Rare Occult Works/Ethel Archer/Crowley
Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:32 pm
Original post: Ekron
Here is part of some very lengthy emails I've just received from Caduceus Books. I hope it's of some interest.
Ethel Archer's Occult Work:-
Ethel Archer, Manuscript and Typescript, Clipped together by Archer, they share a theme of magical and theological exploration. Present are:-
Result of the First Meditation, Summer 1911, Carbon copy 2pp with annotations. Commences "Solve Coagula. I have found it. IT, the secret of Perpetual Motion, the riddle of the Universal Sphinx..." and ends "This ought to be illustrated by a mathematical table...Did I Myself attempt the same, it would but result in a reflection of myself which is, CHAOS." It appears to be an artifact of an extreme mindspace, possibly drug induced, possibly exalted, probably achieved in the context of A.'.A.'. Work operated under Crowley.
"Extract from the Book of the Secret Though of the ONE who is MAN"! IX THE BLACK GOD" half page manuscript (complete), signed, dated 17th Feb. 1913. Perhaps influenced by Book of Lies. On reverse is a portion of a letter where Archer mentions Neuburg and that she has been writing a lot of "demoniac scrawls lately & my pen positively refuses to write from West to East".
Fable, 1pp typescript (carbon copy) which commences "The Devil, who was a wise man" and at the end identifies the Devil with eternity.
Bubbles, a Little Sermon on Breaks. one leaf manuscript, page and a bit of text. A review of Book of Lies which mentions Crowley, Neuburg and Waddell by their magical names.
Dream, typescript 5pp. Dated 5th Oct 1911 describes a dream of a Mass like ritual with a priest in a robe and a dancing child wearing a serpentine crown Dating years before the Gnostic Mass was written and many years the piece might be regarded as prescient. VG Order No. 200086 £185
Other copies of some components of this lot are also present independently:-
Ethel Archer, Extract from The Book of the Secret Thought of the One Who is the Many, IX The Black God, Typescript 1pp written in 1913 G+ Order No. 200093 £40
Ethel Archer, Extract from the Book of the SECRET THOUGHT of the ONE who is the MANY, IX THE BLACK GOD, Manuscript not dated 1913 1pp 136 words VG Order No. 200092 £45
Ethel Archer, Fable, Typescript Feb 1911 1pp Commences "The Devil, who was a wise man..." and ends with identification of the Devil with eternity G+ Order No. 200094 £35
Ethel Archer, My First Three Skryings, Typescript not dated Typescript 5 foolscap leaves. Commences with an introduction which draws attention to "Picking Fir Cones" and article in the English Review by Algernon Blackwood as giving a good description of the experience of astral projection. She then gives three accounts of the experience from her diary dated 24th Feb., 4th June and 21st of June 1912. This is of importance as information concerning the astral experiences of a member of the A.'.A.'. in its earliest days and also upon Ethel's own work as a poet of the imagination A copy of this was made by Gerlad Yorke and iis present in the Warburg Institute. VG Order No. 200029 £100
Ethel Archer, Quabalistic and Astrological Diagrams, Manuscripts not dated Two sheets 11ins x 8ins One is a Tree of Life diagram with attributions in pen and a further rough diagram and notes in pencil on reverse. The other diagram has circular pattern giving attributions of Sephiroth, days of the week, various planetary associations, astrological signs, months and elements. Some rough quabalistic notes on reverse. Working diagrams of a member of the A.'.A.'. under Crowley. Leaves have split in two along creases G+ Order No. 200055 £60
Ethel Archer, The Magnum Opus, A Heat Wave Phantasy, Manuscript (1933?) 4pp Perhaps a fictionalised dream, describes the creation of a symbolic harp, the length of strings relating to the proportions of the solar system designed so as to play the music of the spheres VG Order No. 200091 £40
Ethel Archer, Prologue, A Dream, Manuscript 2pp Dated 1909 but written sometime after 1919. A short piece dealing with the nature of incarnation VG (some rust stains) Order No. 200098 £35
Ethel Archer, Prologue, A Dream, Manuscript 1909 2pp manuscript. Plus incomplete typescript of the same piece. Short piece describing the death of a sage who has lived his life "According to the precepts of the Great Ones" and the perceptions concerning that he derives from this experience. Tears along creases Quite worn and dog eared Order No. 200097 £35
Ethel Archer, Untitled, Manuscript not dated 6pp foolscap. A substantial piece describing practices for the cultivation of enlightenment. The exercises are a down to earth form of bhakti yoga without religious accouterments. The piece is not derivative of Crowley but is intended to encourage exalted consciousness. An otherwise lost piece of work which may be considered to be of some importance G Order No. 200099 £60
Ethel Archer, Dream, Manuscript Oct. 1911 4pp Describes a Mass like ritual with a priest in a white robe, a dancing child and a serpent crown. Written some years before Crowley penned the Gnostic Mass G+ Order No. 200095 £40
Ethel Archer, Intuition, Its Nature and Cultivation, Typescript not dated 11 leaves typed on one side with two pages of handwritten text on reverse plus annotations throughout. Appears to be text of a lecture given to a spiritualist organisation. It suggests intuition is the quality that makes clairvoyance and divination work and then cogently argues why this is so, how intuition can be cultivated and its importance as a spiritual path by which the student may uncover their divinity G Order No. 200071 £45
Her Diaries:-
Ethel Archer, Diary, October 28th 1911 - Feb 3rd 1913 with some subsequent entries, Manuscript 65 sides This period covers the height of her involvement with the "Equinox Crew". There are many references to Crowley , Leila Waddell or "Mother of Heaven", Nina Hammett, Madame de Steiger, Mrs. Strickland, Victor Nuburg, George Rafflovich, Leon Kennedy, "Flapper" Hayes (whose suicide so shocked Neuburg); Gwendolin Otter, Mary de Este Sturge, the Equinox offices, Wyndham Lewis, Lord Dunsany, Jacob Epstein, etc etc. Also material about her family. It does provide real insight into the personalities and flavour of these the very earliest of Thelemic scenes. He attitude is ambiguous. She explicitly regards Crowley as a Great Man and calls him "the Guru" and "the Holy One" however she is not blind to his faults. She is very scathing concerning the ethics of some close to him. Particularly the social aspect of the cult is evident and Archer's life is testimony to friendships forged then surviving disenchantment with Crowley. Whilst there is mention of dreams and occasional exercises it is a record of her feelings and life around her rather than being a magocal diary. Some pagination has been added at a later date Pages quite worn at edges with some tears Order No. 200053 £700
