THE HOLY BOOKS OF THELEMA

York Beach (Maine): Samuel Weiser, 1983. First edition. Hardcover. A near fine clean copy (small bookstore label to bottom of the half-title page) in a near fine clean dust jacket. This first edition copy has been signed by Frater Hymenaeus Alpha who wrote the Preface to this edition, the first published collection of the fourteen Holy Books received by Crowley. It could well be called the bible of Thelema. Crowley considered these books to be theophanies--divinely inspired and beyond criticism. They form the kernel of
his developmental system, and reveal the essence of his mission to mankind. This collection was prepared by Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.) using painstaking editorial techniques to reproduce the most reliable source for each book. Every effort has been made to adhere to the formal prerequisites for publication. Technical questions were resolved in accordance with Crowley's instructions wherever possible. A comprehensive preface by Frater Hymenaeus Alpha, Caliph of the O.T.O., surveys the sensitive issues concerning the editorial handling of revealed material. Crowley's writings concerning the Holy Books are excerpted, including his diaries for the period. Through these, the chronology of the Holy Books' reception is outlined for the first time. In addition, Crowley's own summary of his magical development up to the reception of the Holy Books is given its first publication, editorially referenced to his widely-available 'Confessions'. A synthetic synopsis provides the reader with a concise introduction to each Holy Book in Crowley's own words, conveniently arranged by title for ease of study. Three appendices have been prepared especially for this edition: An in-depth study of the Stele of Revealing that includes three separate translations of the Egyptian text of this link with antiquity. Also included is the first authentic photograph to be published in the magical literature. A comprehensive list of Thelemic technical writings, arranged by number, class and title, and finally an annotated bibliography of the Holy Books. The traditional "Hello", the #93 is stamped under the half-title page.