Books

Citadel Press, New York. 1955. 163 pages with index. First American Edition stated, first printing. Book is very fine. Binding and hinges are sound. Pages and endpapers are clean. Red cloth boards are bright and clean with four sharp corners; stamped in black titles on spine. Original DJ with $4.00 price intact on flap. DJ is about near fine with minor evidence of shelf-rubbing at crown; minimal soiling to rear of DJ. This is the seminal text of the English Wiccan, and Father of Wicca, Gerald Gardner, who was instrumental in popularizing the Pagan religion of Wicca, and writing some of its definitive religious texts. He is the namesake of Gardnerian Wicca; and the founding member of the Bricket Wood coven, where he introduced a string of High Priestesses into the religion, including Doreen Valiente, Lois Bourne, Patricia Crowther and Eleanor Bone, through which the Gardnerian community spread throughout Britain, into Australia and America, in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Gardner also became director of the Museum of Magic and Witchcraft on the Isle of Man, which he ran until his death, in 1964. An important, first American edition, first printing. Rare in fine condition; housed in its original VG++ DJ.