A Eulogy by her to her husband:-
Ethel Archer, To Bunco, Manuscript not dated 6pp Touching eulogy to her dead husband describing their life together, his wartime exploits and his death VG Order No. 200114 £35
Eugene Wieland & Ethel Archer, Marriage Certificate etc, , 1908 7ins x 17ins Provides such useful information such as their ages, profession of their fathers etc. Interestingly they appear to have been living together when married. Also enclosed Ethel Wieland's wartime registration card dated 1915 plus a mounted photograph of a cottage, an annotation in Ethel's hand on reverse confirms that this was where she was born folded G Order No. 200144 £25
An Item Translated by Ethel Archer:-
Muhammad Hafiz Syed, Untitled Typescript, Translated by Ethel Archer, c.1937 185 leaves of typescript with handwritten annotations by Archer. An academic text concerning the nature of Hindu religion and philosophy which was, apparently, never published. Also present:-Two hand written letters 18th and 25 Nov. 1937 from Syed to Archer, 6 sides
Typed Letter Signed, 8th Dec. 1937 from Ethel Archer to Syed which mentions Paul Brunton, 3 sides VG Order No. 200137 £60
Images of Ethel Archer:-
Contempory Photographic Print, Aug 1927 6ins x 4ins. Note in Archer's hand on reverse note that it was taken near Midhurst One corner stained G+ Order No. 200118 £20
Contempory Photographic Print, not dated 7ins x 7ins. Archer as a young woman VG Order No. 200120 £12
Ethel Archer, Photographs, Not dated 1920's 8 photographic prints, small format VG Order No. 200126 £30
Original Photograph, Pearl Freeman not dated 8ins x 6ins in larger card folder signed by the photographer. Profile. Card quite stained slightly affecting image Order No. 200122 £20
Original Photograph, Not dated 7ins x 5ins on larger card. Profile Probably taken in her 20's. Card quite stained (not affecting picture). Penciled signature, presumably the photographer VG Order No. 200122 £25
Original Photograph, Pearl Freeman not dated (1920s?) 8ins x 6ins in larger card folder signed by the photographer. Profile. Card quite stained slightly affecting image Order No. 200123 £25
Original Photograph, not dated 7ins x 5ins on larger card Full face. Probably taken in her 20's. Some wear to card (not affecting picture). Penciled signature, presumably the photographer Order No. 200121 £20
Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to Ethel Archer:-
Aleister Crowley, Typed Letter Signed, to Ethel Archer, 10th Sept 1914 On headed note paper with the 33 Avenue Studios address and the OTO lamen printed in red. 47 words. The letter request the return of a book and request information as to how her and her husband are. A very rare example of Crowley's earliest use of the OTO lamen plus confirmation of the address of the first Thelemic OTO headquarters VG Order No. 200013 £1050
Aleister Crowley, Handwritten Letter, to Ethel Archer, Jan 25th 1920 Written on two sides 104 words, signed Aleister Crowley with the phallic "A" The note paper is of a Paris hotel though Crowley has crossed this out and replaced it with his address in Fountainbleau. The letter concerns her husbands income from Crowley, probably in relation to a claim for a war widow's pension. There is an intriguing reference to a £100 for the 33 degree book during the last year before the war. The tone seems a little abrupt VG in original envelope Order No. 200010 £750
Aleister Crowley, Handwritten Letter, to Ethel Archer, Undated (c1931) letter in original envelope 119 words two sides. Addressed to Cara S., with salutation or "31" and "93" and ends with "93 93/93 Yours The Beast 666". It mentions J.W.N. Sullivan and asks that Ethel does not use Swaroff or Silver Star presumably in her book the Hieroglyph. A note suggests some alternative initials to A.'.A.'. Crowley wants to meet her but charmingly says he has to "cut out all joys in June as he has 8 years of work to do in 31 days" VG Order No. 200006 £800
Aleister Crowley, Handwritten Letter, to Ethel Archer, not dated (Ethel Archer has annotated in pencil with the date July 8th 1932) 75 words. Request a copy of Archer title "Wish-Phantasms" and askes her to ring up and visit. Signed A.C. with the phallic "A" The recipient has dated the letter VG Order No. 200014 £650
Aleister Crowley, Handwritten Letter, to Ethel Archer, Letter dated 8th July 1932, annotation on envelope dated June 29th 1936. 510 words. Addressed Cara Soror and signed "Ever yours fraternally 666" this letter uses the Thelemic salutations in full. They have obviously met again after a long gap and Crowley apologises for being a little abrupt. He then lectures Ethel Archer upon her interpersonal skills in a manner which probably says more about Crowley than her. It mentions Windram and others by initials. Curiously the envelope has a brief note from Crowley concerning the receipt of a cheque and calling round to visit which is dated 1936. How this came to be is an enigma? Paper splitting along folds in places G+ Order No. 200011 £900
Aleister Crowley, Handwritten Letter, to Ethel Archer, 20th Sept 1937 Small format hotel note paper with details crossed out and Crowley's own address and phone number written in. 64 words signed "Fraternally 666". He mentions he is moving and asks her to "be an angel" and send some kit bags to him VG in original envelope Order No. 200009 £650
Aleister Crowley, Handwritten Letter, to Ethel Archer, 27 Sept 1937 On small format note paper of Langham Hotel in London though this has been crossed out and another London address written in. 68 words He thanks Ethel for a diploma and notes the company (and their charge) which supplied Yarker's charter He then wonders about the whereabouts of the OTO charter which he gave to Eugene Wieland. Signed A.C. with the phallic "A" VG in original envelope Order No. 200005 £750
