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Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to Edward Bryant
London, S.W.1
[Undated: circa late October ? 1943]
[in Crowley's hand at top of letter: "The 'Book of Thoth' (Tarot) is now far enough advanced for us to accept subscriptions. It ought to be ready in less than 3 months. A prospectus is being prepared. The price is 10 guineas. A.C.]
O.T.O. PUBLICATION FUND
Strictly Private and Confidential
1. External circumstances have greatly increased the "time-lag" between (a) going to press and publication, (b) payment of costs of production and receipts from sales.
2. The result of this is, that while the income from fees, subscriptions, donations and sale of books already issued is ample to finance new publications, it must be allowed to accumulate in order to pay cash in advance to the printers, engravers and binders; this is absolutely necessary to secure priority for the work. Figures on application.
3. Two books are now ready, and their immediate publication is most desirable, not only for their intrinsic value, but on account of their importance in our general publicity campaign.
1. OLLA - a selection of poems by Aleister Crowley, written at all periods of his career, and in every part of the world of his travels; this volume is designed to show the immense scope of his genius.
2. Liber Aleph: the Book of Wisdom or Folly. This is the most interesting document from the philosophical point of view, and as instruction in practical Magick, that the Master Therion has as yet thought fit to issue.
4. To cover the first cost of these volumes the sum of £200 is required at once. This is to be divided into four sums of £50 each, and you are asked to take up one or more of these.
Repayment will be made quarterly in six installments of £10. Or as may otherwise be agreed.
[in Crowley's hand at end of letter: "N.B. I am sending copies of these to people outside the Order. What is wanted is a strictly business transaction. Nothing is worse than donations which leave a sense of obligation—the kind that can never be discharged, and so threaten to turn sour the milk of human kindness. The chief exception is in cases of great intimacy of long standing. A.C."
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