HALL, David [ From the David Tibet collection ].

An original typescript of "Beelzebub and The Beast: A Study of the Teachings of George Gurdjieff and Aleister Crowley" [ together with a later copy and two apparently unpublished short typescript ].

NP, (1970s). Unbound. Quarto (11 1/2 x 8inch) typing paper. Eccentrically paginated (approx. 274 sheets, typed on the rectos only). Numerous manuscript alterations and corrections in David Hall's hand. Loosely contained in an old brick-red card document wallet, with a contemporary label with the book's title and Hall's Hertfordshire address typed on it, and his telephone number added in manuscript. Written in large letters next to this is David Tibet's signature, and "Given to me by David Hall."
As the title indicates, the book is a comparative study of the life and works of Aleister Crowley and George Ivanovich Gurdjieff, in which the author, David Hall, draws some interesting conclusions about common historical roots of both men's work.
David Hall (1942-2007), developed an early interest in mysticism and magick, and became a familiar figure in the British occult scene in the 1970s, especially as, with Jan Bailey and Mike Magee, he was editor and publisher of the popular (largely Thelemic) occult journal "Sothis". He apparently finished "Beelzebub and the Beast" around 1976, and tried to interest a publisher, but without success. Kenneth Grant, to whom he showed it, was greatly impressed, referring to it as an "excellent study" in his "Nightside of Eden" (1977). At first it appeared that Grant's own publisher, Muller, would take the work on, but for reasons unknown that failed to eventuate and after a while Hall abandoned his attempts to get it into print. Over the years his interests changed: in the 1990s he converted to Islam, writing a number of works on the subject, but in his later years his enthusiasm for this and other religion-based mysticism seems to have waned and he moved towards a more humanist perspective.
The typescript of "Beelzebub and the Beast" stayed in his papers, largely forgotten. It was, however, remembered by his friend and the publisher of Starfire, Michael Staley, and after Hall's funeral he asked around to see if anyone still have the typescript. It transpired that another friend of Hall's, the British artist, writer and musician (founder of the music group Current 93) David Tibet had inherited a number of Hall's books and papers, including the typescript of "Beelzebub and the Beast." Tibet loaned Staley the typescript, and after obtaining permission to publish from the heirs of Hall's literary estate, it went to press under the Starfire imprint in 2012. Staley subsequently returned the typescript to David Tibet, from whose collection it is now offered.
When Staley returned the original typescript he included a spiral bound photocopy of it, which is also included here. David Tibet has written the book's short title, and "by David Hall" and SIGNED it, in large letters on the cover-sheet of this copy. In addition to the two main typescripts there are two apparently unpublished short typescripts (both ca. 1970s). One is a very detailed 5 page review of Whitall N. Perry's "Gurdjieff in the Light of Tradition" (1978) and the other a 23 page essay "Gurdjieff and Orthodox Tradition." Neither is signed, but both are presumably by David Hall, and we cannot find any reference to them having been published.
The main typescript of "Beelzebub and the Beast" has a tea splash on the first page, and modest creasing to the edges - as would be expected in an unbound typescript over 40 years old. The document wallet in which it is housed is quite shabby, with numerous tears and creases, and some marks. The later Michael Staley generated photocopy is in VG+ condition, save for a long deep scratch in the clear actetate cover sheet at the front. The two apparently unpublished short typescripts are both in VG+ condition. Obviously a unique collection. Item #68474

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