Aleister Crowley, Handwritten Letter, to Ethel Archer, 5th March (1939) 114 words. Uses Thelemic salutations abbreviated to 93's and is signed "Yours fraternally 666". Describes forthcoming publication of Temperance and ends hoping that "any small war isn't bothering you too much". He then states that people MUST see the use of one universal principle at the base of Social structure and that the Law of Thelema is the one possibility VG Order No. 200015 £900
Aleister Crowley, Handwritten Letter, to Ethel Archer, March 9th (1939) 124 words Signed 666 and uses the Thelemic salutations abbreviated to 93's He mentions how well he feels after his holiday and that he has been "busy in bed" so has done nothing else. He also mentions that he is planning a publication of the Tao The King VG Order No. 200016 £800
Aleister Crowley, Typed Letter Signed, to Ethel Archer, 27th Sept. 1943 353 words on two small format sheets of note paper with the OTO lamen printed in red. It is addressed "Care Frater" and Signed "Yours fraternally To Mega Therion 666 9 = 2 A.'.A.'. Bathomet X 33 90 97 It gived the greetings of the Autumn Equinox together with the Word of the Equinox, the Omen and the Oracle. The word is derived from the Abramelin squares and there is a substantial discussion as to its nature. The omen is derived by throwing the ring onto the manuscript Liber Al and the Oracles is an I Ching hexagram Some staining and creases G+ Order No. 200012 £950
Books and Ephemera by Aleister Crowley retained by Ethel Archer:-
Aleister Crowley, Collected Works, , Society for Promotion of Religious Truth (S.P.O.R.T.) 1907. Three volumes bound together I limp card bound with white buckram top edge gilt. xi + 269pp, vii + 282pp, vii + 248pp. Considerable grubbiness and a few ink spots to white cloth, edges of pages browned. Has ownership signature and address of Ethel Archer G+ Order No. 200044 £385
Aleister Crowley, Wanted, Theft, Embezzlement, Etc,.... Victoria Cremers, not dated (c1914) Single sheet 5ins x 8ins printed on one side. Has a crude caricature of Cremers and offers £5 for information leading to her apprehension and conviction. There follows a deeply insulting test with accusations of sexual harassment of young girls and "white-slave blackmail gangs". In the first instance information is to be taken to "L.W." (Leilah Waddell) care of Wieland and Co. etc. Crowley accused Cremers of poisoning Leilah heart against him. Eugene Wieland diaries give a different spin that Leilah's relationship with Cremers gave her the strength to resist Crowleys demands for sodomy and her wages. However, Cremers and Crowley argued, Cremers fell ill and withdrew and Leilah again fell under Crowley's influence. Very rare item of ephemera unmentioned in the bibliographies Top edge slightly creased VG+ Order No. 200056 £350
Aleister Crowley, Postcard, Sent from Eugene Wieland to Ethel Archer, Not dated (c1914) 4ins x 3ins with image of shaven headed. The picture is familiar and has the printed signature "Crowley" with Baphometic Cross. Frustratingly the date of the postmark is illegible but given that Eugene Wieland died in 1915 the picture must have been taken at least two years earlier than generally realised. This version, being in landscape format, shows more of Crowleys shoulders than that published in the Equinox. It is probably Eugene Wieland who has penciled in the hair (with the phallic forelock) which Crowley probably had when the card was sent. A rare example of Crowley ephemera that is none of the bibliographies Some marks G+ Order No. 200023 £300
Aleister Crowley, Temperance, A Tract for the Times, OTO 1939 1st Ed Card covers ( a larger sheet folded once to give) 11ins x 8ins bound with gold string. Number 50 of Ltd. Ed. Of 50 16pp signed by Aleister Crowley with the phallic "A". There is also an additional inscription by the author "To Ethel Archer | also a maker of rimes | from Aleister Crowley | with love" There is some grubbiness and creasing to the covers, very slight wear to edges overall G+, gold thread darkened. internally Fine Order No. 200002 £1100
Aleister Crowley, Mr. Aleister Crowley At Home, An Experiment Will Be Made In the Effect Of..., not dated (1910) Single sheet folded once to give 4pp leaflet with one page printed text. Clearly printed to announce a series of experimental ceremonies. It gives six rules for those attending a series of rituals and has spaces for writing information pertinent to the particular ritual. The appropriate annotations are handwritten (possibly by Crowley) and note that the meeting will be held at "8.30 p.m. Tuesday Aug. 2nd"; the experiment will be "a ceremony to invoke Saturn"; there is little expectation of a result before "midnight"...It is exceedingly inadvisable to leave before this hour; the deity chosen for this evening is "Saturn". Following the rule that everyone who is a Probationer of the A.'.A.'. should wear the robe is added tha annotation that "others are asked to wear black morning dress." The points of conduct clearly indicate that the meeting is for probationers of the A.'.A.'. and others, that the ceremony was quite free form but involved drumming and chanting and went on for quite a long time. There are instructions concerning the use of drugs. By implication it was expected that drugs might be used but specifically counsels caution and suggests best results are obtained through A.'.A.'. Practices instead. This item is a very rare artifact of the ritual invocations which might be regarded as preliminaries for the Rites of Eleusis which were held later that same year. The methods will be recognised far beyond specifically Thelemic circles but also in wider neo-Pagan culture. Whilst some details change (nowadays people rarely attend drumming events in black morning dress) methods and issues remain demonstrating Crowley to be an historically important innovator. This item of ephemera has been folded twice, the reverse is quite discoloured as is the front edge G+ Order No. 200003 £425
Aleister Crowley and Others, The Equinox, Vol.I Nos 1 - 10, 1909 - 14 1st Ed Standard edition with paper covered boards bearing coloured Equinox design plus advertisements. The removal of some contributions by Ehtel Archer is curious as she obviously typed out her work again and again. One speculation is that she went through a period when she wished to disassociate herself from Crowley, perhaps even to the extent of removing some of her contributions.
