This is an extremely rare complete collection of the First Impressions Series (Mandrake Press & Holmes) printed in 1993. The set includes all the books Mandrake published for the series (note: some of the books planned for the series were never produced because the project became too expensive to continue). There are 16 books included in this set and they all have MATCHING LIMITED EDITION NUMBERS (12 of 50, all hand-numbered). It would be difficult to find all of these books individually these days, let alone find a set with all matching numbers. These are the UK-London produced Mandrake Press editions of the books. The project ran over budget, and the books were very expensive to produce. They were a labor of love by this publisher. They went to the Warburg Institute and were allowed to make exact photographic reproductions of the Crowley materials. They have been faithfully reproduced to the exact size and dimensions as the originals and include facsimiles of Crowley’s original notes, drawings, and marginalia. Each book is bound in leather, has marble. End-papers, a cloth bookmark attached, and gold gilt on the edges of the pages and titles on spine. All of the books are the HARDCOVER versions! The set includes all the books listed below. Also included are the publisher’s list that was. Included in this set. Volume 1 – The Giant’s Thumb by. Over 300 pages of Aleister Crowley’s poetry. At the time of issue, this volume of Crowley’s had never appeared in publication. Includes his proof reading marks, corrections, and notations in his own handwriting as this was produced AC’s own copy, and includes his humorous indictment of Norman Mudd, the “book thief”, who stole it “from the table by my bed”. It is 316 pages plus Crowley’s book catalogue. Limited Edition (#12 of 50). Volume 2 – Olla, an Anthogy of Sixty Years of Song, by Aleister Crowley. 128, first title within floral border and vignette, second title reproduced from the first edition. Quarter black morocco, buckram over boards, marbled pastedowns. A reprint of Olla, originally a limited edition of Crowley’s poems, first published by the O. In 1946 in London. Volume 3 – Gargoyles by Aleister Crowley. Black quarter leather, over cloth boards. A reproduction of “Gargoyles” originally published in an edition of 363 copies in 1906. The book is a collection of verse by Crowley, dedicated to a romantic interest named Lola who he met just as he was about to break up with his wife Rose. Volume 4 – Mortadello by Aleister Crowley. (ii)+ xvi + 122 pp. First Impressions printing of Crowley’s play originally published by Wieland in 1912. Robeson read the play but declined, saying: I’m afraid it’s no use. You see, there are certain lines and gestures which the British public would not care to see enacted between a Negro and a white woman. As for the American stage, why, if I were to produce it over there, someone in the audience would get up and shoot me with a revolver! Limited Edition (#12 of 50). Volume 5 – Songs of the Spirit by Aleister Crowley. Black leather spine lettered in gilt, black cloth boards, marbled end-papers, ribbon marker, edges gilt. Facsimile reprint of the 1898 first edition no. 5 of a “Series of Rare Works by Aleister Crowley”. In his autobiography “Confessions”, Crowley said of this book: The’wish-phantasm’ of the book is principally that of a wise and holy man living in a lonely tower, master of the secrets of nature. In practice, I was living for pleasure. Volume 6 – The Mother’s Tragedy by Aleister Crowley. Reproduction of the Privately Printed, 1901 First Edition. Crowley wrote of that the love lyrics in this collection: treat love not as an object in itself, but on the contrary, as a dragon ready to devour and one less than St. Volume 7 – The Soul of Osiris by Aleister Crowley. (iv)+ + 130 pp (+ iv). Gilt stamping to spine. Marbled end-papers, black ribbon marker. A collection of poetry in four chapters. “The Soul of Osiris” was originally published by Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co. In 1901 and was one of the few books of Crowley’s to attract critical acclaim. Volume 8 – In Residence, the Don’s Guide to Cambridge by Aleister Crowley. Quarter leather bound; all edges gilt; place marker ribbon; marbled end-papers. A selection of poetry by Aleister Crowley. Reproduction of the Cambridge 1904 edition, x + 94 + 18pp adverts (mainly for Crowley’s