The Stratagem and Other Stories.
London: The Mandrake Press, 1930. First edition. Hardcover. Small octavo. 140pp. Original gold & black imitation-snake skin patterned boards with black cloth spine with white paper title label. A first edition of the collection of three novellas by Crowley: "The Stratagem," "His Secret Sin," and "The Testament of Magdalen Blair". 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 half title page. "The Testament of Magdalen Blair " paints a particularly nasty picture of what happens to human beings after they die, which is indeed so nasty that it has been described in the Penguin Encyclopaedia of Horror & Supernatural as "one of the most horrible stories ever written." Boards lightly rubbed and faintly warped. Some light bumping and chafing to corners, edges and spine with some minor loss and tiny tears to cloth of spine gutters (this particular cloth seems to have been very attractive to moths, and copies of often seen thus). Spine label a bit darkened - though complete and legible. Front-free endpaper neatly excised - overall a sold, unmarked Good only copy (lacking dust jacket). Item #68427
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