The Book of Pleasure

A3. THE BOOK OF PLEASURE (SELF LOVE)

A3a. THE BOOK OF PLEASURE (SELF LOVE). | THE PSYCHOLOGY OF ECSTASY. | 1909- 1913 | [illustration] | LONDON: | Printed by the Co-operative Printing Society Limited, Tudor Street, E.C. | Published by the Author, 8b, Golders Green Parade, N.W. | [short rule] | 1913.
Bound in black cloth, lettered in white on front board – THE | BOOK OF PLEASURE | (SELF-LOVE) | THE PSYCHOLOGY OF ECSTASY | AUSTIN OSMAN SPARE.

Nine full page half-tone illustrations and numerous drawings and symbols.

800 Copies[?]. In 1916 the book was advertised in Form at 10/6. 4+60 pp. 15.5″ x 10.5″.

A number of copies were bound in vellum. In 1916, these were described as “Signed. Artist’s Bookplate” and offered by The Morland Press at 30/-. The bookplate has led a number of dealers to catalogue such copies as “author’s own copy” and to price accordingly. Some vellum bound copies do not have the bookplate.

A3b. REPRINTED 1975 – 93 PUBLISHING, Quebec.
Black cloth; 15.25″ x 10.25″; dustwrapper reproduces “The Death Posture”.
With a new foreword by Kenneth Grant; 1000 numbered copies.
Originally sold at $44 but later reduced to $25.

A3c. REPRINTED 1977 – MORTON PRESS.
White wraps; printed blue; 11.75″ x 8.25″; 100 copies. This impression is evidently the basis of a later reprint found with yellow card covers, being held together with industrial staples.

A3d. MICROFICHE EDITION, c1978 – ASKIN PUBLISHERS.
Issued at £2.

A3e. REPRINTED 1982 & 1986 – SORCERER’S APPRENTICE, Leeds.
In Collected Works [see A8].

A3f. REPRINTED 1987 – SUT ANUBIS.
Black card wraps, lettered in white. 11.75″ x 8.25″.

A3g. REPRINTED 1990 & 1993 – BEYOND THE RISING SUN PUBLICATIONS, Glasgow
Red card wraps, 11.5″ x 8″, 200 copies.

A3h. REPRINTED 1993 – FIRST IMPRESSIONS, Seattle.
In From the Inferno to Zos [See A11].

A3i. ITALIAN TRANSLATION, 1993 – ALL’INSEGNA DI ISHTAR, Torino.
Translated by Caterina Porcheddu. Introduction by Dario Spada (merely a translation of Robert Ansell’s essay from The Bookplate Designs of Austin Osman Spare).
Laminated card wraps; 9.5″ x 6.5″; 666 numbered copies together with 50 copies hors commerece.

A3j(*). A new edition with footnotes on Spare’s magical techniques has been announced by Fulgur, although it is understood that publication is not imminent.

A3k. GERMAN TRANSLATION 1990
Das Buch der Freude translated by Michael De Witt, published as part of Gesammelte Werke [See A8c] pp 85-186.

A3l. GERMAN TRANSLATION 1996
Das Buch der Ekstatischen Freude translated and with an introduction by Marcus M.Jungkurth. Published by Kersken-Canbaz Verlag, laminated card wraps 5″ x 8″.

A3m. REPRINTED 2003 – I-H-O BOOKS, Thame.
A reset edition as part of Ethos, pp 27-150. Printed, buff card wraps 7″ x 9″.

A3n. FRENCH TRANSLATION
Le Livre du Plaisir translated by Jean-Luc Colnot and Philippe Pissier published on the internet.

A3o. POLISH TRANSALTION
Ksiega Rozkoszy translated by Krzysztof Azarewicz with an introduction by Gavin W.Semple, has been announced by Okultura.

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