A Book of Sketches - SIGNED Book Launch Copy

York Beach, Maine: The Teitan Press, 2013. NEW / SIGNED Book Launch copy, June 7th, 2013. One of 418, Hand Numbered Copies, Additionally Signed by Richmond and Tibet. From the Publisher (see image): A Book of Sketches reproduces in full a series of colour and black and white sketches, mostly of women, from a sketchbook utilised by Aleister Crowley from the late 1930s through the early 1940s that is now preserved in the Yorke collection in London. While the 45 plates include a number of finished drawings, most are unpolished designs, possibly "roughs" for later more detailed compositions. Although hardly examples of "high art," they offer a fascinating glimpse of Crowley's process of imagining his art, and the varied styles with which he experimented. Several of the portraits are identifiable as known lovers of Crowley's, notably Catherine Falconer and "Alice" (probably Alice Sutherland - his mistress for more than three years), whilst at least one other appears to be a representation of his ill-fated wife, Maria ("Marie") Teresa de Miramar. With a five page Introduction by Crowley art aficionados David Tibet and Keith Richmond. The book is a hardcover, landscape format 8vo. (6 x 9 inches: approx. 15.2 x 22.9cm), xii + [45 plates each printed on rectos only]. Fine black cloth spine with gilt lettering, charcoal papered boards with gilt title and facsimile Crowley signature to front board, full colour plates, charcoal end pages. Sewn, printed on heavy weight acid-free art paper. 45 full page plates.. First Edition/Signed/Hand Numbered. Hard Cover, Cloth Spine, Sewn. New/No Jacket, As Issued. Illus. by Aleister Crowley. Landscape 8vo - over 9" tall.