CROWLEY, Aleister.

The Scented Garden of Abdullah the Satirist of Shiraz [ Bagh I Muattar ].

NP ( East Morton, England ): Morton Press, ND ( circa 1980 ). Facsimile Edition. Hardcover. Octavo (8 1/4 x 5 3/4 inches). 138pp. Full navy-blue faux leather binding with gilt titling to upper cover. Printed on 110 gm beige card stock. "The Scented Garden" is one of Crowley's scarcest works - part homo-erotic parody, part mystical text - its initial printing was small and many copies were apparently destroyed on grounds of obscenity. This Morton Press edition is thought to be the first republication of the work, and is a facsimile of Crowley's own copy with a reproduction of his original ownership inscription on the third leaf. There were two issues, one in maroon and one in blue cloth, precedence is not known. According to the publishers only a "very small" number were produced, and it is now quite scarce, not least because it was "perfect bound" rather than sewn and the book tended to fall apart.
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.
As mentioned, copies were "perfect bound" (ie glued and not sewn) and although this example is as new, copies of this edition are always fragile and easy to damage - a major reason for its rarity. Overall near-Fine condition, although it will have to be handled with extreme care if it is to stay that way. (issued without dust jacket). Item #67719

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