No.1 Ownership signature of Ethel Archer dated January 1911 One page of John St. John has penciled underlining. Some slight wear and marks but overall
No.2 Has ownership signature of Ethel Archer dated 1910 Greater Ritual of Pentagram has some penciled annotations indicating it has been worked with, Psychology of Hashish has penciled annotation and some underlining. Very small amount of penciled annotation to Handbook of Geomancy and Note of Genesis. Black silk bookmarks in place, Spine label browned and some pieces missing but boards protected by improvised paper dustwrapper. Binding loose.
No.3 On p.279 there is a discussion of Abramelin Workings where Crowley states that Frater Ae.A. fled Boleskine as a result. There is a penciled annotation by Frater Ae.A. (ie Charles Rosher, a good friend of the Wielands) which states that this is "..a damnable lie". A photograph of Rosher with Wieland is enclosed. It is signed and dated 30th June 1913 by Rosher. Half of spine label missing, paper covering boards somewhat marked, wear to edges of boards top and tail of spine
No.4 Spine label entirely present some slight darkening and marks to paper covering the boards
No.5 Ownership signature of Ethel Wieland. Page carrying her poem "The Vampire" has been removed. First two pages loose. Spine label is fully present but has some slight staining, uneven browning to paper covering back board, some marks to covers
No.6 An anonymous poem titled "Song" is identified on contents page as being by Ethel Archer (in her hand). The page carrying her poem has been removed. Spine label present but slightly worn around edges, some wear to paper covering boards
No.7 Pages carrying the poem "Silence" by Ethel Archer have been removed. Liber Israfel has pebciled annotations indicating it has been worked with. Spine label worn around edges, front hinge split, wear to paper covering boards and edges of boards
No.8 Spine label complete but edge loose, some marks and wear to paper covering boards and board edges G+
No.9 Page carrying "The Fairy Fiddler" by Ethel Archer has been removed. Front hinge split, spine label complete, Paper covering board somewhat worn, edge of board worn
No.10 Fair amount of wear to paper covering front and back boards, spine label complete, line of white paint across spine but Good sound copy Order No 200057 £1650
Aleister Crowley, The Beast 666, Thumbs Up!, A Pentagram - a Panticle to win the war, O.T.O. 1941 Card covers 12pp No. 10 of 100 copies. As called for it has tipped in a copy of the plate of Crowley titled "the Student" found in Equinox Vol. I No.3. printed in red rather than the purple used in the Equinox. It has the amusing errata slip which mentions that the V sign adopted by Churchill was an invocation of Apophis and Typhon, This copy is signed by Crowley using the phallic "A". Very unobtrusive crease to front cover though nevertheless Fine, internally there is a stain affecting the middle two pages and just visible on the other sides of those leaves, overall VG Order No. 200001 £800
Aleister Crowley, Foyle's Literary Luncheons, Twenty-Third Luncheon, Speaker Mr. Aleister Crowley, Foyle's 15th Sept. 1932 Folded card with coloured decoration giving the menu and details of the toasts. The reverse has an amusing peice by Christina Foyle about breaking the ice and not waiting for a formal introduction to your neighbour. Crowley noted in his diary that the talk went very well. A very scarce item of Crowley ephemera that would only have been available to those who actually attended the event. some marks G+ Order No. 200038 £190
Aleister Crowley, The Worlds Tragedy, Privately Printed 1910 Blank paper covers in folded vellum sheet which if folded around the book is a similar fashion to a dustwrapper. This vellum sheet is printed in red and is decorated with a gilt stamped eye in the triangle. Whilst mostly copies have some pages missing from the introduction it is to be regretted that the the great majority of the signatures of this copy have been removed. Of 180pp only 16pp remain being the pre-title and the rubricated title page, the proem and the adverts of Crowley. Those that remaining are loose. There is a 1.5in x 0.5in piece missing from vellum sheet that would cover base of spine plus a crack across vellum spine Order No. 200113 £100
Aleister Crowley, To A Brunette, (Vanity Fair Feb 1916) Small clipping of Crowley poem from the US version of the magazine G Order No. 200004 £10
Here is part of some very lengthy emails I've just received from Caduceus Books. I hope it's of some interest.
