Occult
A carefully selected group of rare occult books-first editions, signed and inscribed copies, plus deluxe limited editions-describing the mystique of witchcraft, black magic, and the supernatural through very rare pamphlets, ephemera, and literature from centuries of esoteric knowledge. This includes, but is not limited to, material of classic occult-type research such as spellcraft and alchemy, as well as books written about subjects usually classed as pseudoscience: astrology, palmistry, and acupuncture. To the scholar, the practitioner, or the collector, this diverse selection offers unique insights into the unseen mysteries of the universe. Follow the aura of such forgotten arts, moving from ancient grimoires to modern times occult writings, and enrich your personal library with very unique volumes standing at the juncture of history, mysticism, and science.
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DOYLE, Arthur Conan. The Case for Spirit Photography.London : [1922]
First edition, presentation copy inscribed at the head of the original front wrapper, "With A. Conan Doyle's Compliments". Writing in defence of the spirit photographer William Hope following allegations of fraud, Doyle describes his own experiences of developing photographic plates that he believed showed supernatural phenomena, and reproduces... Learn More -
GRAVES, Robert. The White Goddess.London : 1948
First edition of the author's influential essay on mythology, in which Graves argues for the existence of a unifying feminine deity behind the many European and pagan goddesses of history. The poetic nature of Graves's argument excited many writers, not least Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath, the former describing the work as "the chief holy book of my... Learn More -
DOYLE, Arthur Conan. The History of Spiritualism.New York : 1926
First edition of Doyle's most important book on Spiritualism, a comprehensive history of the beginnings of the movement which so fascinated him.
The 1920s were, for Doyle, "dominated by a world crusade to evangelise for spiritualism" (ODNB). The History of Spiritualism provides vivid sketches of famous mediums such as the Fox sisters,... Learn More -
CROWLEY, Aleister. Mortadello or the Angel of Venice. A Comedy.London : 1912
First edition, first issue, inscribed by the author to his secretary and lover, "Gérard Aumont from Aleister Crowley, An. XXI [sun] in <17 over [scorpio]", and with a self-portrait frontispiece drawn in coloured pencils. the date is given thelemic calendar, corresponding to 9 or 10 november 1925. this copy allegedly stained with... Learn More -
JAMES, M. R. Ghost-Stories of an Antiquary.London : 1904
First edition, with the publisher's adverts dated November 1904. This is James's first collection of ghost stories, including his influential "'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad'".
The illustrator, James McBryde, was a close friend of the author. He died in June 1904 from complications following an appendix operation, leaving... Learn More -
FRÖBE-KAPTEYN, Olga. Gleichnisse ("Parables").Ascona : 1933
First and only edition, presentation copy, of this rare typescript, inscribed by the author on the title page, "Sophie della Valle di Casanova von der Verfasserin" (Sophie della Valle di Casanova from the author). Each of the 12 tales were written for a different person, with dedicatees including Olga herself, her daughter, and various friends... Learn More -
WAITE, Arthur Edward. The Real History of the Rosicrucians.London : 1887
First edition of this comprehensive history of Rosicrucianism. The collection comprises translations of key Rosicrucian texts including the Fama Fraternitatis, the Confessio Fraternitatis, and the Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosencreutz. Waite wrote this compendium in opposition of Hargrave Jennings's The Rosicrucians, Their Rites and Mysteries... Learn More -
PLATH, Sylvia. A Dialogue Over a Ouija Board.London : 1981
First edition, sole impression, number 97 of 140 copies published by Ted and Olwyn Hughes at the Rainbow Press, of which 100 were for sale. The publication preceded its inclusion in Plath's Collected Poems by two months.
The poem had its origins in 1956, when Plath and Hughes began exploring the occult realm together. It is "purportedly a... Learn More -
BROWN, Robert Hewitt. Stellar Theology and Masonic Astronomy;New York : 1882
First edition of this scarce work on the hidden meanings of Masonic and other esoteric symbols; the two attractive chromolithograph plates in this copy having the volvelles intact. Among institutional libraries, 19 locations are listed on WorldCat, all in North America, the British Library being the only one among UK and Irish... Learn More -
FORTUNE-TELLING. "The Original Norwood Gypsy" game.Early to mid-19th century
A beguiling broadside parlour game in which the blindfolded participant pricks a pin into the "Wheel of Fortune" and reads their fortune based on which picture they have pricked. It is themed around Margaret Finch, the "Norwood Gypsy", an 18th-century oracle who became a popular figure in contemporary folklore. This copy has several pinpricks from... Learn More -
BAILEY, Alice A. Letters on Occult Meditation, Received and Edited.New York : 1922
First edition, presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "Dorothy Dobbins, with affectionate greeting, from Alice A. Bailey". Like Bailey, Dorothy Dobbins was a follower of Theosophy; her article "Art from the Spiritual Point of View" appeared in the October 1927 issue of The Theosophist.
