q and a : cadeceus books : ben fernee

one of the most impressive array of rare occult books i've ever found is at www.caduceusbooks.com you will be amazed at all the stuff you will find in there, putting the reading list of rune logix pale in comparison.    ben fernee, proprietor of cadeceus books has graciously agreed to a q and a session to give you an idea of the inner workings behind one of the best distributors of rare books around.

>> Caduceus Books is probably the worlds largest distributor of rare occult books: how have you gotten to the point you're at today?

I am certain that I am not the largest, but I was smaller than I am now.
I started sixteen years ago in a model railway signal box. This is
actually and literally true. I had shared a space in a craft centre with
Jane who sold incenses and artwork. Previously the craft centre had been
a model railway exhibition centre and they retained the signal box where
from where an operator controlled the trains, that was my office where I
kept the scarcer books.

Now the main way I work is by issuing email lists. These go out to about
2000 people, I tend to advertise items by email first, then, if they do
not sell, put them on the website.

>> How long has this been an interest you have been pursuing?

I became interested in occultism when I was about 18

>> What are some unusual requests your clients have made in the past?

A copy of the first edition of the Book of Thoth bound in human skin was
one. It is not unusual to be asked for books that people have dreamed of
and they are unsure of the title - but that is fair enough I think.


>> You primarily operate out of the UK, do you get many orders from the rest of Europe? Which countries in particular?

I sell a lot to Scandinavia and Germany but all over bar Lithuania and
Latvia, no orders from there yet.

>> Any favorite titles?

Quite a few but I'll mention one to give you an idea:-

Ian Blake, Eight Arms to Hold You, An Epitaph for the Esoteric Order of
Dagon, Sepulchral Press 1993, 1st Ed No. Ltd Ed of 23. Card covers 36pp
Introduction an additional notes by Nina Crummett. Sublime piece about
sex with octopi. The E.O.D. rose again, but this remains a delicious  &
humerous gravestone to one of its incarnations.

The production is elegant but modest, the writer does fill 36 pages with
traditions relating to human-octopus sex from mythologies and so forth
which would be difficult even now, in the age of Google. The blend of
sincere belief that this is a significant occult insight and awareness of
the absurdity of the endeavor is a delight.

One, the Grimoire of the Golden Toad, by Andrew Chumbley leaps to mind
of course. Books born or rituals are always interesting.

>> No need to share any trade secrets, but how on earth has your collection gotten so extensive? Can people contact you to sell any out of print titles they have?

Well it is stock, not a collection. I try to keep it changing as much as
possible. I very much welcome people getting in contact to sell unusual
items.

>> Any texts in your collection you can't make heads or tails out of?

Occasionally, I recently had this one:-

Exact Thinker, The Craft of Thy Caduceus, Numbered Limited Edition of
1000, large format card covers 108pp Many illustrations. Examination of
mysteries of the religions of ancient Egyptian, Assyria, India,
freemasonry with other references. However the author would appear to be
in the maniac laughter mode of a quite serious form of insanity which
makes for one of the most obscure and bizarre texts ever encountered.
Covers very worn

>> What American locale orders more books, New York or California?

California, but I get orders from all over the U.S.

>> How does Cadeceus Books tie into your art gallery?

I do both, if someone buys something from the art gallery I sell it to
them through Caduceus Books

>> Any more original A.O. Spare's works for sale?

There will be three drawings in a list coming up.

>> Final comments you would like to share to our readers?

Well one thing is that things are changing. I have started to publish
items. First will be a facsimile of a 19th Century occult manuscript
which was circulating in proto-Golden Dawn circles though the text is
much older. I have set out to make the facsimile the very next best
thing to owning the original manuscript. Rather than looking like a
modern book with glossy photographs of an old manuscript it will
actually look like a manuscript in a sympathetic binding.

I have a number of other manuscripts lined up, one relating to mysteries
of Hebrew alphabet was probably influential on the Golden Dawn but  has
never been published, another is the inner workings of the Fratres
Lucis.

Also a typeset book, Grimoire to Invoke the Spirit of the Place. The
original 18th C. ritual gave rise which was bound in a particular manner
with a certain number of pages etc. I have followed all those
specifications as the text states that the original spirit promises to
send a minion to anyone who reads the conjurations  from the original
book or one like it. The text also describes how the grimoire is to be
baptized and treated as a child. It is quite dark but has a very
interesting viewpoints.

If anyone wants information about these items email me, I will add your
email address to those who receive my lists and so forth.

www.caduceusbooks.com

Comments

[Griffen Gowan]

I am trying to locate, a copy of One The Grimoire of the golden Toad, by Andrew Chumbley 2000. If you know any one that is looking to sale one, please let me know. Also, interest is in Wicca, Witchcraft, Celtic Shamanism. and gernal Occult.

Thanks,

Griffen.

[robert lowe]

There is one on ebay today. I amy sell mine now but not sure. Good hunting, Robert