Cecil Williamson’s Book of Witchcraft

Books

20 Jan

“Cecil Hugh Williamson (1909-1999) is, I believe, one of the great unsung heroes of the twilight world of folklore and witchcraft. He is probably best known for founding the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle, North Cornwall, which he ran up until midnight on All Hallows Eve 1996; three years before his passing over into the spirit world. Unbeknown to many however, this was just part of a colourful and magical career that spanned most of the 20th century. This included working in a Rhodesian tobacco plantation, the pre-war film industry, the British secret services and, most importantly, devoting his life to the study of traditional witchcraft”. —Steve Patterson

In 1996, whilst helping the then new owner Graham King in refurbishments to the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, Steve happened upon a handwritten manuscript entitled simply ‘Witchcraft’ and containing an intriguing pot-pourri of esoterica from the hand of the Museum’s founder: Cecil Williamson.

It is this manuscript which provides the basis for Steve’s book which includes a full annotated transcript of the ‘Witchcraft’ manuscript, a history of Cecil Williamson and the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, a treatise on Cecil Williamson’s vision of traditional Witchcraft – the practices and the philosophy of the wayside witches, an account of his meetings with Aleister Crowley and Gerald Gardner, and a controversial account of his witnessing of the birth of ‘Wicca’. The book is both a valuable reliquary of practices for the traditional witch, and a resource for folklorists and historians alike; telling the tale of a hitherto largely ignored, but hugely influential episode in modern occult history, and one of the great unsung heroes of the twilight world of folklore and witchcraft.

● A full annotated transcript of Cecil Williamson’s “Witchcraft” manuscript.
● A History of Cecil Williamson and the Museum of Witchcraft.
● A treatise on Cecil Williamson’s vision of traditional Witchcraft – the practices and the philosophy of the wayside witches.
● An account of his meetings with Alistair Crowley and Gerald Gardner, and a controversial account of his witnessing of the birth of ‘Wicca’.

Bibliography

All Editions
Physical Descriptions
Dimensions: Royal 234 x 156 mm.
Page Count: 304 pages.
Illustrative content: Line drawings from Cecil Williamson's 'WITCHCRAFT' notebook and imagery related to the Museum of Witchcraft, plus 32 pages of black and white photographic plates.

Paperback Edition
Publication date: 2014
ISBN: 9781909602083
Original price: £16.99

Binding
Binding: Gloss laminate cover.
Paper: 80gsm white paper stock.

Standard Hardback Edition
Publication date: 2014
Original price: £27

Physical Description
Other physical details: Pre-ordered copies were signed by the author.

Binding
Binding: Bound in a black case with gold foil blocking to the front and spine, burgundy endpapers, with red and black head and tail bands.
Paper: 90gsm cream paper stock.

Standard Hardback Edition
Publication date: 2025
Original price: £36

Binding
Binding: Bound in a black case with gold foil blocking to the front and spine, burgundy endpapers, with red and black head and tail bands.
Paper: 80gsm white paper stock.

Special Edition
Publication date: 2014
Original price: £39.50
Number of Copies Printed: Limited to 300 copies.

Physical Description
Printing: Offset lithography.
Other physical details: Hand-numbered. Pre-ordered copies were signed by the author. Issued with a cream 175gsm ripple finish dust jacket.

Binding
Binding: Sewn bound in burgundy cloth with gold foil blocking to the front and spine, black end papers with red and black head and tail bands.
Paper: 120gsm cream paper stock.

Fine Edition
Publication date: 2014
Original price: £265
Number of Copies Printed: Limited to 30 copies.

Physical Description
Printing: Offset lithography.
Other physical details: Hand-numbered and signed by the author. Issued with an embossed, lined library buckram slipcase.

Binding
Binding: Sewn bound by hand in burgundy hand finished goat leather with gold foil blocking to the front and spine, marbled end papers and marker ribbon. Fair Trade leather obtained from free range animals, tanned with sumac and organic materials exclusively; the natural character of each skin is maintained, no pigment finishes are added and no grain correction is made.
Paper: 120gsm cream paper stock.

Special Fine Edition
Publication date: 2014
Original price: £380
Number of Copies Printed: Limited to 10 copies.

Physical Description
Printing: Offset lithography.
Other physical details: Hand-numbered and signed by the author. Issued with a lined, hand carved oak box, made and carved by the author.

Binding
Binding: Sewn bound by hand in terracotta fine hand polished and finished goat leather, gold foil blocking to the front and spine, marbled end papers and marker ribbon. Fair Trade leather obtained from free range animals, tanned with sumac and organic materials exclusively; the natural character of each skin is maintained, no pigment finishes are added and no grain correction is made.
Paper: 120gsm cream paper stock.

Black Edition
Publication date: 2021
Original price: £36
Number of Copies Printed: Limited to 125 copies.

Physical Description
Other physical details: Hand-numbered.

Binding
Binding: Bound in beautifully grained black recycled leather fibers, with black foil blocking to the front and spine, red end papers, with red head and tail bands.
Paper: 90gsm white paper stock.