Jacques Vallee’s seminal 1969 book Passport to Magonia: From folklore to flying saucers is one of the most influential books on UFOs ever written, and continues to be cited by many in discussions about the phenonenon some five decades after it was written.
Given the esteem the book is held in by many in the field, in 2019 I talked to Jacques about the possibility of releasing a limited edition hardcover to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its original publication (and Jacques’ 80th birthday as well), and he was enthusiastic about the idea. We asked Professor Jeffrey Kripal if he would write a foreword for the limited edition, which he said he would be honoured to do.
Unfortunately, a whole bunch of circumstances (illness, injury, and ultimately COVID) got in the way of a timely release in the actual 50th anniversary year (2019). However, we have pressed on, and are now almost ready to offer 300 hardcover copies of the anniversary edition of Passport to Magonia for anyone who might like this collector’s edition on their bookshelf!
The limited edition features a numbered bookplate signed by Jacques Vallee himself, the new foreword from Jeff Kripal, and a slightly redesigned cover that now displays the entirety of the original image that was cropped for use in our 2014 reprint (showing the the alien with masks itself as a ‘finger puppet’ itself controlled by something else).
The anniversary edition will likely go on sale next week sometime, with shipping beginning in April (note: as the books will be shipped from Australia to the rest of the world, the postage expense will unfortunately be fairly hefty…apologies in advance for that). For those that want to get in early to be sure of getting a copy, I’ll be announcing the on-sale link to our Patreon supporters first, so be sure to back us on Patreon (at any level) to get early notification. I’ll then let the world know by posting here on the Grail, and on our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram feeds.
If you missed out on ever getting a first edition of the original Passport to Magonia, this will be the next best thing, so stand by!
