The Doors of Perception, Aldous Huxley
First UK edition, first impression of one of the most influential psychedelic texts, detailing Huxley's experience under the influence of mescaline in May 1953. Huxley recalls the insights he experienced, ranging from the "purely aesthetic" to "sacramental vision", and reflects on their philosophical and psychological implications.
London: Chatto & Windus, 1954. Publisher's original blue cloth, spine lettered in gilt; pp. [1-4], 5-63, [1]. A very good copy in a very good, unclipped dust jacket. Binding firm, typical light lean to spine, minor shelfwear to boards. Bookplate to front pastedown and a contemporary ownership signature to flyleaf, else internally clean. Jacket shows light shelfwear, a trace of a dampstain to front panel, a handful of closed tears and a sunned spine. A presentable copy, protected in archival mylar.