Self Bound 3 Book Set - Each Book is one of a Kind as is the Set - Brother Shadow Estate
Availability: In stock
Collection: All Products, Antiques/Estate, Books, Brother Shadow Estate, Exclusives, Magic Books, Mentalism, Mentalism Magic, Type Book, What's New
This offering absolutely is targeted to an extremely niche genre. The psychic or bizarre performer that also appreciates obtaining pieces from the earlier pioneers in this field (hence the phrase we stand on the shoulder of giants). Brother Shadow is one such giant. The provenance is easy - previous owner - Carl Herron. Who will be the next person preserve the these pieces of history and incredible creators of ambience.
Three classic books in Magic and Magick all of which were personally hard bound by hand by Brother Shadow, who I was informed recently by Melton Francis, it's very likely that Carl (Brother Shadow) learned how to accomplish this technique (of self binding) by his dear and close friend Tony Andruzzi (Tom Palmer). As many of you already know Tom also bounded many of his books and that was before technology evolved and/or being able to source "binding" projects easily.
As you can see when the books are nestled together - side-by-side the image and ambience they radiate is perfection. At least in so much as accomplishing exactly what Carl Herron was trying to establish.
Important distinction: These books are NOT intended to be read. That doesn't mean you can't but for lack of a better term their "best use and practices" are intended to remain in display (either on a shelf or stack on your readers table. The primary function is to help create or supplement an ambience for the bizzarist mentalist, that ideally would be in addition to other oddities the potential owner may have or is working to obtain.
Book One: The Discovery of Witchcraft interestingly has a front cover that features a cross perhaps to prevent the the contained works from taking hold. Or possibly as a disguise. It's all speculative. It features the Ex Libris stamp and designation that it came from the library of Brother Shadow (Carl Herron). Upon turning the next pages a pressed seal is immediately recognized (see images) which reads: "Library of Brother Shadow," along with the initials CLH in the middle of the seal. This is the first time we have witnessed a "seal" thus far. While all 3 of these books (and many others from his collection) contain the Ex Libris sticker, this could be the first time we have witnessed his Seal thus far.
This was printed by Dover which reads: "This Dover edition, first published in 1972, is an unabridged and unaltered republication of the work originally published in Great Britain by John Rodker in 1930.
The condition of the book and binding is very good meaning the binding remains extremely solid and the condition of the rest of the book is equally very good. With the understanding of what they are intended to be.
Book Two: Discovering Mysteries of the Natural World - Ivan T. Sanderson Investigating the Unexplained. 1972. Of all the three books Carl's application of the titles, author and other symbols and words he added to the cover and the side these are the most pronounced and bold. Both the front and the side. As we know Carl was gifted as an artist and he absolutely nailed it applying the words and symbols on the front cover and spine. Refer to the group shot for the spine and another image for the front cover artwork. This book is 339 pages. In addition to adding his Ex Libris sticker he added unique signatures on the inside cover or the actual book he signs Brother Shadow adding the pointed arrow and other art work we often see he favored. Interestingly and on the back cover of the actual book, he signs his real name: Carl Herron - B R, with other artwork.
Condition: The Binding is remains in tact, there are no loose pages but keep in mind these were self-binded by Carl. The fact they are in tact after all this years is a testament to the quality job he did. However this binding not to the degree as The Discoverie of Witchcraft. Once again as stated these books are not meant to be read.
Third Book: NecroNomIcon is 216 pages and of the three books while it does show the most wear again we are not judging these one normal criteria. The binding remains in tact but of all the books this is the one I would least want to open it and read it because it is the smallest of the books and just by its features it would be more likely to be taxed.
Specs: The Discovery of Witchcraft - 10 1/8" Tall x 6 3/4" x 1" Thick - 282 Pages
Investigating the Unexplained - Book of Shadow - 8 1/4" Tall x 6" Wide x 1 3/8" Thick - 339 pages
NecroNomIcon - 7" Tall x 4 1/2" Wide x 1" Thick (sightly less then 1" actually) - 218 pages.
