The Book of Thoth; A Short Essay on the Tarot of the Egyptians, being the Equinox Volume III No. V
London: OTO/Chiswick Press Ltd., 1944. First Edition. Hardcover. Quarto. xii + 288 + [iv] pp. Original magnificent quarter leather binding with papered boards with Egyptian motif by Sangorski & Sutcliffe. Gilt title and OTO lamen and cartouche stamped on spine. Tipped in color plates of tarot designs, b&w illustrations. Printed by the Chiswick Press on Arnold Unbleached paper. Top edge gilt. The First Edition of Crowley's masterwork on the tarot, with color and black and white reproductions of the card designs by Frieda Harris. Edition limited to 200 copies signed and numbered by Crowley, this being copy No. 198, and signed simply "Aleister Crowley." Obviously one of the last copies issued. Now housed in a modern custom clamshell box covered in dark orange Italian Canappetta book cloth, trays lined with brown felt, with gilt stamped leather title-label. Box in fine condition. The spine is darkened and the front leather hinge of the book is a little rubbed and showing signs of wear - it is holding firm and the board is not at all wobbly - but if the book is treated roughly it may start to split. The paper covered boards quite darkened and are rubbed at the edges and rubbed through and rounded at the points (this was quite common with the book due to the soft Egyptian style paper in which the boards were covered). Internally it is bright and clean. As noted, boards show some wear and the book will need to be treat with respect, but still an attactive better than VG example of this magnificent publication and one of the last copies to be issued.
Obviously due to the value of the book additional shipping and insurance and will apply to all orders, the exact amount dependant upon the destination. Item #71007
Price: $6,850.00