The Unknown God: W. T. Smith and the Thelemites.
Bolingbrook, IL: Teitan Press, Inc., 2003. First Edition. Hardcover. Large octavo. xii + 416pp. Blue cloth with gilt title, etc. to spine, gilt sigil on front cover, frontis, photographs. The first documentary study of Aleister Crowley's contemporary followers in North America, told through the life of their de facto leader, Wilfred Talbot Smith. This copy from the library of British artist, writer and musician DAVID TIBET (founder of the music group Current 93) with his OWNERSHIP SIGNATURE on the reverse of the first blank. Wilfred Talbot Smith (1885-1957) was introduced to Crowley's works by Charles Stansfeld Jones (Frater Achad) in Canada, in 1912. Smith met Crowley only once, but their twenty year correspondence povided a major link between the Beast and his followers in the United States and Canada. Smith's spiritual life centered first on the initiatic structure of the Order of the A.·.A.·., complimented by the emerging fraternal and social schemes of the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO). Smith followed Jones into a few all but-forgotten movements like the Universal Brotherhood and the Psychomagian Society. Obviously it includes much on Jack Parsons and Smith's other associates in Agape Lodge. The merest hint of bruising to upper corners and lower spine, very faint musty odour - otherwise a tight, bright near Fine copy in near-Fine dust jacket (dust jacket has just a touch of shelf-wear, now protected by removable mylar sleeve). Item #68362
ISBN: 093342907X
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