THE MYSTIC SERPENT. London: Iliffe & Son, 1891. Octavo, pp. [1-9] 10-418 [419-424: ads], original decorated blue cloth, spine and front panels stamped in gold and black, decorated endpapers with floral pattern printed in gray. First edition. "Sensational occult novel of epic psychic war between the Eblis Club and the Gnostic Sisterhood; wild and wooly stuff, rife with fantastic and horrific episodes. A running list of elements therein would include: Druidic survivals, Baal-worship, hallucinogenic drugs, secret poisons, vivisection, man-made monstrosities that feed on human flesh, resurrection of the ancient dead by alchemy, and a brief appearance by his Satanic Majesty. Somewhat confused and overlong, but really quite entertaining, more so than most occult novels of the period." - Robert Knowlton. Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy (I), pp. 66-7. Not in Bleiler (1948; 1978) or Reginald (1979; 1992). Cloth worn at spine ends and corner tips, outer joints rubbed, cloth dusty, pulpy paper stock darkened (but not brittle), a very good copy of a very scarce book virtually never found in decent condition. (#170569).
Price: $2,000.00
No statement of printing.