1990 approx 88pp Temple Press Limited. Illustrated by Austin Osman Spare. Green boards with gilt device and titling to front board, gilt titling on spine. No dustwrapper as issued. Near fine.
 
Ltd. Ed. 458/500. Loosely inserted is an A5 4pp illustrated flyer for this title, printed on glossy paper.
 
First published in 1911 by The Bodley Head in an edition of 350 copies. This collection of aphorisms has ten tissue-guarded black and white illustrations by Austin Osman Spare. The first publication by Temple Press, rumour has it that the publishing house was partly founded in order for Genesis to print something from his collection of Austin Spare material. This edition is dedicated “To Alaura” i.e. Alaura O’Dell, who became Paula Porridge, an essential member of the Psychic TV/T.O.P.Y. Collective before her acrimonious split with Genesis.
 
An example of two of the aphorisms:
 
Only a few keep step with the music of the spheres. Most march majestically through life to the squeal of the penny whistle.
 
Man said to Woman, “O beautiful one.” Woman said to Man, “O clever one” … so He Who is both beautiful and clever turned them out of Eden.