Cecil Williamson's Book of Witchcraft

From Troy Books: We are pleased to announce that the eagerly awaited Cecil Williamson's Book Witchcraft, A Grimoire of the Museum of Witchcraft by Steve Patterson is now available for pre order.

 In 1996, whilst helping the then new owner Graham King in refurbishments to the Museum of Witchcraft, Steve happened upon a handwritten manuscript entitled simply ‘Witchcraft’ and containing an intriguing pot-pourri of esoterica from the hand of the Museum's founder; Cecil Williamson. It is this manuscript which provides the basis for Steve's book which includes a full annotated transcript of the ‘Witchcraft’ manuscript, a history of Cecil Williamson and the Museum of Witchcraft, a treatise on Cecil Williamson’s vision of traditional Witchcraft - the practices and the philosophy of the wayside witches, an account of his meetings with Aleister Crowley and Gerald Gardner, and a controversial account of his witnessing of the birth of ‘Wicca’. The book is both a valuable reliquary of practices for the traditional witch, and a resource for folklorists and historians alike; telling the tale of a hitherto largely ignored, but hugely influential episode in modern occult history, and one of the great unsung heroes of the twilight world of folklore and witchcraft.

The book is available in the following editions:

All four editions are Royal format 234 x 156mm. 304 pages with 32 black and white photo plates.

 A Standard Hardback Edition, black case binding with gold foil blocking to the front and spine, 90gsm cream paper stock, burgundy endpapers with red and black head and tail bands.

 A Special Edition, cream 175gsm ripple finish dust jacket, bound in burgundy cloth with gold foil blocking to the front and spine, black end papers with red and black head and tail bands. Lithographic printing on 120gsm cream paper stock with sewn binding. Limited to 300 hand numbered examples.

A Fine Edition, hand bound in burgundy hand finished goat leather with gold foil blocking to the front and spine, marbled end papers and marker ribbon. Lithographic printing on 120gsm cream paper stock with sewn binding. Limited to 30 signed and hand numbered examples. This edition will be issued with an embossed, lined library buckram slipcase.

 A Special Fine Edition, hand bound in terracotta fine hand polished and finished goat leather, gold foil blocking to the front and spine, marbled end papers and marker ribbon. Lithographic printing on 120gsm cream paper stock with sewn binding. Limited to 10 signed and hand numbered examples. This edition will be issued with a lined, hand carved oak box, made and carved by the author

 Paperback edition to follow.

Contents:

 

Pagination: 304 pages, illustrated with line drawings from Cecil Williamson's 'WITCHCRAFT' notebook and imagery related to the Museum of Witchcraft, plus 32 pages of black and white photographic plates.

 

Foreword by Graham King

 Introduction

 Introduction Notes

Book One – The 'WITCHCRAFT' Notebook:

Spells and Charms

 Notes for 'Spells and Charms'

 Divination

 Notes for 'Divination'

 Amulets

 Notes for 'Amulets'

 Magical Figures

 Notes for 'Magical Figures'

Book Two – Cecil Williamson – A West Country Cunning Man:

The Cecil Williamson Story

 Notes for 'The Cecil Williamson Story'

 Meeting with such Fascinating Persons

 Notes for 'Meeting with such Fascinating Persons'

 The Spider's Web

 Notes for 'The Spider's Web'

 Come Drink... From the Cup of Forbidden Knowledge!

 Notes for 'Come Drink... From the Cup of Forbidden Knowledge!'

Appendices

Bibliography

Index

 Prices: all editions