Rare books from Low Brow Books

NB* Witches Three, Fletcher Pratt, Fritz Leiber, James Blish, Twayne, New York, 1952, First Edition. One in the "Twayne Triplet" series. Edited(uncredited) by Mr. Pratt. Ten page introduction by John Ciardi entitled, "A Plea for Witches". Inscribed copy: "For Michael, with best wishes, Fritz Leiber, 1983." Collects three works featuring 'modern witches': the novel Blue Star(a new story) by Pratt; Leiber's brilliant gothic pastiche of academic life, Conjure Wife; & There Shall be no more Darkness, a novella from Blish. Some separation at pages, 62, 222 & 254. (see images). Boards a bit rubbed and soiled, but pages are clean and binding is otherwise holding nicely. Jacket presents better than the book with no noticeable fading on the spine, no significant chipping and only minor soiling on the rear jacket.(see also images) Inscription is on the title page next to Leiber's story. A Very Good only copy with Near Fine dustwrapper.Inv. # 32593 bds 2022

The King of the Witches, June Johns, Coward-McCann, New York, 1970; First US edition. Purple cloth boards in un-clipped wrapper.Black & white plates done by Jack Smith are commensurate with the UK Peter Davies, however they are arranged differently here.Book has slight warp or bow - please see pics. Some rubbing/soiling to boards and one bump in center of rear board. Yet, interior is quite fresh, very clean - jacket VG save for little chafing and purple stains from boards at both tail folds.LCCCN: 77-104689Inv. # 62587 bds 2022

8vo., Hamish Hamilton, 1973. An in-depth investigation by Ward Rutherford into a string of sex-crimes that were limited to the Jersey Islands. An effective portrayal of customs & mores of the period with particular emphasis and attention on the peculiar judicial system in place there.Near Fine/Near FineInv. # 62577 bds 2022

Aquarian Press, 1970, in soft wraps. Terrific lurid. A veritable time capsule which can serve as a bona fide research tool for those with an interest of the heady days of late 1960s London. No website to hide behind; here were REAL names of both adepts & quacks and where to find them! An interesting artifact- though don't expect to trace many of these street addresses now. Uncommon vintage paperback. Exceptional condition save for spotting on all edges. Very tight binding, extremely clean. Almost "As New". Inv. # 62542 bds 2023

NB*N.D., 12mo.(7.25 x 5"), Thynne & Co., London. J. Naylor; First Edition. "By quoting entirely from the writings of Spiritists, the author has brought forward undeniable evidence that Spiritism is dangerous, devilish, and devastating in its attempts to destroy the very foundations of the Christian faith." Having said that however, this work ostensibly acts as an apologetic for Spiritualism, or at the very least, a de facto advertisement. One corner bumped, others curved inwards; front hinge 'just' starting but otherwise holding well. Clean pages. Very Good. Jacket not price-clipped, pea sized chip at front top near spine, some very small tears and loss at jacket folds. Heavy soiling on reverse. Good+ Quite scarce. From collection of Dr. M.H. Coleman with his blind stamp on ffep. Very Good-/Good+ Inv. # 62540 bds 2023

"This edition is limited to 350 numbered copies- this copy unnumbered" Mandrake Press, Oxon, 1991, 8vo., unpaginated. [48] Introduction by Keith Richmond; edited by Anthony Naylor. Bound into attractive paper black boards (portfolio)with green endpapers; gilt title stamped on spine.. Ex-libris -English bibliophile & Aleister Crowley scholar Nicholas C. Bishop-Culpeper with his book label neatly affixed to front pastedown.Inv. # 62518 bds 2023

Hodder & Stoughton, London, 1972, Third Impression, Octavo (9 1/2 " ht); 601 p. book has inscription to ffep and light foxing to top & foredge; otherwise this is a clean, fresh, square, tight example. Clipped Biro jacket is very nice with just minuscule loss at spine head. Overall a very well-preserved, pleasing & attractive copy.
Inv. # 63535 bds 2023

The Minerva Press, London, 1971, Super Octavo (8 x 10.5"), 381 p. (published for The Minerva Press by Philip Wilson Publishers). red cloth binding with gilt top edge; twenty-four full page plates and numerous vignettes by legendary artist Harry Clarke; letter-press printed buttermilk-colored jacket with error - "Allen" on front flap; original retail price of $27.50, which computes to just a tick over $200 with today's inflation rate.
Book is in very fine condition with no noteworthy faults. Jacket has chipping at spine head with some loss, as well as a chip at spine tail. Upper flap folds shows a small chip. A touch of chafing is present along upper extremity. A lovely, well-preserved copy of The Minerva Press Edition of Poe's Tales of Mystery & Imagination.
Inv. # 63593 TMI* bds 7/2023

Stein & Day, New York, 1972 (Second Printing- first published 1971), 8vo., 383. quarter red cloth over green paper boards
Book has a rear lower bumped corner and a bump to lower front. There also is some soiling(red) to the front and rear boards. Internals very clean. Unclipped jacket has a "scrunch" with accompanying "waves" to the lower rear with a crease extending to the flap fold. (please see images).
Inv. # 63596 TG* bds 7/2023

black cloth binding. First Printing. boards have light edgewear, corners curved in slightly. Unclipped wrapper has a 15 mm open tear on the front at the top, minor soiling. Overall, a very tidy copy of Russell's first novel.

bound in publisher's dark red cloth. Binding is tight & clean. The dust jacket shows edge wear and small tears; the jacket head cap has been neatly excised and is backed now with matching colored paper (removable). Interior pages are clean.
Inv. # 63630 PATO* bds 8/2023

First Edition Thus; this volume re-issues two of Steiner's works: The Way of Initiation and Initiation and Its Results. Some shelfwear and soiling to edges, but the binding is generally clean & straight; internals are also in good order.
Inv. # 63648 TWOIAIR* bds 9/2023

Very Good antiquarian condition. Strong, tight binding, sturdy hinges; Clean pages with no foxing. From the author of The Awakening of the Sixth Sense". Uncommon*
Inv. # 63656 LGM* bds 9/2023

Binding is square, tight and clean save for a stray mark on reverse. Red top stain. Internals clean except for faint marginal spotting/staining on pp.136-37. Old Weiser booklabel on front pastedown. Unclipped wrapper has minor wrinkling/ small creases (it is a very thin gold foil paper jacket) plus some edgewear; else Fine. Fifty-seven illustrations on b/w plates interspersed throughout text; again, as mentioned elsewhere on this space; images perhaps those not commonly seen re-printed ad nauseum.
Inv. # TMA* bds 9/2023

9 x 12" Oversize format book. Upper corners bumped and light edgewear is apparent. Internals are clean. Unclipped wrapper has creasing along the upper edge of both front & reverse with moderate edgewear(and minor loss) along upper extremity. A 12.5 cm interior tape repair is at reverse of front. Otherwise there are no tears or large chips. Spine remains unfaded.
Inv. # 63768 EWD* bds 10/2023