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For sale is a rare 1975 first UK edition of The Tarot by Joseph Maxwell, translated and enriched with an introduction and notes by Ivor Powell, published by Neville Spearman Ltd., London (ISBN 0-85435-292-9, printed September 1975). This hardcover is in Good condition, featuring clean pages, a tight binding, and the original dust jacket with minor damage to back cover and DJ—ideal for collectors of esoteric literature and signed books.
The standout feature is the personal inscription on the title page: "Pat & Jesse, who don't need explanations – Love, Ivor '78", handwritten by Ivor Powell. Powell, a respected British scholar and translator, brought Maxwell’s 1933 French masterpiece (Le Tarot: Le Symbole, Les Arcanes, La Divination) to English-speaking readers with meticulous annotations. A key figure in London’s 1960s–80s occult scene, Powell’s work elevates this pre-Waite-Smith Marseille Tarot study, blending alchemy, astrology, and Kabbalah into a profound hermetic philosophy.
The inscription is addressed to Pat Lasky (1927–2010), a British TV writer known for The Saint, and her husband Jesse Lasky Jr. (1920–1988), an American screenwriter and son of Hollywood pioneer Jesse Lasky Sr. Married in 1952 and later based in London, the Laskys shared a creative and mystical passion, making this a captivating association copy from their circle. The 1978 date hints at a personal gift, adding rich provenance.
Please see photos and feel free to make an offer!