Alice Ann Bailey... Learn More -
WAITE, Arthur Edward. The Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross;London : 1924
First edition, second issue with the corrected Latin footnote on page 185, in the rare jacket. Gilbert suggests that the corrected issue is scarcer than the uncorrected first issue. The book offers a further study of Rosicrucianism, following his earlier work, The Real History of the Rosicrucians (1887).
Waite examines Rosicrucian beliefs... Learn More -
SOMNAMBULISM. Journeys into the Moon, Several Planets and the Sun. History of a Female Somnambulist, of Weilheim on the Teck, in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, in the years 1832 and 1833.Philadelphia : 1837
First edition in English, translated from the German Reisen in den Mond, in mehrere Sterne und in die Sonne, first published at Augsburg in 1834. The work records the visionary experiences of Philippine Demuth Bäurle, a young somnambulist from Weilheim an der Teck in Württemberg, during 1832 and 1833.
While in a state of somnambulism,... Learn More -
DE LAURENCE, L. W. The Sacred Book of Death, Hindu Spiritism, Soul Transition, and Soul Reincarnation.Chicago : 1905 [but 1906]
First edition of this purported guide to Hindu spiritualism by the infamous book pirate and cult leader "Doctor" Lauron William de Laurence. Though presented as an East Indian work, it is largely based on Western spiritualist practices and extensively plagiarizes Allan Kardec's The Spirits' Book (1857).
Despite being born to French-Canadian... Learn More -
CHEVREUL, Michel Eugène. De la baguette divinatoire:Paris : 1854
First edition of this investigation into paranormal, divinatory, and spiritualist phenomena. Chevreul analyses dowsing rods, divining pendulums, and turning tables through a rigorous scientific and historical lens to demystify these practices that were captivating Western Europe at the time.
Chevreul (1786-1889) was a chemist, renowned for... Learn More -
HACK, Gwendolyn Kelley. Modern Psychic Mysteries.London : [1930]
First edition, with a scarce example of the dust jacket, of the book that inadvertently played a role in Arthur Conan Doyle's severance with the Society for Psychical Research in 1930. An offensive review of this title published in the society's journal prompted Conan Doyle's resignation.
A medium herself, Hack compiled and translated... Learn More -
LEGUÉ, Gabriel. La Messe noire.Paris : 1903
First edition, presentation copy inscribed by the author on the half title "À mes bons amis, M. et Mme Édouard Rahir, petit témoignage de grande sympathie. Dr G. Legué". Edouard Rahir (1862-1924) was a prominent Parisian bookseller and collector, who wrote the reference guide to collecting rare and valuable books La Bibliotheque de l'amateur... Learn More -
MCNALLY, Raymond T., & Radu Florescu. In Search of Dracula.Greenwich, Connecticut : 1972
First edition, inscribed by Christopher Lee on the front free endpaper, "To Dorene - who finally found him... with much appreciation, Christopher Lee". The recipient is likely Dorene Hazell, who was president of the Christopher Lee International Club in the 1970s.
Hazell contributed articles on Lee's television and film appearances to the... Learn More -
WICKWAR, John William. Witchcraft and the Black Art.London : 1925
First edition. Occult theorist Wickwar (1874-1946) details the history of witchcraft in England, Europe, and America, as well as exploring spells, the Evil Eye, possession, werewolves and vampires, and witch trials. Learn More -
WAITE, Arthur Edward. The Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross;London : 1924
First edition, first issue, of this study of Rosicrucianism, following Waite's earlier work, The Real History of the Rosicrucians (1887). The present work examines the movement's beliefs surrounding Genesis, the nature of the soul, and the development of its symbolism. The book remains highly regarded within Rosicrucianism and is considered a key... Learn More
