[Crowley (Aleister)], "Rev. C. Verey". Clouds Without Water, first edition, printed on Van Gelder Zonen hand-made paper, original cream wrappers, light creasing and browning to spine, slight marking and surface-soiling to covers, a near-fine example, preserved in folding chemise and morocco-backed slip-case, [Yorke 29], small 4to, Privately Printed for circulation among ministers of religion, 1909.

⁂ The rare state "b", often used by Crowley for presentation to friends. Crowley also ordered 2 copies to be printed on vellum as well as a more common (though still scarce) state "c" (see next lot).

Crowley here pretends to be the fictitious censorious clergyman Verey, ostensibly attacking the poetry contained in the work which in reality allowed the author to both publish poetry celebrating satanic worship and lampoon the disapproving reaction it would likely provoke.