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Correspondence from Karl Germer to Louis Wilkinson
K. J. GERMER 260 West 72nd Street New York 23, N.Y. Endicott 2-6799
January 3, 1948.
Louis Wilkinson, Esq. 17 St. Leonard's Terrace London S.W.3. England
Dear Mr. Wilkinson,
You will imagine that I am very busy with the complex of affairs connected with Aleister's death and Will. When I receive a letter referring to this I am in the habit of conferring with my friends in the O.T.O., and as they are in different parts of the U.S.A. and Canada, this means much secretarial work that I have to accomplish alone. I mention this in order that you understand why I am physically not able to write necessary letters to solicitors, yourself, Lady Harris [Frieda Harris], and Mr. Symonds [John Symonds]. I am glad to hear from your letter that my letters will be discussed among all three of the executors, literary and otherwise, in England. This makes it easier for me and by addressing this letter to you personally, it is really addressed to all the executors.
Yes, I would have loved to go to England, not only to see Aleister again before his death, but also now that my presence would have been desirable. Unfortunately, (to forget about minor, trivial technicalities upon which the refusal of my visa was based) I was not a Nazi, which would have obviated my visa difficulties in London in 1936; and, I was a witness for Aleister in that libel suit in 1934, which first seems to have caused objections against my presence.
As my visit then is out of the question, let me deal with the situation and your and Lady Harris' letters point by point.
The only person who could represent me in case of need would be Mr. Mellinger [Frederic Mellinger]. He wrote me that it would be extremely difficult for him to get away. Gerald Yorke wrote me that he must decline to be named or asked. I hope, therefore, things will straighten themselves out gradually, however black they may look at the moment. I will group some of the points which appear vital as they come to my mind.
1) You may be under the impression that the group in the O.T.O. that is active here has great sums available. This is not the case. I can always obtain contributions for adequate expenses, but not more. From the copy of the letter I sent to the Hastings solicitors you will have seen that I had mailed them bank receipts of sums I had transmitted to A.C. from May to Sept. totaling $2400. This is, of course, only a part, but it should suffice to prove that I paid for his subsistence and for the printing, binding, and production of the two books we commissioned.
2) The thought that if A.C.'s papers, MSS. etc, etc. were shipped to me the U.S. Customs authorities might impound and destroy them upon arrival, seems to me devoid of any serious basis. A few weeks ago I have given instructions to my shippers to send to me all my MSS., files, Books, and documents from Brussels, packed in cases, insured. They contain mostly material of the Order, in a very similar way as I presume A.C. left. This operation is parallel to the one I propose should be done from there. The only difference I can see is that the one would come from Belgium, the other from England.
3) I have been awaiting anxiously the complete list of the material you have found and taken into custody at Mr. Symonds. It is only when I have this that I can judge what it is, how much, how many cases would be involved. If you do not know a shipping agency, I could give instructions to my New York shippers to pick up the material and send it to me. They would know best how to declare it and pass it through the Customs at this end.
4) I am really only a bit worried about this matter. I wish it were possible to get the whole material shipped at once, as I am afraid the troubled times in which we are living, might lead to further confusion, and I would like to avoid this. Once the cases are here, I would know where to store them and put it in safety. Why should we wait for possible interference by the Official Receiver! This is personal property; part is, from what I know, my own very personal property, loaned or mailed to A.C. for literary purposes at one time or another.
5) WHITELEY STOCK: Some 10 or 15 years ago I saw Whiteley's on one occasion or another. I don't know whether the stock there is identical with that, or whether this is an entirely and more recent storage. So I cannot judge what it consists of, or what its value might be. Would it be possible for Mr. Symonds (and I would appreciate this very much!) to inspect it roughly, list the number and size and approximate weight of the stock or cases, and send me a copy? May be the bulk is useless non-Crowley books, and useless files. If there should be unbound sheets (as for instance of some volumes of the Equinox from around 1912) they might have some value. At the present I have no judgment at all.—Kindly let me know about this. Also, what is owed and since when? It was very good of you to pay the storage charges. I can't imagine that if Whiteley's would put them up for auction, or the Receiver, anybody would pay much for the stuff. It might be wise not to show them too much anxiety.
6) Re BOOKS IN THE PRESS AT HASTINGS. I had commissioned A.C. in the Spring of 1947 to start printing Liber Aleph and The Golden Twigs, and promised to supply the funds. I now regret that I did not print in U.S.A., but the estimates I obtained here were partly not so favorable, and A.C. cabled me that his printer was prepared to begin at once with stated delivery in Summer, so I agreed to the printing in England and sent the funds. Since that time I have been much away from New York, Aleister was sick, I expected to be in Hastings in September to see things for myself; and now I know not at all where we stand. In this matter kindly give me all the facts:
a) Are there any other books outside of Liber Aleph and The Golden Twigs that the printer is working on?
b) How far is the work progressed? (details of each) How many copies of the editions were printed each?
c) The best would be for the printer to send me, say three sets of sheets of each of the books complete as soon as possible; if not available, then three sets of galley proofs; only then can I compare, and get a clear picture as to how far they are complete; what, if anything, has to be added. What, if any, special Introduction ought to accompany the books if published after A.C.'s death, which seems to me a special case and new situation.
d) How much did A.C. pay as advance; how much is the balance? I must get a clear picture to decide whether I can take the whole lot over here in sheets and bind here, and at what price, (which depends on the size, format, and the quality of the paper. I can only negotiate with American publishers and binders when I see from a sample.
e) So far, all the information I received was from a letter by Lady Harris that the printer is owed 150 pounds, but whether this is for both books, or for only one, remains vague. When you state in your letter of Dec. 27th "that another 200 pounds would be required for printing and binding to be completed", this will only obtain a meaning for me after the questions under a) to e) are answered. Please realize, that A.C., expecting my visit, did not keep me informed.