Ethel Archer's Occult Work:-
Ethel Archer, Manuscript and Typescript, Clipped together by Archer, they share a theme of magical and theological exploration. Present are:-
Result of the First Meditation, Summer 1911, Carbon copy 2pp with annotations. Commences "Solve Coagula. I have found it. IT, the secret of Perpetual Motion, the riddle of the Universal Sphinx..." and ends "This ought to be illustrated by a mathematical table...Did I Myself attempt the same, it would but result in a reflection of myself which is, CHAOS." It appears to be an artifact of an extreme mindspace, possibly drug induced, possibly exalted, probably achieved in the context of A.'.A.'. Work operated under Crowley.
"Extract from the Book of the Secret Though of the ONE who is MAN"! IX THE BLACK GOD" half page manuscript (complete), signed, dated 17th Feb. 1913. Perhaps influenced by Book of Lies. On reverse is a portion of a letter where Archer mentions Neuburg and that she has been writing a lot of "demoniac scrawls lately & my pen positively refuses to write from West to East".
Fable, 1pp typescript (carbon copy) which commences "The Devil, who was a wise man" and at the end identifies the Devil with eternity.
Bubbles, a Little Sermon on Breaks. one leaf manuscript, page and a bit of text. A review of Book of Lies which mentions Crowley, Neuburg and Waddell by their magical names.
Dream, typescript 5pp. Dated 5th Oct 1911 describes a dream of a Mass like ritual with a priest in a robe and a dancing child wearing a serpentine crown Dating years before the Gnostic Mass was written and many years the piece might be regarded as prescient. VG Order No. 200086 £185
Other copies of some components of this lot are also present independently:-
Ethel Archer, Extract from The Book of the Secret Thought of the One Who is the Many, IX The Black God, Typescript 1pp written in 1913 G+ Order No. 200093 £40
Ethel Archer, Extract from the Book of the SECRET THOUGHT of the ONE who is the MANY, IX THE BLACK GOD, Manuscript not dated 1913 1pp 136 words VG Order No. 200092 £45
Ethel Archer, Fable, Typescript Feb 1911 1pp Commences "The Devil, who was a wise man..." and ends with identification of the Devil with eternity G+ Order No. 200094 £35
Ethel Archer, My First Three Skryings, Typescript not dated Typescript 5 foolscap leaves. Commences with an introduction which draws attention to "Picking Fir Cones" and article in the English Review by Algernon Blackwood as giving a good description of the experience of astral projection. She then gives three accounts of the experience from her diary dated 24th Feb., 4th June and 21st of June 1912. This is of importance as information concerning the astral experiences of a member of the A.'.A.'. in its earliest days and also upon Ethel's own work as a poet of the imagination A copy of this was made by Gerlad Yorke and iis present in the Warburg Institute. VG Order No. 200029 £100
Ethel Archer, Quabalistic and Astrological Diagrams, Manuscripts not dated Two sheets 11ins x 8ins One is a Tree of Life diagram with attributions in pen and a further rough diagram and notes in pencil on reverse. The other diagram has circular pattern giving attributions of Sephiroth, days of the week, various planetary associations, astrological signs, months and elements. Some rough quabalistic notes on reverse. Working diagrams of a member of the A.'.A.'. under Crowley. Leaves have split in two along creases G+ Order No. 200055 £60
Ethel Archer, The Magnum Opus, A Heat Wave Phantasy, Manuscript (1933?) 4pp Perhaps a fictionalised dream, describes the creation of a symbolic harp, the length of strings relating to the proportions of the solar system designed so as to play the music of the spheres VG Order No. 200091 £40
Ethel Archer, Prologue, A Dream, Manuscript 2pp Dated 1909 but written sometime after 1919. A short piece dealing with the nature of incarnation VG (some rust stains) Order No. 200098 £35
Ethel Archer, Prologue, A Dream, Manuscript 1909 2pp manuscript. Plus incomplete typescript of the same piece. Short piece describing the death of a sage who has lived his life "According to the precepts of the Great Ones" and the perceptions concerning that he derives from this experience. Tears along creases Quite worn and dog eared Order No. 200097 £35
Ethel Archer, Untitled, Manuscript not dated 6pp foolscap. A substantial piece describing practices for the cultivation of enlightenment. The exercises are a down to earth form of bhakti yoga without religious accouterments. The piece is not derivative of Crowley but is intended to encourage exalted consciousness. An otherwise lost piece of work which may be considered to be of some importance G Order No. 200099 £60
Ethel Archer, Dream, Manuscript Oct. 1911 4pp Describes a Mass like ritual with a priest in a white robe, a dancing child and a serpent crown. Written some years before Crowley penned the Gnostic Mass G+ Order No. 200095 £40
Ethel Archer, Intuition, Its Nature and Cultivation, Typescript not dated 11 leaves typed on one side with two pages of handwritten text on reverse plus annotations throughout. Appears to be text of a lecture given to a spiritualist organisation. It suggests intuition is the quality that makes clairvoyance and divination work and then cogently argues why this is so, how intuition can be cultivated and its importance as a spiritual path by which the student may uncover their divinity G Order No. 200071 £45
Her Diaries:-
Ethel Archer, Diary, October 28th 1911 - Feb 3rd 1913 with some subsequent entries, Manuscript 65 sides This period covers the height of her involvement with the "Equinox Crew". There are many references to Crowley , Leila Waddell or "Mother of Heaven", Nina Hammett, Madame de Steiger, Mrs. Strickland, Victor Nuburg, George Rafflovich, Leon Kennedy, "Flapper" Hayes (whose suicide so shocked Neuburg); Gwendolin Otter, Mary de Este Sturge, the Equinox offices, Wyndham Lewis, Lord Dunsany, Jacob Epstein, etc etc. Also material about her family. It does provide real insight into the personalities and flavour of these the very earliest of Thelemic scenes. He attitude is ambiguous. She explicitly regards Crowley as a Great Man and calls him "the Guru" and "the Holy One" however she is not blind to his faults. She is very scathing concerning the ethics of some close to him. Particularly the social aspect of the cult is evident and Archer's life is testimony to friendships forged then surviving disenchantment with Crowley. Whilst there is mention of dreams and occasional exercises it is a record of her feelings and life around her rather than being a magocal diary. Some pagination has been added at a later date Pages quite worn at edges with some tears Order No. 200053 £700
