Fulgur Limited
Encyclopedia
Fulgur Limited is an independent English publishing house founded in 1992 that produces fine press esoteric titles.
on August 8, 1992. The name was inspired by a quotation from 'The Logomachy of Zos' by Austin Osman Spare
“The magical act is a fulguration of one’s whole affectiveness by wish-eduction.” The business was incorporated in the September of 1996 and remains a private company.
of their subject through innovative design and fine typography. This stance was a reaction against the growing homogeneity of commercial book production within the esoteric genre. Major influences are the self-published bibliographic endeavours of Aleister Crowley
and Austin Osman Spare
, but the aesthetic philosophy of T. J. Cobden-Sanderson was also an important influence.
In distinction from modern publishing practice, the company is notable for a policy of never reprinting. Editions are typically limited to between 500-1000 copies and usually consist of an issue hors commerce, a signed deluxe and a standard issue. Rejecting established commercial methods of wholesale distribution, from the beginning the company has pursued a strategy of direct sales to subscribers, with titles often marketed in advance of actual publication. The apparent success of this business model has led to it being widely adopted within the esoteric genre, particularly since the arrival of e-commerce.
and modern collectors and students of the occult.’ The company has issued several works by the artist, including a catalogue for a West End exhibition titled Borough Satyr. Since 1992 several high profile contemporary esoteric authors have also been represented. The 1995 collaboration with Andrew D. Chumbley
saw the issue of Qutub: The Point. Zos Speaks! Encounters with Austin Osman Spare was issued in 1998 as the first of several titles by Kenneth Grant
. In 2004 the company began working with Michael Bertiaux
, commissioning new writings and artwork. Recent authors include David Beth
, Orryelle Defenestrate-Bascule, Barry William Hale and David Chaim Smith.
, Ira Cohen
, Daniel Schulke, Peter Redgrove
, Aleister Crowley
, Zachary Cox, Staurt Inman, Phil Hine, Shani Oates, Doreen Valiente
, Mark Titchner
, Allan Graubard, Grevel Lindop, Ithell Colquhoun
, Lauren Simonutti, Ian Macfadyen and others.
History
Originally an informal business partnership, Fulgur was set up by Robert Ansell, Gavin W. Semple and Hayley Tong at 13 Park Crescent, WorthingPark Crescent, Worthing
Park Crescent is an example of Georgian architecture in Worthing, England, designed in 1829 by Amon Henry Wilds, son of the architect Amon Wilds and constructed between 1831 and 1833...
on August 8, 1992. The name was inspired by a quotation from 'The Logomachy of Zos' by Austin Osman Spare
Austin Osman Spare
Austin Osman Spare was an English artist who developed idiosyncratic magical techniques including automatic writing, automatic drawing and sigilization based on his theories of the relationship between the conscious and unconscious self...
“The magical act is a fulguration of one’s whole affectiveness by wish-eduction.” The business was incorporated in the September of 1996 and remains a private company.
Founding Principles
The primary aim of the business was to produce ‘talismanic’ books: esoteric works of lasting quality which reflected the essenceEssence
In philosophy, essence is the attribute or set of attributes that make an object or substance what it fundamentally is, and which it has by necessity, and without which it loses its identity. Essence is contrasted with accident: a property that the object or substance has contingently, without...
of their subject through innovative design and fine typography. This stance was a reaction against the growing homogeneity of commercial book production within the esoteric genre. Major influences are the self-published bibliographic endeavours of Aleister Crowley
Aleister Crowley
Aleister Crowley , born Edward Alexander Crowley, and also known as both Frater Perdurabo and The Great Beast, was an influential English occultist, astrologer, mystic and ceremonial magician, responsible for founding the religious philosophy of Thelema. He was also successful in various other...
and Austin Osman Spare
Austin Osman Spare
Austin Osman Spare was an English artist who developed idiosyncratic magical techniques including automatic writing, automatic drawing and sigilization based on his theories of the relationship between the conscious and unconscious self...
, but the aesthetic philosophy of T. J. Cobden-Sanderson was also an important influence.
