CROWLEY, Aleister.

Magick In Theory and Practice [ Also known as Book 4. Part III ]; Subscriber's Edition.

Paris: Lecram Press, 1929 [ 1930 ]. Subscriber's Edition. Hardcover Quarto (10 x 8 inches), xxxiv + 436 pp. Maroon buckram with gilt title etc to spine, top edge gilt. A rare SIGNED and INSCRIBED copy of the best issue (bound in buckram with top edge gilt) of the first hardbound edition of Crowley's magnum opus, "Magick in Theory and Practice." Crowley originally had the book issued in four parts, each in paper wrappers, and with an additional color plate, but was apparently disatisfied with the result, and had the plate removed, a new title page prepared, and most copies disbound and rebound in a durable cloth or buckram, to make this, the "Subscriber's Edition." The inscription is on the front free endpaper. Crowley has signed it with a very large, impressive, example of his "phallic A" signature, under which he has to written "to George Edinger." George Edinger (1899-1984), was an English barrister, journalist and author and editor. After serving in the First World War, Edinger studied at Oxford, and in 1928 took a job with "The Sunday Express", a newspaper with which Crowley had a somewhat varied relationship, to put it mildly. In 1929 Edinger, together with E. J. C. Neep, produced a short history and study of "nonsense" humour entitled "Pons Asinorum, or the Future of Nonsense." The book was published by Crowley's erstwhile publisher, Kegan Paul Trench Trubner & Co. as part of the "To-Day and To-Morrow" series, a series of short and sometimes provocative books covering an extraordinarily wide range of topics, with the one common thread being that their authors were expected to briefly explore the history, their contemporary state, and possible future directions of their subjects. The series ran from 1923–1931 and eventually included well over 100 different titles. The series editor was Charles Kay Ogden (1889 – 1957) an English bookseller, linguist, philosopher, and writer, who is often described as a true polymath and great eccentric. Ogden was a friendly acquaintance of Crowley's and they are known to have met and dined together on a few occasions around the time that both Edinger's "Pons Asinorum" and Crowley's "Magick" came out. There were thus many threads connecting Edinger and Crowley. A cynic could suggest that Crowley might have inscribed the book to Edinger as part of a campaign to wangle an invite to write a volume for the "To-Day and To-Morrow" series and seeking to ingratiate himself with those connected with it. Alternatively he might have been hoping that Edinger would make him the subject of a sympathetic article, or his reason might even have been something as stunningly prosaic as that he was acquainted with the author and enjoyed "Pons Asinorum". Whatever the reason, it is a magnificent signature, and signed copies of "Magick" are surprisingly uncommon. From the collection of Clive Harper with his discrete 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. Spine somewhat faded, a touch of discoloration to the boards, a couple of small pen-end sized dents (as if someone has lightly dropped something pointy on it) to the front board. Edges of text-block a little darkened, and with few light marks. Contemporary Foyles of London bookshop label on front pastedown, , endpapers have a little pale shadowing, occasional very light flecking/foxing. Vertical crease to rear endpaper, and light crease across bottom corner of one leaf. Otherwise a tight, clean VG+ copy of a seldom seen inscribed copy (no dust jacket). Item #70222

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