A Eulogy by her to her husband:-
Ethel Archer, To Bunco, Manuscript not dated 6pp Touching eulogy to her dead husband describing their life together, his wartime exploits and his death VG Order No. 200114 £35
Eugene Wieland & Ethel Archer, Marriage Certificate etc, , 1908 7ins x 17ins Provides such useful information such as their ages, profession of their fathers etc. Interestingly they appear to have been living together when married. Also enclosed Ethel Wieland's wartime registration card dated 1915 plus a mounted photograph of a cottage, an annotation in Ethel's hand on reverse confirms that this was where she was born folded G Order No. 200144 £25
An Item Translated by Ethel Archer:-
Muhammad Hafiz Syed, Untitled Typescript, Translated by Ethel Archer, c.1937 185 leaves of typescript with handwritten annotations by Archer. An academic text concerning the nature of Hindu religion and philosophy which was, apparently, never published. Also present:-Two hand written letters 18th and 25 Nov. 1937 from Syed to Archer, 6 sides
Typed Letter Signed, 8th Dec. 1937 from Ethel Archer to Syed which mentions Paul Brunton, 3 sides VG Order No. 200137 £60
Images of Ethel Archer:-
Contempory Photographic Print, Aug 1927 6ins x 4ins. Note in Archer's hand on reverse note that it was taken near Midhurst One corner stained G+ Order No. 200118 £20
Contempory Photographic Print, not dated 7ins x 7ins. Archer as a young woman VG Order No. 200120 £12
Ethel Archer, Photographs, Not dated 1920's 8 photographic prints, small format VG Order No. 200126 £30
Original Photograph, Pearl Freeman not dated 8ins x 6ins in larger card folder signed by the photographer. Profile. Card quite stained slightly affecting image Order No. 200122 £20
Original Photograph, Not dated 7ins x 5ins on larger card. Profile Probably taken in her 20's. Card quite stained (not affecting picture). Penciled signature, presumably the photographer VG Order No. 200122 £25
Original Photograph, Pearl Freeman not dated (1920s?) 8ins x 6ins in larger card folder signed by the photographer. Profile. Card quite stained slightly affecting image Order No. 200123 £25
Original Photograph, not dated 7ins x 5ins on larger card Full face. Probably taken in her 20's. Some wear to card (not affecting picture). Penciled signature, presumably the photographer Order No. 200121 £20
Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to Ethel Archer:-
Aleister Crowley, Typed Letter Signed, to Ethel Archer, 10th Sept 1914 On headed note paper with the 33 Avenue Studios address and the OTO lamen printed in red. 47 words. The letter request the return of a book and request information as to how her and her husband are. A very rare example of Crowley's earliest use of the OTO lamen plus confirmation of the address of the first Thelemic OTO headquarters VG Order No. 200013 £1050
Aleister Crowley, Handwritten Letter, to Ethel Archer, Jan 25th 1920 Written on two sides 104 words, signed Aleister Crowley with the phallic "A" The note paper is of a Paris hotel though Crowley has crossed this out and replaced it with his address in Fountainbleau. The letter concerns her husbands income from Crowley, probably in relation to a claim for a war widow's pension. There is an intriguing reference to a £100 for the 33 degree book during the last year before the war. The tone seems a little abrupt VG in original envelope Order No. 200010 £750
Aleister Crowley, Handwritten Letter, to Ethel Archer, Undated (c1931) letter in original envelope 119 words two sides. Addressed to Cara S., with salutation or "31" and "93" and ends with "93 93/93 Yours The Beast 666". It mentions J.W.N. Sullivan and asks that Ethel does not use Swaroff or Silver Star presumably in her book the Hieroglyph. A note suggests some alternative initials to A.'.A.'. Crowley wants to meet her but charmingly says he has to "cut out all joys in June as he has 8 years of work to do in 31 days" VG Order No. 200006 £800
Aleister Crowley, Handwritten Letter, to Ethel Archer, not dated (Ethel Archer has annotated in pencil with the date July 8th 1932) 75 words. Request a copy of Archer title "Wish-Phantasms" and askes her to ring up and visit. Signed A.C. with the phallic "A" The recipient has dated the letter VG Order No. 200014 £650
Aleister Crowley, Handwritten Letter, to Ethel Archer, Letter dated 8th July 1932, annotation on envelope dated June 29th 1936. 510 words. Addressed Cara Soror and signed "Ever yours fraternally 666" this letter uses the Thelemic salutations in full. They have obviously met again after a long gap and Crowley apologises for being a little abrupt. He then lectures Ethel Archer upon her interpersonal skills in a manner which probably says more about Crowley than her. It mentions Windram and others by initials. Curiously the envelope has a brief note from Crowley concerning the receipt of a cheque and calling round to visit which is dated 1936. How this came to be is an enigma? Paper splitting along folds in places G+ Order No. 200011 £900
Aleister Crowley, Handwritten Letter, to Ethel Archer, 20th Sept 1937 Small format hotel note paper with details crossed out and Crowley's own address and phone number written in. 64 words signed "Fraternally 666". He mentions he is moving and asks her to "be an angel" and send some kit bags to him VG in original envelope Order No. 200009 £650
Aleister Crowley, Handwritten Letter, to Ethel Archer, 27 Sept 1937 On small format note paper of Langham Hotel in London though this has been crossed out and another London address written in. 68 words He thanks Ethel for a diploma and notes the company (and their charge) which supplied Yarker's charter He then wonders about the whereabouts of the OTO charter which he gave to Eugene Wieland. Signed A.C. with the phallic "A" VG in original envelope Order No. 200005 £750