In distinction from modern publishing practice, the company is notable for a policy of never reprinting. Editions are typically limited to between 500-1000 copies and usually consist of an issue hors commerce, a signed deluxe and a standard issue. Rejecting established commercial methods of wholesale distribution, from the beginning the company has pursued a strategy of direct sales to subscribers, with titles often marketed in advance of actual publication. The apparent success of this business model has led to it being widely adopted within the esoteric genre, particularly since the arrival of e-commerce.
Authors and Artists
According to the company website ‘Fulgur was conceived to provide a nexus between the creative current that informs the work of Austin Osman SpareAustin Osman Spare
Austin Osman Spare was an English artist who developed idiosyncratic magical techniques including automatic writing, automatic drawing and sigilization based on his theories of the relationship between the conscious and unconscious self...
and modern collectors and students of the occult.’ The company has issued several works by the artist, including a catalogue for a West End exhibition titled Borough Satyr. Since 1992 several high profile contemporary esoteric authors have also been represented. The 1995 collaboration with Andrew D. Chumbley
Andrew D. Chumbley
Andrew D. Chumbley was an English practitioner and theorist of magic, and a writer, poet and artist. He was Magister of the UK-based magical group Cultus Sabbati....
saw the issue of Qutub: The Point. Zos Speaks! Encounters with Austin Osman Spare was issued in 1998 as the first of several titles by Kenneth Grant
Kenneth Grant
Kenneth Grant was a British occultist, novelist, and poet, who with his partner, the artist Steffi Grant, headed the magical order previously known as the Typhonian Ordo Templi Orientis but which is now referred to as the Typhonian Order.-Occult background:Grant's occult experiences began in 1939...
. In 2004 the company began working with Michael Bertiaux
Michael Bertiaux
Michael Bertiaux is an American occultist and Old Catholic Bishop, perhaps best known to the general public via the publication of his massive Voudon Gnostic Workbook , a 615-page compendium of various occult lessons and research papers spanning the sub-fields of Voodoo, Neo-Pythagoreanism,...
, commissioning new writings and artwork. Recent authors include David Beth
David Beth
David Beth is a German esoteric philosopher and occultist. He is a close friend and collaborator of Michael Bertiaux.-Profile:Beth was born and raised in Africa by German parents. He has lived in Nigeria and elsewhere in Africa, the United States and Europe...
, Orryelle Defenestrate-Bascule, Barry William Hale and David Chaim Smith.
The Abraxas Journal
In 2009 the company launched Abraxas: An International Journal of Esoteric Studies, with Christina Oakley-Harrington as the literary editor and Robert Ansell as the art editor. Conceived as an 'independent journal of historical and contemporary occultism' the publication aims for an engaging, scholarly approach. Contributors include: Alan MooreAlan Moore
Alan Oswald Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell...
, Ira Cohen
Ira Cohen
Ira Cohen was an American poet, publisher, photographer and filmmaker.Cohen lived in Morocco and in New York City in the 1960s, he was in Kathmandu in the 1970s and traveled the world in the 1980s, before returning to New York, where he spent the rest of his life...
, Daniel Schulke, Peter Redgrove
Peter Redgrove
Peter William Redgrove was a prolific and widely respected British poet, who also wrote works with his second wife Penelope Shuttle on menstruation and women's health, novels and plays.-Life:...
, Aleister Crowley
Aleister Crowley
Aleister Crowley , born Edward Alexander Crowley, and also known as both Frater Perdurabo and The Great Beast, was an influential English occultist, astrologer, mystic and ceremonial magician, responsible for founding the religious philosophy of Thelema. He was also successful in various other...
, Zachary Cox, Staurt Inman, Phil Hine, Shani Oates, Doreen Valiente
Doreen Valiente
Doreen Edith Dominy Valiente , who also went under the craft name Ameth, was an influential English Wiccan who was involved in a number of different early traditions, including Gardnerianism, Cochrane's Craft and the Coven of Atho...
, Mark Titchner
Mark Titchner
Mark Titchner is an English artist and a nominee for the 2006 Turner Prize. He lives and works in London.-Biography and career:Mark Titchner was born in Luton. He graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, London, in 1995....
, Allan Graubard, Grevel Lindop, Ithell Colquhoun
Ithell Colquhoun
Ithell Colquhoun was a British Surrealist painter and author. She was born in Shillong, Eastern Bengal and Assam, British India...
, Lauren Simonutti, Ian Macfadyen and others.