PLANETARY JOURNEYS AND EARTHLY SKETCHES

[London]: Arnold Fairbairns & Co. Ltd., 1908. First edition. Front hinge starting, half title page tanned, otherwise contents nice and clean, moderate age darkening to spine, a nearly fine copy. Above average condition for this scarce title. (25454). Small octavo, pp. [1-8] 1-163 [164: printer's imprint] [165-166: ads] [167-168: blank] [note: last leaf is a blank], original pictorial light blue cloth, front panel stamped in white and gold, spine panel stamped in gold, t.e.g. "Whimsical fantasies; the first four a series of interplanetary visits, philosophical discussion with alien inhabitants that serve as vehicles for commentary on artistic and social issues of the day. Aliens descended from Empedocles, Greek philosopher who, 'voyaging through air,' reached this distant world, mated with its sole inhabitant and by her kiss became immortal. Hellenophilia pronounced throughout collection." - Robert Knowlton. The author was an occultist associated with Aleister Crowley, who published articles by Raffolovich in his journal, THE EQUINOX, and republished PLANETARY JOURNEYS AND EARTHLY SKETCHES as ON THE LOOSE. Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 1823. Locke, A Spectrum of Fantasy, p. 180. Locke, Voyages in Space 168. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, Additions. Bleiler (1978), p. 163. Reginald 11972.