Aleister Crowley, Handwritten Letter, to Ethel Archer, 5th March (1939) 114 words. Uses Thelemic salutations abbreviated to 93's and is signed "Yours fraternally 666". Describes forthcoming publication of Temperance and ends hoping that "any small war isn't bothering you too much". He then states that people MUST see the use of one universal principle at the base of Social structure and that the Law of Thelema is the one possibility VG Order No. 200015 £900
Aleister Crowley, Handwritten Letter, to Ethel Archer, March 9th (1939) 124 words Signed 666 and uses the Thelemic salutations abbreviated to 93's He mentions how well he feels after his holiday and that he has been "busy in bed" so has done nothing else. He also mentions that he is planning a publication of the Tao The King VG Order No. 200016 £800
Aleister Crowley, Typed Letter Signed, to Ethel Archer, 27th Sept. 1943 353 words on two small format sheets of note paper with the OTO lamen printed in red. It is addressed "Care Frater" and Signed "Yours fraternally To Mega Therion 666 9 = 2 A.'.A.'. Bathomet X 33 90 97 It gived the greetings of the Autumn Equinox together with the Word of the Equinox, the Omen and the Oracle. The word is derived from the Abramelin squares and there is a substantial discussion as to its nature. The omen is derived by throwing the ring onto the manuscript Liber Al and the Oracles is an I Ching hexagram Some staining and creases G+ Order No. 200012 £950
Books and Ephemera by Aleister Crowley retained by Ethel Archer:-
Aleister Crowley, Collected Works, , Society for Promotion of Religious Truth (S.P.O.R.T.) 1907. Three volumes bound together I limp card bound with white buckram top edge gilt. xi + 269pp, vii + 282pp, vii + 248pp. Considerable grubbiness and a few ink spots to white cloth, edges of pages browned. Has ownership signature and address of Ethel Archer G+ Order No. 200044 £385
Aleister Crowley, Wanted, Theft, Embezzlement, Etc,.... Victoria Cremers, not dated (c1914) Single sheet 5ins x 8ins printed on one side. Has a crude caricature of Cremers and offers £5 for information leading to her apprehension and conviction. There follows a deeply insulting test with accusations of sexual harassment of young girls and "white-slave blackmail gangs". In the first instance information is to be taken to "L.W." (Leilah Waddell) care of Wieland and Co. etc. Crowley accused Cremers of poisoning Leilah heart against him. Eugene Wieland diaries give a different spin that Leilah's relationship with Cremers gave her the strength to resist Crowleys demands for sodomy and her wages. However, Cremers and Crowley argued, Cremers fell ill and withdrew and Leilah again fell under Crowley's influence. Very rare item of ephemera unmentioned in the bibliographies Top edge slightly creased VG+ Order No. 200056 £350
Aleister Crowley, Postcard, Sent from Eugene Wieland to Ethel Archer, Not dated (c1914) 4ins x 3ins with image of shaven headed. The picture is familiar and has the printed signature "Crowley" with Baphometic Cross. Frustratingly the date of the postmark is illegible but given that Eugene Wieland died in 1915 the picture must have been taken at least two years earlier than generally realised. This version, being in landscape format, shows more of Crowleys shoulders than that published in the Equinox. It is probably Eugene Wieland who has penciled in the hair (with the phallic forelock) which Crowley probably had when the card was sent. A rare example of Crowley ephemera that is none of the bibliographies Some marks G+ Order No. 200023 £300
Aleister Crowley, Temperance, A Tract for the Times, OTO 1939 1st Ed Card covers ( a larger sheet folded once to give) 11ins x 8ins bound with gold string. Number 50 of Ltd. Ed. Of 50 16pp signed by Aleister Crowley with the phallic "A". There is also an additional inscription by the author "To Ethel Archer | also a maker of rimes | from Aleister Crowley | with love" There is some grubbiness and creasing to the covers, very slight wear to edges overall G+, gold thread darkened. internally Fine Order No. 200002 £1100
Aleister Crowley, Mr. Aleister Crowley At Home, An Experiment Will Be Made In the Effect Of..., not dated (1910) Single sheet folded once to give 4pp leaflet with one page printed text. Clearly printed to announce a series of experimental ceremonies. It gives six rules for those attending a series of rituals and has spaces for writing information pertinent to the particular ritual. The appropriate annotations are handwritten (possibly by Crowley) and note that the meeting will be held at "8.30 p.m. Tuesday Aug. 2nd"; the experiment will be "a ceremony to invoke Saturn"; there is little expectation of a result before "midnight"...It is exceedingly inadvisable to leave before this hour; the deity chosen for this evening is "Saturn". Following the rule that everyone who is a Probationer of the A.'.A.'. should wear the robe is added tha annotation that "others are asked to wear black morning dress." The points of conduct clearly indicate that the meeting is for probationers of the A.'.A.'. and others, that the ceremony was quite free form but involved drumming and chanting and went on for quite a long time. There are instructions concerning the use of drugs. By implication it was expected that drugs might be used but specifically counsels caution and suggests best results are obtained through A.'.A.'. Practices instead. This item is a very rare artifact of the ritual invocations which might be regarded as preliminaries for the Rites of Eleusis which were held later that same year. The methods will be recognised far beyond specifically Thelemic circles but also in wider neo-Pagan culture. Whilst some details change (nowadays people rarely attend drumming events in black morning dress) methods and issues remain demonstrating Crowley to be an historically important innovator. This item of ephemera has been folded twice, the reverse is quite discoloured as is the front edge G+ Order No. 200003 £425
Aleister Crowley and Others, The Equinox, Vol.I Nos 1 - 10, 1909 - 14 1st Ed Standard edition with paper covered boards bearing coloured Equinox design plus advertisements. The removal of some contributions by Ehtel Archer is curious as she obviously typed out her work again and again. One speculation is that she went through a period when she wished to disassociate herself from Crowley, perhaps even to the extent of removing some of her contributions.
