Lot 98
Crowley (Aleister) Household Gods, first edition, two signed presentation inscriptions from the author, 1912.
Hammer Price: £4,000
Description
Crowley (Aleister) Household Gods, first edition, two signed presentation inscriptions from the author "To A. K. C. (Ananda K. Coomaraswamy, mongrel pup) from the author. June 1916." and "To Gerda von Kothek from Aleister Crowley Sept. 1916 E.V." to endpaper, autograph letter fromt Crowley signed "666" loosely inserted, some very light marginal toning, original buckram, lettered in gilt, light browning to spine and toning to covers, t.e.g., other uncut, [Yorke 36], small 4to, Palanza, Privately Printed [but probably London, Chiswick Press], 1912.
⁂ An excellent double-presentation copy that paints an illuminating picture of Crowley's tangled love life.
Crowley met "AKC" while staying in New York and swiftly began an affair with his wife, Ratan Devi. AKC allegedly did not mind the affair and merely asked Crowley to find him a mistress of his own, with Crowley only too happy to oblige. The woman picked out for AKC was a former lover of Crowley's and part-time sex worker Gerda von Kothek. Inevitably the somewhat complex affair collapsed, with Crowley alleging that AKC became jealous of him once Ratan Devi's career as a singer and musician began to flourish.
The letter, addressed to Frank West-Kelsey castigates him for unspecified reasons "The Patient can never judge his own case - and, Lord! You need a doctor!"
Description
Crowley (Aleister) Household Gods, first edition, two signed presentation inscriptions from the author "To A. K. C. (Ananda K. Coomaraswamy, mongrel pup) from the author. June 1916." and "To Gerda von Kothek from Aleister Crowley Sept. 1916 E.V." to endpaper, autograph letter fromt Crowley signed "666" loosely inserted, some very light marginal toning, original buckram, lettered in gilt, light browning to spine and toning to covers, t.e.g., other uncut, [Yorke 36], small 4to, Palanza, Privately Printed [but probably London, Chiswick Press], 1912.
⁂ An excellent double-presentation copy that paints an illuminating picture of Crowley's tangled love life.
Crowley met "AKC" while staying in New York and swiftly began an affair with his wife, Ratan Devi. AKC allegedly did not mind the affair and merely asked Crowley to find him a mistress of his own, with Crowley only too happy to oblige. The woman picked out for AKC was a former lover of Crowley's and part-time sex worker Gerda von Kothek. Inevitably the somewhat complex affair collapsed, with Crowley alleging that AKC became jealous of him once Ratan Devi's career as a singer and musician began to flourish.
The letter, addressed to Frank West-Kelsey castigates him for unspecified reasons "The Patient can never judge his own case - and, Lord! You need a doctor!"
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