CROWLEY, Aleister [ Master Therion ].

The Book of Thoth. A Short Essay on the Tarot of the Egyptians. Being The Equinox Volume III No. V [ The Book of Thoth, an Interpretation of The Tarot ].

Berkeley CA: K@shmarin Press / Kashmarin Press / Shambala Publications, 1969. First Edition Thus. Hardcover. Small quarto, xii + 288pp. Original brick cloth with gilt title, etc. to spine, illustrations. Artist Executant: Frieda Harris. This edition has a stated limitation of 2000 numbered copies, however, given its comparative scarcity it is hard to believe that such a large number of copies were actually produced. Almost all copies seen are not numbered, as is this copy. The K@shmarin Press edition of Crowley's masterwork on the tarot was the first republication of the work since its first edition of 1944, preceeding the the first Weiser printing of the book by a few months. This copy is complete with the scarce "far-out" dust jacket - a wonderful example of sixties experimental "cut and paste" artwork, with a variety of images including one of the God Horus, various symbols, a small photo of the torso of a semi-nude woman, and the words "far-out" incorporated into the designs. The dust jacket is printed on quite thin stock, and consequently most examples must have been damaged and discarded as it is truly quite scarce. Merest hint of bruising to corners of boards and spine ends (so light that most would not notice it), pages and page edges a little toned. Small publisher's distribution lable at foot of front pastedown has caused a corresponding shadow on the adjoining front free endpaper. Overall a clean, tight, and unmarked VG+ copy in a VG example of the scarce dust jacket (the dust jacket has a number of small chips, short tears, and some chafing at the edges and folds, a few closed on the reverse with acid free paper. Not price clipped. Now protected by removable mylar cover.). Item #74500

Price: $650.00