(Self-Love) The Psychology of Ecstasy
by Austin Osman Spare
This newly revised 2023 edition marks 110 years since first publication of Spare’s magical book.
Resplendent with full-page symbolist illustrations representing some of the artist’s most beautiful draughtsmanship. It is also festooned with Spare’s automatic drawings and sigils.
This seminal work has established Spare as a unique and
formidable figure in twentieth century western magic.
This edition includes previously unpublished drawings and ink works that may well have been part of the artist’s wider conception of the Book.
The original 1913 introduction by Ernest H.R. Collings and the 1975 introduction by Kenneth Grant are also reprinted. This edition reprints all the sigils and half-tone illustrations from a particularly fresh and well printed copy of the first edition. Illustrated endpapers and divider pages are overprinted with designs by Spare in silk varnish. The pages are in silk and uncoated paper-stocks.
Spare’s re-worked version of one of the original illustrations is featured, alongside Mr Staley’s eulogy to Kenneth Grant, which examines his relationship with The Book of Pleasure.
New Afterword
Dr William Wallace offers new research on
the development of the Sacred Alphabet.
He also analyses the constructive geometry underpinning the many sigils found in The Book of Pleasure.
Contextual Material
Featuring an evocative introduction by Alan Moore and an illustrated magical essay by Michael Staley. This new edition also includes ‘Automatic Drawing’ (1916) co-authored with Frederick Carter, and Carter’s review article of the same name from a little-known art journal (1914).
The Zos and the Kia, collective unconscious, Cosmic Mind – however we formulate it, this gnosis is at the heart of Spare’s work from its articulation in The Book of Pleasure, to its development throughout his subsequent work. – Michael Staley
Spare’s book is one of pleasure. It speaks of the joy and the accomplishment that are the natural right of any soul unburdened by the world’s imprinted intellectual architectures and emotive double-binds … It is impossible to recommend this work too highly, so read on. Pleasure yourselves. – Alan Moore
Each format includes a specially-commissioned limited edition numbered ex-libris, produced by ‘Master of the Vectors’ Ben Thompson (he was also featured in our last title Materia Oscura).
NOW INVITING PRE-ORDERS
Deluxe Limited Edition
100 numbered copies (a few still remain)
7 full-leather (sold out)
(Available mid-May 2023)
128 pages, 215 x 312mm. Quarter-bound in
morocco (with foil block) with black moiréd silk sides. Head and tail spine bands, silk ribbon bookmark, dust-jacket and black cloth slipcase. Includes a large ex-libris by Ben Thompson. Book signed by the contributors.
£170 (plus p&p depending on region)
Standard Hardback Limited Edition
700 numbered copies
(Available now – selling fast)
128 pages, 215 x 312mm. Hardback cloth bound, dust-jacket. Head and tail spine bands, silk ribbon bookmark. Includes ex-libris by Ben Thompson.
£60 (plus p&p depending on region)
PO Boxes not suitable addresses, postage is insured and a signature required.
For US nd Pacific Rim pre-orders please contact JD Holmes.com
The Deluxe edition includes a large signed limited edition ex-libris by Ben Thompson
and a different, smaller design is included in the Standard edition.
