THE BOOK OF BLACK MAGIC AND OF PACTS, Including the Rites and Mysteries of Goëtic Theurgy, Sorcery, and Infernal Necromancy.

First edition, first printing. Quarto. Original black buckram covered bevelled boards with silver titles to the upper board and spine. Top edge gilt. Title page printed in black and red. Frontispiece portrait of Edward Kelly with tissue guard, nine further full page engraved plates and tables printed on variously coloured papers and 188 vignettes and smaller illustrations throughout the text. A very good copy, the binding square and firm with some rubbing and bumping to the extremities and some discolouration to the buckram along the upper spine fold. The contents, with the bookplate of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076 to the front pastedown, and their small oval ink stamp to the upper right corner of the half title, are otherwise clean throughout.

A comprehensive study and curated collection of material drawn from several of the most influential Western grimoires, including the 'Key of Solomon', 'Lesser Key of Solomon', 'Grimoire of Honorius', 'Fourth Book of Occult Philosoph', and' The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage'. 'The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts' was arguably the first major compendium of grimoires published in the English language. It also holds particular historical significance as one of the earliest works on ceremonial magic studied by Aleister Crowley. Crowley's engagement with Waite's work set in motion a chain of events that ultimately led to his initiation into the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Only 500 copies were printed. Arthur Edward Waite (1857-1942) was a poet, mystic and leading member of the Golden Dawn, who wrote extensively on occult subjects. [Gilbert A25a].