Zanoni by E.L. Bulwer
Publishing: 1842 A. and W. Galignani and Co. Paris
A rare first edition, one volume edition of Bulwer's Zanoni. Often termed a "Rosicrucian novel" it might best be described as a story of romance and occult aspiration. It famously begins with a description of an occult bookshop in Covent Garden, London, now known to have been that of John Denley, the bookseller who for a time employed Frederick Hockley to copy and produce occult manuscripts. In the work Bulwer-Lytton also described the discovery of an occult manuscript, written in secret cipher, which surely has its echoes in the foundation-myth of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn some decades later. Aleister Crowley thought sufficiently highly of the work that he included it as the first work in Section 2 (Other books, principally fiction, of a generally suggestive and helpful kind ) of the A.'. A.'. curriculum reading list where he described it as "Valuable for its facts and suggestions about mysticism."
The present edition was published in the 1842 and all indications are that this is the first English language U.K. Edition. Believed to have proceeded the three volume set issued in the same year by Saunders & Oatley in the U.S. Only two institutional holdings of this editions world wide. (per world cat) Rare!
Condition: three quarters calf, textured paper covers, gilt title on spine is faded, outer edges of the spine with some damage, top portion of the spine damaged, corners exposed, occasional foxing primarily to title page and introduction leaves, marked edges, marbled end papers, contemporary signature to verso [possible association?] additional inscription to front free end paper, overall in Very Good condition