Item #65864 The Equinox. Vol. I No. II. (Volume One, Number Two); The Official Organ of the A.:.A.:.; The Review of Scientific Illuminism. Aleister CROWLEY.

The Equinox. Vol. I No. II. (Volume One, Number Two); The Official Organ of the A.:.A.:.; The Review of Scientific Illuminism

London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co. Ltd., September 1909. First Edition. Hardcover, Small quarto, (9 1/2 x 7 3/8 inches) (viii) + 398pp + (vi adverts). Original printed papered boards, with fabric spine with paper title-label. Illustration "The Signs Of The Grades." Crowley was the editor and principal author of most of the volumes of "The Equinox," which contained a variety of poetry, fiction, and reviews - generally with esoteric themes - alongside a number of articles of occult instruction. This copy is one of the 'Standard Editions' of Vol. I, No. II of "The Equinox." Aside from its Thelemic content, Vol. I, No. II was particularly important as it included the first ever publication of Golden Dawn rituals, with those of the Outer Order being included in the installment of Crowley's magical autobiography, "The Temple of Solomon the King, Book II." The publication of these, and Crowley's declaration that he intended to publish further Golden Dawn rituals including the pivotal "Ritual of the 5 = 6 Adeptus Minor" in the forthcoming continuation of "The Temple of Solomon the King, Book II," in "The Equinox" Vol. I, No. III, outraged S. L. MacGregor-Mathers, Crowley's erstwhile mentor in the Golden Dawn. Mathers took Crowley to court to prevent the publication of Vol. I, No. III, but only succeed in gaining a temporary stay, ultimately losing the case. The courtroom drama is rightly famous for its many farcical and often hilarious moments, and also - by Crowley's account - for first bringing him into contact with Theodor Reuss, then head of O.T.O., an Order which Crowley himself would eventually take over and lead. The contents of this volume also include: Liber O, The Herb Dangerous - (Part II) The Psychology Of Hashish, The Garden Of Janus (a work dedicated to Austin Osman Spare), The Dream Circean, A Note On Genesis, The Opium-Smoker, Postcards To Probationers, The Wild Ass, The Priestess Of Panormita, The Lost Shepherd by Victor B. Neuburg, The Man-Cover by George Raffalovich, The Sphinx At Gizeh by Lord Dunsany, etc. etc. The thin fabric used for the spines of the First Trade Editions of "The Equinox" was notoriously fragile, and is often damaged or missing altogether. In this case
the original backstrip and boards are a close to new as possible. There is a long jagged tear to the top corner of the rear boards: a 3 1/2 x 1 1/2 inch section appears to have almost been torn off, but has been secured back in place with archival quality tissue tape. The boards are a little yellowed, and have one or two light marks, but otherwise the are in superb condition. The title-label is 95% complete, with just a few small chips to the edges. Corners lightly bumped. Were it not for the closed tear to the rear board this would rate as a genuinely VG+ copy of a book that is almost never seen in such clean fresh condition because of its fragile construction. No dustjacket (none issued). A large heavy book that will require some additional shipping and insurance in addition to the amount automatically listed. The exact amount extra will depend on the destination and the method used - we will calculate it and contact you once you've placed your order, or you can enquire beforehand. Item #65864

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