CROWLEY, Aleister.

The Works of Aleister Crowley [ also known as The Collected Works of Aleister Crowley ] ( 3 Volume set, complete ).

Des Plaines, Illinois: Yogi Publication Society, ND [ Circa 1990s ]. Reprints. Hardcovers. Octavos. Three volumes (complete set); x + 270pp & 284pp & 248pp. Bound in Yogi Publishing Society's distinctive red faux leather with gilt title, and symbols to upper cover and spine, publisher's device and blind rules on upper boards, b&w frontispiece and illustrations. A full set of this nicely produced three volume reprint. Because the Yogi Publication Society reprinted the set numerous times over three or more decades, "mixed" sets of the different printings are quite common, as is this set in which Vol. III is slightly darker covers and the gilt titling etc is much duller than on Vols. I & II. "The Works of Aleister Crowley" - more commonly known as "The Collected Works" - was originally published between 1905 and 1907, and basically gathered together most of Crowley's work that had been published up until the release of the third volume in 1907. It was edited by his friend, Ivor Back, who provided a short Preface to Vol. I. The content was largely poetry and plays, although the set did include a magical essay, "Berashith", which was first published in 1903, and a number of previously unpublished or especially revised pieces, notably a lengthy "epilogue and dedication" entitled "Eleusis." For obvious reasons it omitted altogether Crowley's "obscene" works: "White Stains" and "Snowdrops from a Curate's Garden," and the dubious "Alexandra." It does, however, include "The Sword of Song", which has an Appendix (Ambrosi Magi Hortus Rosarum) the initial letters of some of the hanging notes of which spelled out indecencies, some of which are still considered unprintable. NOTE PLEASE: as described, there is a noticeable difference in the colour and gilt of the binding of Vol. III, compared to Volumes I & II. Otherwise all volumes have just a bit of light shelfwear, spine ends and corners lightly bruised and rubbed, corners of Vol. I are lightly bumped. Still a tight unmarked VG+ set, (no dust jackets issued). Now out-of-print in this Yogi Publication Society hardcover edition. Additional shipping may be required on some orders. Item #70974
ISBN: 0911662510

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