The OTO Charter

Special thanks to Rev T Allen Greenfield for sharing this material and allowing it be reproduced for the public.

A perspective shot of the O.T.O. Charter given to Gerald Gardner by Aleister Crowley

This is a perspective shot of the O.T.O. Charter given to Gerald Gardner by Aleister Crowley sometime in the late 1940s. It is now owned by the O.T.O. in America.

The full O.T.O. Charter given to Gerald Gardner by Aleister Crowley

This is a shot of the full charter. There is some glare on it, because the charter itself is protected in a plastic case, and I was not able to take copy-stand quality photos. It is still easily visible, however.

Aleister Crowley's signature on the Charter.

It has been suggested, because the charter is in Gardner's distinctive handwriting, that he forged it. Crowley's signature certainly appears to be authentic, however. (This picture was taken by Rev. S. Coutu for Rev. T. Allen Greenfield. My own photos of Crowley's signature did not come out so well.)

The first seal on the Charter.

This is the first of the wax seals from the left. Behind it the tag from Ripley's is partially visible.

The second seal on the Charter.

This wax seal is second from the left. This image, a scan from a 35mm shot, is better quality than the digital camera images like the one above but at the expense of resolution. The sigil on the seal is clearly visible.

The third seal on the Charter.

The third seal. This is another 35mm shot that I've adjusted the contrast on to try and bring out the faint markings on the wax.

One of the reciepts / correspondances between Ripley's and Greenfield.

Here is one of the correspondences / receipts that Greenfield exchanged with Ripley's in 1985. I present this here to help authenticate the Charter.