COMMUNISM

[‘His knowledge of Marxist philosophy is zero’: a Maoist attack on the sinologist Joseph Needham.] Printed pamphlet by A. H. Evans titled: ‘Against Dr. Needham / An Exposure of his Anti-Marxism’.

Author: 
A. H. Evans [Arthur Henry Evans (b. 1902)], Anti-Revisionist Maoist Welsh communist and poet, proprietor of David-Goliath Publications [Joseph Needham (1900-1995), biochemist and sinologist]
Publication details: 
‘A David-Goliath Publication’ [‘Enquiries to: - A. H. Evans, 27, Gerrard Road, London, N.1.].
£180.00

A. H. Evans was born in the village of Aber Clydach, near Talybont on Usk, Breconshire. He gives biographical information in his ‘English Historians and Welsh History’ (1975). See also Needham's entry in the Oxford DNB. The present item is excessively scarce: no other copy found on OCLC WorldCat, JISC, ViaLibri or the National Library of Wales.

[Thomas Mann, trade unionist and communist.] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both ‘Tom Mann’), as Secretary of London Reform Union, one endorsing a ‘scheme’ which will reduce the death rate; the other about ‘Douglas’ and a meeting of the Stepney Branch

Author: 
Tom Mann [Thomas Mann] (1856-1941), trade unionist, socialist and communist [A. G. L. Rogers]
Publication details: 
12 and 30 May 1993; both on letterhead of London Reform Union, Granville House, 3 Arundel Street, W.C. [London].
£90.00

See the entry for Thomas Mann in the Oxford DNB. From the papers of Arthur George Liddon Rogers (1864-1944), son and editor of the economist Thorold Rogers [James Edwin Thorold Rogers] (1823-1890), for information regarding whom see his entry in the Oxford DNB. The second letter in good condition, lightly aged and folded once; the first in fair condition, folded three times with a number of short closed tears along creases. Mann is writing in his capacity as Secretary of the London Reform Union (for whose ‘Object’ see the end of this entry). ONE: 12 May 1893. 2pp, 4to.

[Maurice Thorez, leader of the French Communist Party.] Typed Letter Signed (‘Thorez’), in French, to Roy Hopkins of the Foreign Press Association, London, agreeing to an interview but asking to see the questions in advance.

Author: 
Maurice Thorez (1900-1964), leader of the French Communist Party (Parti Communiste, Section Française de l’Internationale Communiste’)
Publication details: 
15 October 1936; Paris, on letterhead of the ‘Parti Communiste / Section Française de l’Internationale Communiste’.
£100.00

1p, 4to. On somewhat worn and aged paper, cropped at head, and with traces of tape from mount to inner edge. Folded three times. Bold signature: ‘Thorez’. Having been informed of Hopkins’ request by the ‘secrétariat de notre Parti’, he will be very willing to grant him an interview, but asks if he can see the text of the questions in advance.

[ Freedom of Speeech; Democracy; the Film industry ] John Howard Lawson petitioner [...] Brief of Alexander Meiklejohn, of Cultural Workers in Motion Pictures and Other Arts, and of Members of the Professions, as Amici Curiae

Author: 
[ In the Supreme Court of the United States ]
Publication details: 
Parker & Company, Law Printers, Los Angeles, "October Term, 1949".
£250.00

[vi].36, 8vo, paper wraps, edges sunned, minor creasing, mainly good condition. Notes: A. "John Howard Lawson ( 1894 - 1977) was an American writer. He was for several years head of the Hollywood division of the Communist Party USA. He was also the organization's cultural manager and answered directly to V.J. Jerome, the Party's New York-based cultural chief. He was the first president of the Writers Guild of America, West after the Screen Writers Guild divided into two regional organizations": B.

[ John Bertram Askew, socialist writer and associate of Engels, Trotsky and Lenin. ] Two long parts of Autograph Letters, one signed 'J. B. Askew', on topics including the state of Russia, August Bebel, Karl Kautsky, SDP Congress in Breslau 1895.

Author: 
J. B. Askew [ John Bertram Askew ] (1869-1929), socialist writer, associate of Engels, Trotsky and Lenin [ August Bebel; SPD Party Congress, Breslau 1895 ]
Publication details: 
No details of date, place or recipient. [ Breslau Congress, 1895. ]
£180.00

The two parts, apparently from different letters, are both on bifoliums: the first, numbered '2', is 4pp., 12mo; the second, numbered '5', is 4pp., 16mo. In good condition, lightly aged. The second bifolium signed at end: 'Best Wishes to Mrs C. | Yrs | J B. Askew'. Written in a neat if somewhat eccentric hand. The first bifolium begins: '[…] is very sore. Nothing will be done at the Congress except Bebel [August Bebel (1840-1913), German socialist] will speak and move a resolution to the effect that the Party stands by its present program and tactics.

[ Russian text; medical; Kiev ] Photographic album of the graduation of the pediatrician Doctor L. M. Shuster from the A. A. Bogomoletz National Medical University, Kiev, of the Medical Institute of the Ukraine.

Author: 
[Doctor L. M. Shuster; A. A. Bogomoletz National Medical University, Kiev, of the Medical Institute of the Ukraine]
Publication details: 
A. A. Bogomoletz National Medical University, Kiev, of the Medical Institute of the Ukraine. 112th Graduation of Pediatric Faculty Doctors, 1950-1956.
£150.00

Landscape 8vo album, containing eighteen leaves in embossed light-green card, each carrying a 17.5 x 23.5 cm black and white photograph. In embossed brown waxed imitation-leather cloth. Lightly-aged but good. The first photograph is of Shuster, and this is followed by three photographs each carrying numerous portraits of tutors, the rest of the photographs each carrying a portraits of a number of students, superimposed over images of Kiev, and of the students on their courses. A few photographs carry texts in Russian by Russian leaders.

