CROWLEY, Aleister (1875–1947). Liber XXI: Khing Kang King, the Classic of Purity. London: O.TO., 1938.
Large folio (445 x 286 mm). (Minor spotting throughout). Original half red buckram, decorative paste–paper sides (few marred spots to covers, also with some offsetting or dust soiling).
FIRST EDITION, LIMITED ISSUE, number 4 of 100 copies SIGNED BY CROWLEY on the limitation AND WITH A FULL–PAGE ORIGINAL PEN AND INK DRAWING BY CROWLEY on the verso of the title–page. ADDITIONALLY INSCRIBED BY CROWLEY on half–title to Evelyn Pearl Brooksmith (neé Driver), widow of Captain Eldred S. Brooksmith and Crowley’s last scarlet woman (sexual/magical consort): “To Evelyn, with love, on her birthday, Aleister Crowley”. (See Crowley’s copy at the Lilly Library with his list of recorded limitation numbers of who received this book). Originally issued unbound, the binding was “at the choice of the purchaser and some copies had a small original pen and ink drawing by A.C. on the verso of the title–page” (Cornelius, Crowley Desk Reference).
Although the limitation states 100 copies are signed and numbered, and each with an original drawing, “far fewer than 100 seem to have survived and by no means all are signed. The promised pen and ink drawing appears on the back of the title page, in only a few copies” (Yorke). A very rare title that is virtually unobtainable with only two copies having sold in the rooms with the last appearing in 1971 (Crowley’s copy). York 66.