Experimetum: Potens Magna in Occult Philosophy

Hockley, Frederick (scribe and artist). Experimetum: Potens Magna in Occult Philosophy. Society of Esoteric Endeavour, 2012.

Transcription & Translation of Text and Brief Essay by Dan Harms. First Edition. Number 4 of a Limited Edition of 100 Copies. Book. Half bound in sheepskin leather, tanned to be pliable, soft and water resistant. The remainder of the boards are covered with hand made marbled paper in a traditional 19th century pattern and treated with beeswax to give it a water resident finish. The marbled paper has been backed with padding, bringing it flush to the leather bring it flush with leather. All making the book pleasant to touch. The gilt blocked title on the spine and the blind blocked decoration emulate the script and decorations used by Hockley internally. The paper used is 160 gsm mould made with natural laid texture. The original manuscript is lawed with discolouration, show through and offsetting. These have all been reproduced in facsimile. As the pages are printed Giclée process, not as photos of a book, so it appears as if the reader actually has an old bound manuscript. The Transcript and Commentary is printed in a legible calligraphic hand sympathetic with Hockley’s styles. A tinted paper is used, so that this latter section does not visibly jar with the appearance of the facsimile section. 8¼ inch ; x 9⅞ inch;. Facsimile of Title page + 32pp. + A Brief Essay Concerning Experimentum by Dan Harms. Of 3pp. + Experimentum Transcribed and Annotated by Dan Harms. of 34pp. Incl. Bibliography. As an insert there is a bookmark featuring the waxed marbled paper. Chemise. Blue cloth bound boards. Leather label with title and spine decoration blocked in gilt. Internally, it will feature Plate IV enhanced to be as it would have been when executed by Hockley. So signs of discolouration have been removed.

Although the illustrations are striking now, when Hockley drew them he included considerable ornate embellishment in gold, copper, and silver inks. These have all tarnished now, and can only be discerned by close examination of the original manuscript. For this chemise, Plate IV has been reproduced using modern stable metallic inks, thereby restoring it to its original appearance. 8¾ inch; x 9¾ inch. Slipcase. Blue cloth open end edged with gilt decoration. Marbled paper on top, bottom, & back. 8⅞ inch; x 10⅛ inch;.

[From the publisher: “In the work Hockley collects a number of rituals, giving some a powerful visual form, akin to a Mandala. In the final ritual, a perilous invocation of Oberion, he records the appearance of the spirit in a grotesque form reminiscent of Edvard Munch’s the Scream. This shows Hockley to be an occult artist of a status hitherto unrealised in publications of his work. One wonders if the references to the ritual use of cannabis and opium in Experimentum signal tools that Hockely used. There are magical procedures for causing the destruction of enemies, routing out thievery, the magical protection of places and buildings, magical fascination, fulfilling sexual desire and a perilous invocation of the spirit Oberion.” In his accompanying essay the editor, Dan Harms, explains the context of the work, examining Hockley’s sources and the circles in which he moved, including that of the Society of the Mecurii.]

A low number of 100 copies and with the optional Slipcase and Chemise, a unique copy in Mint Condition. Out of Print.