No.1 Ownership signature of Ethel Archer dated January 1911 One page of John St. John has penciled underlining. Some slight wear and marks but overall
No.2 Has ownership signature of Ethel Archer dated 1910 Greater Ritual of Pentagram has some penciled annotations indicating it has been worked with, Psychology of Hashish has penciled annotation and some underlining. Very small amount of penciled annotation to Handbook of Geomancy and Note of Genesis. Black silk bookmarks in place, Spine label browned and some pieces missing but boards protected by improvised paper dustwrapper. Binding loose.
No.3 On p.279 there is a discussion of Abramelin Workings where Crowley states that Frater Ae.A. fled Boleskine as a result. There is a penciled annotation by Frater Ae.A. (ie Charles Rosher, a good friend of the Wielands) which states that this is "..a damnable lie". A photograph of Rosher with Wieland is enclosed. It is signed and dated 30th June 1913 by Rosher. Half of spine label missing, paper covering boards somewhat marked, wear to edges of boards top and tail of spine
No.4 Spine label entirely present some slight darkening and marks to paper covering the boards
No.5 Ownership signature of Ethel Wieland. Page carrying her poem "The Vampire" has been removed. First two pages loose. Spine label is fully present but has some slight staining, uneven browning to paper covering back board, some marks to covers
No.6 An anonymous poem titled "Song" is identified on contents page as being by Ethel Archer (in her hand). The page carrying her poem has been removed. Spine label present but slightly worn around edges, some wear to paper covering boards
No.7 Pages carrying the poem "Silence" by Ethel Archer have been removed. Liber Israfel has pebciled annotations indicating it has been worked with. Spine label worn around edges, front hinge split, wear to paper covering boards and edges of boards
No.8 Spine label complete but edge loose, some marks and wear to paper covering boards and board edges G+
No.9 Page carrying "The Fairy Fiddler" by Ethel Archer has been removed. Front hinge split, spine label complete, Paper covering board somewhat worn, edge of board worn
No.10 Fair amount of wear to paper covering front and back boards, spine label complete, line of white paint across spine but Good sound copy Order No 200057 £1650
Aleister Crowley, The Beast 666, Thumbs Up!, A Pentagram - a Panticle to win the war, O.T.O. 1941 Card covers 12pp No. 10 of 100 copies. As called for it has tipped in a copy of the plate of Crowley titled "the Student" found in Equinox Vol. I No.3. printed in red rather than the purple used in the Equinox. It has the amusing errata slip which mentions that the V sign adopted by Churchill was an invocation of Apophis and Typhon, This copy is signed by Crowley using the phallic "A". Very unobtrusive crease to front cover though nevertheless Fine, internally there is a stain affecting the middle two pages and just visible on the other sides of those leaves, overall VG Order No. 200001 £800
Aleister Crowley, Foyle's Literary Luncheons, Twenty-Third Luncheon, Speaker Mr. Aleister Crowley, Foyle's 15th Sept. 1932 Folded card with coloured decoration giving the menu and details of the toasts. The reverse has an amusing peice by Christina Foyle about breaking the ice and not waiting for a formal introduction to your neighbour. Crowley noted in his diary that the talk went very well. A very scarce item of Crowley ephemera that would only have been available to those who actually attended the event. some marks G+ Order No. 200038 £190
Aleister Crowley, The Worlds Tragedy, Privately Printed 1910 Blank paper covers in folded vellum sheet which if folded around the book is a similar fashion to a dustwrapper. This vellum sheet is printed in red and is decorated with a gilt stamped eye in the triangle. Whilst mostly copies have some pages missing from the introduction it is to be regretted that the the great majority of the signatures of this copy have been removed. Of 180pp only 16pp remain being the pre-title and the rubricated title page, the proem and the adverts of Crowley. Those that remaining are loose. There is a 1.5in x 0.5in piece missing from vellum sheet that would cover base of spine plus a crack across vellum spine Order No. 200113 £100
Aleister Crowley, To A Brunette, (Vanity Fair Feb 1916) Small clipping of Crowley poem from the US version of the magazine G Order No. 200004 £10
