For Aleister Crowley a book was a talisman and their every part right
down to colour, dimension, and price was symbolic. He also used
magical techniques to gain literary success--thus new editions of
Crowley's writing multiply daily, tantalizing the bibliographer.
All the more indispensable is this authoritative guide to his
magical first editions. Timothy d'Arch Smith, widely acknowledged
as a leading expert on Crowley and on underground literature,
offers several shorter articles on Oxford's demonologist Montague
Summers; R A Caton and his Fortune Press; Sexual prophet Ralph
Chubb; Florence Farr; The British Library Private Case; and on
the author himself. For this new edition, he also adds an extra
chapter on Crowley.
'd'Arch Smith's lines lead him through a Wonderland thronged with occultists and bibliophiles (Curiosa and curiosa...); one could hardly wish for a more stimulating guide... The London Magazine
'One of the more immediately striking things about the book is its gentle humour.' Time Out