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Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to Gerald Yorke
From 10 Hanover Square.
30/8/41
What a sunshine day in my life! This business of having no-one to talk with has been getting on my nerves badly. The V sign affair may brighten things a lot.
I have taken your advice fully
A new title page
Five Poems by the Author of The V sign for free distribution among the Soldiers and Workers of the Forces of Freedom
followed by pp 3 - 9: that's all. None of the "magical nonsense" at all, except one of the seals on the front page to improve the appearance. And no name. This can be done very cheaply as the type is standing: only the new title needs to be set up. 8pp instead of 12, and no cover.
I do believe that some of these lines will prove quotable, and may do a lot of pepping up. Everyone has been lamenting the dearth of good war poetry, and this will outflank the intriguing jealousies of Fleet Street. It will be food for the noble feelings that lurk in every modest heart, now crammed with journalistic humbug.
I hope too that it will put me in my proper place and make plain my way to issue the "war aims" (or is it "peace aims") of the New Aeon. I'll send you the "O.T.O. plan in words of one syllable" [Liber OZ] as promised in a few days.
I hope to circularize prominent people with sample copies of the reprint and personal letters—I have got 3 quite good helpers—asking for subscriptions to distribute copies. We need £50 to start: after that it should pay for itself. I shall offer all newspapers and magazines the right to reprint any of the poems free of charge.
I wish too that you would write a pamphlet on some aspect of the New Aeon.
Once I have a footing on the rock, after all these years of floundering in the mire, the whole world will respond to the pressure.
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