Occult & Esoterica
[CROSSLEY, James (Edited by)] Autobiographical Tracts of Dr. John Dee, Warden of the College of Manchester (Facsimile Edition, Magickal Childe)
[CROSSLEY, James (Edited by)] Autobiographical Tracts of Dr. John Dee, Warden of the College of Manchester (Facsimile Edition, Magickal Childe)
No Place [UK]: No Publisher [Chthonios Books], No Date. Facsimile Edition. Hardcover. Octavo. 85 pages, printed on rectos only. Bound in Maroon boards with gilt spine titles. Issued without dust jacket. One b&w drawing. It is believed that this volume was produced by Chthonios Books (probably 50 copies or less) especially for Herman Slater's Magickal Childe bookstore in New York. 'Magickal Childe' is printed at base of spine. There is a Chthonios Books sticker on rear pastedown. The quality of the 'printing' isn't the best - the sheets appearing to have been xeroxed from a copy of the original edition. Despite the rather cheap production values, this remains a very uncommon volume. Some very light rubbing to cover, otherwise a near fine copy.
Originally published in 1851, this work includes several autobiographical texts written by Dee, including excerpts from his personal diary, letters, and other documents that shed light on his life and work. Dee was a highly educated man who was deeply interested in science, mathematics, and the occult. He was also a close advisor to Queen Elizabeth I and played an important role in the development of English navigation and cartography. Thses tracts reveal his struggles with finances, his friendships with other intellectuals of the time, his fascination with the supernatural and the occult, and more.





