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Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to Henry Holt & Co.
The first principle of advertising is to have something good to advertize [sic]— I have it
Aleister Crowley Care Fifth Bank 530 Fifth Avenue New York [above address is over-stamped with the following] 2619 Woodley Pl Washington, D.C.
Messrs. Henry Holt & Co., 34 W. 33rd St., New York City.
“A PROPHET IN HIS OWN COUNTRY” BY STUART X [Henry Stuart] (UN-“EDUCATED” MAN—UN-MUTILATED THOUGHT)
June 3, 1916
Sir:
I am sending you under separate cover a copy of the privately published edition of “A Prophet in his own Country.” This edition of 500 copies has been all subscribed for before publication, with the exception of a few copies reserved for such purposes as the present, by various distinguished public men all over the country.
It's complete originality, both of thought and of style, marls this book as unique. Nothing, since Nietzsche in Germany and Carlyle in England, is at all comparable to it. For this very reason the average publisher regards it with prejudice, and I have consequently not thought it worth while to submit it to anybody but yourself, knowing your reputation for finding the right thing, irrespective of the machine-made opinion of the vulgar. But even your goodself, I venture to say, has not had such an opportunity as the present.
This moment is exceedingly propitious. The struggle of the convention is upon us, and the weight of this book, cast like the sword of Attila into the scale, may not improbably decide the conflict. Luckily, we have in hand 1500 copies printed off, which only need the publisher's imprint and binding up. These can be used to stem the first great rush, while a larger edition is being printed off from the plates. It will be possible to issue this further edition at a lower price; the one now proposed will have to sell at $2.00 at a lowest $1.75.
Please let me know your views without delay, and arrange a personal interview to settle terms.
Yours, etc.,
[signed] Aleister Crowley
[Attached to the letter is the following flyer:]
The Book That Shook The World
William Marion Reedy says that “The introduction alone is worth the price of admission.”
“A Prophet In His Own Country” By STUART X
Published by Henry Clifford Stuart, 2619 Woodley Place, Washington, D. C.
$2.00
This volume consists of a number of letters written by the author to carious persons of importance during the last few years, upon many matters, ranging from the highest philosophical affairs to the most material and practical questions at issue. Mr. Stuart has brought to his task not only an enormous fund of knowledge and the soundest common sense, but a personality whose originality and grip are amazing. Some of the most important men in America have endorsed this book. It is a battering ram against the forces of graft, and the weak and wicked policy of those who are temporarily in authority.
The first section of the book is devoted to finance and contains a complete exposure of the present mischievous system, together with an admirable constructive policy by which the people can be rendered masters of their own wealth by supplying them with a sound and available means of exchange.
Most of the remainder is devoted to world-politics. The great war does not take up too much space, though it is dealt with very fully. To Mr. Stuart's acute perception the situation in China seems equally important. It is interesting to note that he predicts a class war to follow the European war, and a race war to follow that.
No one can afford to miss this book, for it is, above all, “different;” an entirely fresh and original standpoint is taken with regard to every conceivable matter. It is the most illuminating volume which has been published for many years. Mr. Stuart may well be the American Nietzsche.
Aleister Crowley.
New York, June, 1916.
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