Rosa Coeli, Rosa Mundi, Rose Inferni.
Paris: Ph. Renouard, 1905, 1907 & 1907. First Edition / Limited edition. Softcovers. 3 Volumes, Folios. "Rosa Mundi"(1905): (viii)+ 16 + (iv) pp., Original rose-colored wrappers; "Rosa Inferni" (1907): (viii) + 8 + (iv)pp. Original rust-colored wrappers; "Rosa Coeli"(1907): (viii) + 18 + (iv)pp. Original medium blue wrappers. Each with a frontispiece color lithograph of a reclining female nude executed by Clot after a pencil and wash design by Auguste Rodin. The copy of "Rosa Mundi" is one of only 10 copies on China paper (there were also 488 copies on handmade paper and 2 copies on vellum); the copies of "Rosa Inferni" (1907) and "Rosa Coeli" are each one of an edition of 488 copies on handmade paper (there were also 10 copies on China made paper and 2 copies on vellum). Three suites of poems written by Crowley for his then-wife, Rose. The frontispiece of each is a reproduction of an artwork which Rodin presented to Crowley during a visit in 1903. Rodin gave him ten of these pictures, seven of which Crowley used in "Rodin in Rhyme" with one each of the remaining three being used in "the Rosa's". The "Rosa" series is actually far scarcer than its limitation implies: apparently much of the stock was stored in a warehouse that flooded, and was thus destroyed or damaged. The three volumes housed in a modern custom made black book-cloth folder with paper spine label, which is in near-Fine condition. Surviving "Rosa" volumes themselves are seldom seen in good condition due to their size and the fragility of their wrappers. Condition of books: "Rosa Mundi": wrappers darkened and flecked at edges, chips at corners - including a thumbprint sized chip from the bottom corner of the rear wrapper - spine largely chipped away and thus gatherings starting to separate. Front and rear blanks darkened by offset from wrappers (as always), corners a little rounded and a few creases. Pages largely unopened, very light, even toning, otherwise unmarked. "Rosa Inferni": wrappers darkened and with significant chipping to the edges; spine largely chipped away and thus gatherings starting to separate. Front and rear blanks darkened by offset from wrappers (as always), corners a little rounded and a few creases. Loosely inserted tissue guard, but despite this the plate has offset some shadowing onto the title-page. Otherwise pages fresh and clean. Rosa Coeli" spine largely chipped away and thus gatherings starting to separate, wrappers a little darkened and with some chips, a few larger chips and creases to the front edge of the rear wrapper. Front and rear blanks darkened by offset from wrappers (as always), corners a little rounded and with a few creases. Some pages unopened, the original tissue guard is loosely inserted, and rather ironically has off-set onto the title-page it was meant to protect, causing some shadowing. So: in brief: all volumes have their original wrappers, but their spines are largely chipped away and the wrappers are generally chipped and lightly soiled, and close to por partially detaching. The volumes are thus complete and unrestored, overall in G+ condition. Sets are increasingly scarce in any condition, and even when encountered as individual volumes they have often been rebound. Due to their size and value additional shipping and insurance to that automatically quoted will be required - the total depending upon the destination. Item #71038
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