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Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to Isidore Kerman
140 Piccadilly W.1.
July 9 [1942]
Dear Kerman,
The Tarot is an Atlas of, and Guide-Book to, the Universe. It has been my daily study since Feb '99, and my researches have cost me several thousand pounds.
I have long determined to construct a pack embodying all the new knowledge gained from Anthropology, Comparative Religion, and so forth.
Lady Harris [Frieda Harris] offered to execute the cards from my designs. It was agreed that I should have a 2/3 share in the venture. From my rough sketches and descriptions, under my continual inspection, subject to my constant correction—I made her do some cards over again 5, 6 even 8 times in one case—she made the set now on show at the Berkeley Galleries. (There is one exception: The care numbered I was not shown to, or authorized by, me. I suspect a trick in this.)
She has damaged the property by offering it for sale at cost price, thus diluting the libraries and booksellers, and reducing my 2/3 interest to nil.
I value the copyright at something like £20000. (A crude vilely drawn and colored, ignorant, inferior pack, published in 1912 or thereabouts, has sold over 1000 copies every year since then at 15/- a copy. I am quite sure that these admirable cards, with my book on the subject [The Book of Thoth], which was to go with them in an ornamental box, would bring in far more annual receipts. I have a large following in U.S.A.—they send me £50 a month or more—which is growing rapidly, especially now my "Hymn for Independence Day" has been set to music, and will be broadcast by the Cultural Garden League of Cleveland Ohio, on Aug 9. There is also my Free French song [La Gauloise: Song of the Free French] (proof enclosed). And the invention of the V-sign will ultimately benefit my work.
I want first to establish my 2/3 claim in the copyright. Secondly, my controlling interest in the cards themselves. If necessary, damages for her sly, underhand, sneaking, dishonourable and dishonest action in giving this show without my approval, and destroying the whole value of the copyright.
N.B. The property right is actually vested in the O.T.O. (Mr. Karl Germer 1507 Lexington Avenue New York City is my Grand Treasurer General, and we had perhaps better sure in his name.
N.B. Lady H's real motive is to conceal her 4 years' close association with me! Rather silly, then, to provoke a lawsuit! I shall ring up Saturday A.M. early: perhaps you could lunch with me.
Yours sincerely,
Aleister Crowley.
P.S. A friendly settlement is being tried; don't do anything until I see you again.
A.C.
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