Hail Mary

London: The Equinox. [1911]. Israel Regardie's copy of the third issue of Crowley's book of devotional verse, submitted anonymously to the Catholic publishers Burnes and Oates in 1908, who somehow overlooked its sexual undertones, and published it as Amphora. Crowley then published his own version, with an obscene epilogue. The original edition was withdrawn, and Crowley used the leftover sheets to publish this edition. This copy has the original front and rear wrappers but has been rebacked, a not uncommon condition for this cheaply made volume. Regardie, a British author and occultist, was for several years Crowley's secretary and later wrote a number of books on esoteric subjects. In the 1950s he experimented with LSD and other mind-altering drugs. Regardie's bookplate appears inside the front cover; an excellent association copy. With the restoration, a very good copy in wrappers, in a custom clamshell case. Softcover. Very Good.