The question of William Rider's taking over the publishing of the two books interests me seriously. But what would be the conditions? Would they pay the printer and binder and complete the balance of the work and payments themselves? Or do they expect me to pay the balance of what is required? In either case: what is the percentage they would offer, and can they transfer payments to me in U.S. Dollars? In that case the O.T.O. would have to retain the copyrights. How is the wording of both books on the title pages?
The printer should also send me itemized invoices. At present I don't even have their names, which I would like to have.
There is on possibility, which applies to whether we over here complete the books; or whether the publishing is done by William Rider: that, say, half of the editions are marketed here in $, and half in Sterling currency in England.
I think this covers the important and urgent points concerning the literary side of A.C.'s estate. As to the finances, I was aware that A.C. was holding the monies that I had sent to him in 1947 in the first place for the completion of the books; secondly for certain emergency expenses connected with the O.T.O. So the figure of 460 pounds did not surprise me or Lady Harris.
The immediate debts that you enumerate seem to be
Please rest assured that you will have my consent to the payment or refund of whatever was owed, and as soon as I receive the Form for me to be signed I will execute this. I had asked the St. Leonard's solicitors to send this to me many weeks ago. Of course, I presume you will check the justice of the claims being made; and I also presume that the available 460 pounds will easily cover the total.
I hope we will soon get some clarification about the position the Receiver takes or has taken. Please keep me up to date on this as soon as you have news.
In the meantime I hope you can take steps to ship the material under points 2) – 4) immediately. The rest requires no immediate action.
It is, perhaps, wise to say a word about the O.T.O. Lady Harris asked a question about this. She asked who was the Head of the Order. I don't know whether this question will come up legally. In that case I do not know how to answer it. But as long as A.C.'s Will not only designates me personally, but also Karl Germer as at the residence of the O.T.O., I cannot see why the Will cannot be followed simply as stated. The O.T.O. is not formally registered in this country. In my view it is no use to make an inherently complicated matter more confused by strictly irrelevant side issues. A.C. has repeatedly during the years issued documents to me that proves his constant and consistent decision. I suggest that you avoid the issue altogether.
The solicitors have not yet replied to my letter of Dec. 13th of which I sent you a copy. If you think it would be wise to change the legal adviser, please tell me. We ought to have somebody who is active, pursues our interests, and does not drag the matter out. His former solicitors were Forsyte, Kerman & Phillips, 44 Brook Street, W.1. I used to know Mr. Kerman [Isidore Kerman] well in the early thirties. Incidentally, I have the original of his Will, executed Oct. 20, 1942 (copy must be with the above) which appoints me very simply as the sole benefactor of his Estate (if that is the correct term; perhaps inheritor is better), and as the sole Executor of his Will.
I hope I have touched every point that is at issue. Should a sudden emergency arise where quick action is required, kindly send me a Night Letter, followed up by Airmail. I cannot imagine the need, but if vitally important, and the disbursement justified and adequate, I think I can scrape together to meet such an emergency.
Remains a few personal matters that you mention.
The press-cuttings you announce have not arrived yet, I will, of course, mail them to the address at Dedham, Mass., you mention. Thank you for your courtesy—I have not found any other notices in the press (apart from some insignificant ones) but those in the Dec. 15 issue of "Time" and "Newsweek". As they should have been received in London before this, I trust you have read them. If not, I'll try to get them for you. The whole matter appears to me now unimportant, until such time when some more serious publications feel impelled to print a somewhat juster appreciation of the man.
Thank you for the details about your recent visit to A.C. before his death. Can you tell me how far you have worked on the Condensed Commentary on the Book of the Law. Mr. Parsons [Jack Parsons] has pledged himself to pay for your editorial work. As a matter of fact he urged that this be undertaken. But I do not consider him reliable, and am not a friend of vague promises. He has severed his connection with this group, whether finally or not remains to be seen. After not having heard from him for years he phoned me from New York a week ago; wanted to have an appointment with me January 2nd, but I have not heard from him since.—Should you hear from him, please notify me.
Are copies of "Forth Beast!" available? I might want to take a dozen or so of the book. I have an idea as if I had written for details at the time when Aleister sent me an inscribed copy. The price of the book is nowhere stated.
When writing please do this by Airmail; ordinary mail takes more than three weeks.
Kindly convey my best wishes to Lady Harris, and Mr. Symonds.
Sincerely yours,
Karl Germer
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