The author's scarce first novel

Crowley, Aleister ~ The Diary Of A Drug Fiend

Collins, London : 1922

The First UK printing published by Collins, London in 1922. The BOOK is in Very Good++ or better condition. Light pushing at the spine ends. Very minor rubbing at the corners. Some offsetting to the end-papers. Light toning to the text-block. The red lettering to the spine and front cover remains very bright. A few light age related marks to the covers. Tipped in to the verso of the half-title is a cutting from 'The Telegraph' newspaper dated May 11th 1933. The cutting is only tipped in at the upper edge. This cutting refers to a bookseller's libel action involving this title. Light offsetting from the cutting to the title page. The book is protected in a removable Mylar archival cover. Crowleys' first published novel, and is also reportedly the earliest known reference to the 'Abbey of Thelema' in Sicily [Channel 4: Masters of Darkness]. The story is widely thought to be based upon Crowley's own drug experiences, despite being written as a fiction. This seems almost conclusively confirmed by Crowley's statement in the novel's preface: 'This is a true story. It has been rewritten only so far as was necessary to conceal personalities'. A sharp copy of an increasingly scarce title. No wrapper.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Very Good++