The Key of Solomon the King (Clavicula Salomonis).
New York, NY: Samuel Weiser, Inc., 1972. First Edition Thus. Hardcover. Small quarto. xii + 128 pp. Original blue cloth with gilt title, etc. to spine, frontis, b/w illustrations. Long accounted as amongst "the most famous, or infamous, of all magical textbooks" this edition of the "Key of Solomon" is based on 7 manuscripts then housed in the British Museum. The translation is by S. L. MacGregor Mathers, one of the founders and leaders of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, occult scholar, and nemesis of Aleister Crowley. It was first published in 1888, reprinted in 1909, and remained out-of-print except for shabby pirate productions until this important edition, with a new introduction by Richard Cavendish, was finally published in 1972. The editior, Richard Cavendish (1930-2016), was an Oxford-educated author who wrote numerous accessible but reliable books on different aspects of the occult, mythology, religion and the tarot and was editor of the ground-breaking "Man Myth and Magic" series. Edges a little darkened, a little light toning to pages, else a tight, bright VG+ copy in VG+ dust jacket (rear panel of dust jacket a little darkened and with short tear from top edge, edges a little rubbed, not price clipped. Now protected by removable mylar sleeve). Item #70570
ISBN: 0877282110
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