The Equinox, Vol. I No. I (Volume One, Number One); The Official Organ of the A.:.A.:.; The Review of Scientific Illuminism
London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co. Ltd., March 1909. First Edition. Hardcover, Small quarto, (9.5 x 7.38 inches). pp. (X) + 256 + 140 + (viii adverts) Original printed papered boards, with later fabric spine with paper title-label. Illustrations. This copy from the collection of Joseph C. Crombie, (1908-1971), IX degree, O.T.O., an initiate of the Agape Lodge in California, who was also an associate of Louis T. Culling, with whom he undertook a ritual in 1942 aimed at bringing an American edition of "The Book of the Law" into being. With Crombie's bookplate (a generic man-o-war design with his name typed underneath) on the front pastedown. The first issue of Volume I of Aleister Crowley's occult journal "The Equinox." 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. The contents of this volume include: An Account Of A.'. A.'., Liber Librae, Liber Exercitiorum, The Wizard Way, The Chymical Jousting Of Brother Perardua, At The Fork Of The Roads, The Magician, The Soldier And The Hunchback: ! And ?, The Hermit ,The Temple Of Solomon The King (Book I), The Herb Dangerous --- (Part I) A Pharmaceutical Study. Also The Magic Glasses, by Frank Harris, The Lonely Bride by Victor B. Neuburg and a 'Special Supplement' comprising John St. John --- The Record of the Magical Retirement of G. H. Frater O.'. M.'. This issue includes the famous hooded portrait of Crowley as "The Silent Watcher," two other black and white photographic plates, and the colour illustration "The Regimen of the Seven" by J.F.C. Fuller. 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 volume has been expertly rebacked in a fabric matching that that of the original, and is supplied with a "distressed" facsimile title label. The paper-covered boards are a little rounded at the corners, and are lightly rubbed and a little dusty, with some light chipping to the edges. The pages are uniformly toned, but not brittle. Over all a VG or better copy in much better-than-average condition. Because of the rebacking the volume can be safely opened and read without fear of damaging the spine. No dustjacket (none issued). Item #66099
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