CROWLEY, Aleister [ Association copy - from the libraries of Louis Umfreville Wilkinson and later Oliver Marlow Wilkinson ].

The Book Of The Law [technically called Liber AL vel Legis, sub figura CCXX as delivered by XCIII = 418 to DCLXVI].

Pasadena: Privately issued: The O.T.O. / Church of Thelema, 1938 [1942]. First U.S. Edition. Softcover, small octavo (5 x 6 1/2 inches) 50pp. (+ 6pp adverts at rear) Booklet stapled in gilt-stamped blue wrappers, with title and A.'. A.'. sigil gilt stamped on upper wrapper.
The First U.S. Edition of "The Book of the Law," this copy from the library of Aleister Crowley's close friend, Louis Wilkinson, with his ownership name and address ("Louis Wilkinson / Hazelbury Bryan / Sturminster Newton / Dorset") on the half-title page and his markings on the pages throughout. Louis Umfreville Wilkinson (1881-1966) was an English man-of-letters who wrote a number of satirical autobiographical and fictional works, mostly under the pseudonym "Louis Marlow." He was a good friend of Crowley's, the two had an extensive correspondence, and Crowley respected Louis Wilkinson's literary skills to the extent that he engaged him to prepare a popular edition of Crowley's commentaries on "Liber AL." Crowley also made Louis Wilkinson one of his executors, and it was Wilkinson who caused some uproar amongst the more excitable members of the press and public by reading from Crowley's "Hymn to Pan" and other of his works at the Beast's funeral. Louis's son, Oliver, also knew Crowley well; indeed he was the one that found Crowley the rooms at Netherwood that became his final home and Crowley, along with John Cowper Powys, is said to have jointly shared the honour of being Oliver's godfather. Following his father's death in 1966 Oliver Wilkinson inherited many of the Crowley books and papers that had belonged to Louis, including a large number of letters, signed, and inscribed items. This copy of "The Book of the Law" was amongst the items that he inherited from his father Louis.
In the 1980s, following an approach by publisher Tony Naylor, Oliver refreshed his interest in Crowley, meeting with a number of contemporary Crowley afficiandos, and writing an Introduction to a new edition of his father's book "Seven Friends" which included a chapter-long reminiscense of Crowley.
In 2021 Weiser Antiquarian books acquired the remains of Oliver's Crowley collection, which comprised some of the books and pieces of ephemera that had belonged to his father, as well as books that he himself had bought or been given in the 1980s and 1990s. A small posthumous book-label, tipped in at the rear, identifies it as having come from his collection.
This edition was prepared by Wilfred Talbot Smith ("Frater Omnia Velle Nihil" = "Frater V.O.V.N." = "Frater Voven" / "Frater 132", 1885-1957), a pioneer of Thelema in North America: an early member of British Columbia Lodge No 1 of the O.T.O., then head of Agape Lodge of the O.T.O. in California, founder of "The Church of Thelema," a long term associate of Aleister Crowley, and subject of Martin Starr's biography "The Unknown God." The text of this edition was directly from the British edition of 1938, although it omits the final three leaves of notices and advertisements, and instead adds a two page notice headed simply "O.T.O." comprising material about the Order extracted from "The Equinox." According to Smith's biographer, Martin P. Starr, the reset text was carefully checked, but in a typical case of overlooking the obvious, they forgot to replace the original publication date on the title page (1938) with the intended publication date October 31, 1942. In a perhaps deliberate acknowledgement of wartime sensitivities, the words "Democracy Dodders" which had been the very first sentence of the fifth chapter the Introduction were omitted. The book was published under the imprint of The Church of Thelema, 1003 S. Orange Grove Avenue, Pasadena California. It is a handsome production, and is one of the few Thelemic publications prepared by a follower of which Crowley himselfis known to have approved.
As noted, from the library of Louis Wilkinson with his ownership name and address on the front free end-paper. Approx. 14 pages have vertical lines and small crosses inked in the margins, obviously marked thus to remind Louis Wilkinson of particular passages he felt to be significant. One inch tear down spine from the top edge, wrappers have a little shelf wear and some very light marks. General light signs of age and use, but still a VG+ copy. A particularly interesting association copy given Louis Wilkinson's friendship with Crowley and work on his commentaries to "The Book of the Law." Item #69713

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