[Rarebooks] FS - Aleister Crowley 1st

[GREENFIELD BOOKS]

CROWLEY, Aleister. /THE DIARY OF A DRUG FIEND/. Bound in original dark 
blue cloth ruled & lettered in orange/red. Ryerson Press, Toronto. ND 
(1922). Small 8vo, pp. x, 368. First Canadian edition.
     
Crowley (1875-1947) was a British writer, magician and rake. He became 
interested in the occult when he attended Cambridge, and later founded 
the order known as the Silver Star. He travelled widely, settling in 
Sicily with a group of willing acolytes. Rumours of drugs, orgies, and 
magical ceremonies lead to his expulsion from Italy. He delighted to be 
referred to as "The Beast" and the "wickedest man alive". His magnum 
opus was "Diary of a Drug Fiend", which lauds the use of heroin in 
perverse rituals.

First published in England by Collins, in 1922, then in the U.S. by 
Dutton in 1923, this is the first Canadian edition, bound from the 
British sheets. Reprinted many times. This copy shows rubbing to the 
extremities of the boards. There is a crease down the centre of the 
spine, with some abrasion to the red/orange spine lettering. Light 
general soiling to the boards, but nothing untoward. The hinges are 
tight, and the endpapers clean - no former owner's markings. Altogether 
a good copy of a scarce title. No dust jacket.

Price: $650.00.

Terms of sale - The price is net in USD. Payment by check or credit 
card. Postage, packing and insurance charge is $7.50. Returnable within 
seven days of receipt if not as described.

 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Greenfield Books Ltd.
Member: ABAC/ILAB
217 Academy Road,
Winnipeg, MB R3M 0E3 Canada
Toll-free: 866-263-BOOK (2665)
Telephone: 204-488-2023
Web site: http://www.greenfieldbooks.com
*Secure credit card payment service available*