Transcendental Magic It’s Doctrine and Ritual by Eliphas Levi
Translation, Preface and Notes by A.E. Waite
1923 William Rider & Son First English Edition First Printing
The extensively revised 1923 edition of Waite's translation of Eliphas Levi's landmark work “Transcendental Magic”. Waites biographer R.A. Gilbert observed that Waite was unable to provide a fully annotated translation in his original 1896 publication of this work, but did so in this edition. According to Waite biographer R.A. Gilbert "The annotations are extensive, for Waite had worked on them sporadically for seven years." Gilbert does not list this US printing, which came out the same year as the British, and almost certainly used the same sheets but with a different title-page Includes all original engravings and a portrait of the Author.
Condition: Original red cloth with gilt titles and decorations to the to the upper board and spine. Top edge gilt, all other edges deckled. Illustrated with portrait frontpiece and black and white in-text engravings throughout. Upper board with a tiny bump to the top and bottom edge and minor bumping to the top front corner. Cloth and gilt are bright and fresh. An excellent Near Fine copy not often found in such condition.