publications & an advert for an essay competition) + intact competition application slip. Volume 9 – Biblia Cabalistica by Walter Begley. Quarter leather bound, all edges gilt; place marker ribbon; marbled end-papers. A reproduction of a rare esoteric work originally issued in 50 copies only. Begley had some ties to the Order of the Golden Dawn. Volume 11 – Mysteries of Eleusis – by M. Facsimile of the 1818 edition. Volume 16 – Household Gods by Aleister Crowley. Reproduction of the original 1912 first edition. A play dedicated to Leila Waddell. Crowley wrote that the work is a sort of magical allegory, full of subtle ironies and mystification; almost the only thing of its kind I have ever done – which perhaps accounts for my having a sneaking affection for it. Volume 17 – Goetia by Aleister Crowley. Folio (13 x 10 inches). Eccentrically paginated, but approx. Facsimile edition of Crowley’s personal copies with his additional hand written notes and drawings. Includes many notes from G. Yorke, two Enochian calls – hand written by Alostrael (Leah Hirsig) previously unpublished pictures of the talismans of the seven planets painted by Crowley for his Temple of L. In Mexico, descriptions of the 49 servitors of Beelzebub, and a previously unpublished self-portrait by Crowley showing him invoking Paimon. Volume 18 – Why Jesus Wept by Aleister Crowley. In quarter leather and boards with marbled end-papers and ribbon marker. Facsimile of the first edition 1904. At the end of this volume, a facsimile of the privately printed 1st edition of the poetic play, there are two pages with also reproduced handwritten notes by Crowley. Volume 19 – Little Poems in Prose b. Y Charles Baudelaire (Author), Aleister Crowley (Translator). In red leather and boards with marbled end-papers and ribbon marker. Facsimile edition of Crowley’s personal copy of the first edition with his notes and corrections; Together with 12 copperplate engravings from the original drawings by Jean De Bosschere (from the second edition). The twelve engravings reproduced from Anais Nin’s personal copy in which she painted eleven of the illustrations with water colors. Volume 20 – Chicago May by Aleister Crowley. A reprint of one of the rarest Crowley works first published in 1904. Chicago May was the nickname of a beautiful Irish-born prostitute and criminal May Duignan who was called Queen of the Crooks. Crowley borrowed the nickname and gave it to his lover Mary d’Este Sturges (Mary Desti). He wrote the poem around the time of their break-up: so needless to say it’s unflattering to say the least. This First Impressions edition was the second and only other publication of the work after the First Edition. Volume 21 – Amphora by. Facsimile reprint of a copy of the original edition containing handwritten additions by Crowley. This book is on of Crowley’s most famous practical jokes. In 1908, Crowley anonymously submitted the book of verse to Catholic publishers Burnes and Oates. The publishers overlooked the dubious theology and lesbian undertones and published the book under the title “Amphora”. Please note the sizes are my best guess as many of the books are irregular sizes and shapes. They were imported from the UK from the original owner. I’ve done my best to be a good caretaker of the books. I stored them carefully, dusted them, and made sure they were stored in climate-controlled and humidity controlled environments. All the books in the collection are near mint condition. I’d be happy to send any additional photos as well. Obviously having a complete set with matching numbers adds to the value as well. Thanks for checking out this posting. Reasonable best offers will be considered! (Note: the bookends in the first photo are NOT included). The item “Aleister Crowley COMPLETE First Impressions Collection RARE Occult LIMITED Mint” is in sale since Sunday, January 19, 2020. This item is in the category “Books\Antiquarian & Collectible”. The seller is “payov-jo” and is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Publisher: First Impressions (Mandrake Press & Holmes)
- Region: Europe
- Subject: Religion & Spirituality
- Place of Publication: London, UK
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
- Author: Aleister Crowley
- Topic: Occult
- Year Printed: 1993
- Language: English
- Special Attributes: 1st Edition
- Original/Facsimile: Facsimile
- Binding: Leather
