Item #66595 The Magical Record of the Beast 666. The Diaries of Aleister Crowley 1914-1920. Aleister CROWLEY, John Symonds - SIGNED by, Kenneth Grant.
The Magical Record of the Beast 666. The Diaries of Aleister Crowley 1914-1920.

The Magical Record of the Beast 666. The Diaries of Aleister Crowley 1914-1920.

London: Duckworth, 1972. First Edition. Hardcover. Large octavo. xvi + 326pp. Red cloth with gilt title, etc. to spine. Index. This copy SIGNED by Editor John Symonds on the title page and with an amusing correction to a footnote in his handwriting (see further below). The first UK trade edition of the important first publication of Crowley's American and early Cefalu period diaries, which covers virtually the whole of Crowley's American sojourn, from shortly after his arrival in 1914 to his departure in 1919, his subsequent travels, and early days at Cefalu in 1920. In it he recorded not only day to day events, but his magical workings, experiments with sex magick and drugs (hence he termed them his "Magical Record"). The correction by Symonds is to footnote 1 on page 267. This references the word "spinthriae" which in the printed footnote Symonds has translated as "sparks" but which he has corrected to read "arseholes." The word "spinthriae"/"spintriae" seems to have had a variety of (generally sexual) meanings in the classical world, one of which was "analist": i.e. one who was not averse to taking sexual pleasure "per vas nefandum," and it is this meaning that Symonds presumably remarks upon. From the collection of Clive Harper with his discreet book-label neatly tipped in at the rear. Harper is well- known as the bibliographer of Austin Osman Spare, for updating the Aleister Crowley bibliography in the 2011 Teitan Press collection of Gerald Yorke's writings, and as someone who has lent his expertise to numerous other publications. Some rubbing and bruising to all edges, corners and spine ends. Page edges a bit darkened and lightly foxed, else a tight, bright, VG+ copy in VG dust jacket (dust jacket a bit rubbed spine ends, edges & corners chafed with a few short tears, price clipped. Now protected in mylar cover). A wonderful copy with the Symond's signature and "correction." Item #66595
ISBN: 01715606360

Sold