[Carl Joubert; anti-Tsarist articles ] Typescripts (3 signed) of 5 (unpublished?) anti-Tsarist articles.

Author: 
'Carl Joubert' [Adolphus Waldorf Carl Grottey] [Tsarist Russia]
Publication details: 
Place and date of none stated, but probably Edwardian.
£220.00

'The Reason Why', 'The Eastern Ukase of 1905', 'The Coming Revolution in Russia', 'The Soldier of Russia' and 'Some Aspects of Russian Life'. Manuscript corrections. The six works by 'Joubert' listed on COPAC appeared between 1904 and 1906, and it is reasonable from the context to assume that these five items date from the same period. All five items clear and complete, with all text on one side only of A4 leaves. The first four in fair condition, on aged paper, and in worn brown card bindings. The fifth item unbound and with the first and last leaves worn and grubby.

[ Patrick Leigh Fermor ]Manuscript letter, in Greek, from 'Haris' in Heraklion, informing Fermor of allegations that he ordered the execution of 'Apolorona and Hania' and others, and that he is organizing the military occupation of Crete by the British.

Author: 
[Patrick Leigh Fermor (1915-2011), British soldier and travel writer; 'Haris' of Heraklion, Cretan opponent of Communism; Cretan resistance; SOE; Major 'Xan' Fielding (1918-1991)]
Publication details: 
Heraklion [Crete, Greece]. 12 January 1947.
£450.00

4pp., 8vo. 96 lines of text. On paper ruled for accounts. On lightly-aged paper, with loss to corners and at central edge, affecting a few lines of text. Accompanying the letter is a translation (2pp., 8vo) by Colin Jordan, with the assistance of Dr Loukas Christodloulos. The letter is of great interest, casting light on Leigh Fermor's activities in Crete in the period following the Second World War.

[ Philip West, English surrealist artist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Philip.') to 'Vieanne', regarding his newly-born daughter Sandra Mercedes.

Author: 
Philip West (1949-1997), English Surrealist artist based in Spain
Publication details: 
Zaragoza [ Saragossa, Spain ]. 8 March 1977.
£56.00

1p., 8vo. Signed in blue felt-tip pen. Letterhead illustration of drawing by West, picked out in blue and red felt-tip. A jokey letter beginning: 'ta very much for the dress - it didn't fit me so now Sandra wears it. We have called her Sandra Mercedes. Sandra, though perhaps not very evocative, is easily pronounced in both English and Spanish.

[ Printed pamphlet. ] A Grammar of Socialism.

Author: 
Thomas Wodehouse, Curate of the Savoy [ Women's Printing Society, Limited, 21B, Great College Street, Westminster; English socialism; radical Anglicanism ]
Publication details: 
Second Edition. John Hodges, 13 Soho Square, London, W. 1884.
£56.00

32pp., landscape 12mo (8.5 x 13.5 cm). Stitched in grey printed wraps. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, with front wrap detached and lightly marked. Wodehouse is named as author on front cover, but not on title-page. Laid out in the form of a fourteen-page catechism of 28 points, followed by 'Notes and Illustrations from Various Writers'. Pertinent as ever, in its criticism of 'excessive inequality in the partition of wealth'. COPAC only lists three copies of the first edition of 1878. Of the eight copies of the second 1884 edition on COPAC, six are listed as being printed by 'F.

[ Pamphlet. ] The Commune of Paris. [ Its Story and Meaning. ]

Author: 
[ James Leatham ]
Publication details: 
[ London: Twentieth Century Press. 1890. ]
£35.00

16pp., 12mo. Disbound without covers. In good condition, on aged paper. Drophead title. The cover carried the author's name, publication details, and the full title: 'The Commune of Paris: Its Story and Meaning'. Scarce

[ Unity Theatre, London, 1944. ] Unpublished typescript of the first Soviet thriller performed in London, under the title 'Comrade Detective': '"Face to Face" | A Soviet Thriller | by | Bros. Tour and L. Sheynin | Translated by Herbert Marshall'.

Author: 
Herbert Marshall [ Herbert P. J. Marshall ] (1906-91), English Russophile author, filmmaker, theatre designer and husband of Fredda Brilliant (1903-99) [ Bros. Tour and L. Sheynin [ Herbert Marshall ]
Publication details: 
'All enquiries to: | HERBERT MARSHALL | 5, Kensington Palace Gardens, | W.8. | Tel. BAYswater 3214.' [ London, 1944. ]
£500.00

114pp., 4to. Typescript by May Hemery Ltd in black and red ink, with pages on rectos only. In black card covers, with label on front. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear, in worn covers. See Steve Nicholson, 'British theatre and the Red Peril: the Portrayal of Communism 1917-1945': 'Originally called 'Face to Face', 'Comrade Detective' was translated, designed and produced by Herbert Marshall on the suggestion of the wife of the Soviet Ambassador.

[Second World War pamphlet in support of the Conservative and Unionist Party.] Politics in War Time. What the Opposition Leaders are Working for To-day.

Author: 
[Sir Douglas Hacking, Chairman of the Conservative and Unionist Party; Neville Chamberlain, British Prime Minister]
Publication details: 
Printed and Published by Deverell, Gibson & Hoare, Ltd., 5, Lavington Street, London, S.E.1' [1939]
£45.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. An interesting survival (no copies traced on either COPAC or OCLC WorldCat), indicating that British party politics was not entirely suspended during the 'Phoney War'. The pamphlet gives no indication that it is directly issued by the Conservative and Unionist Party, but see the quotation from Chamberlain below. The front cover reads: 'Politics in War Time.

[Printed pamphlet by the Socialist Party of Canada.] The Socialist Manifesto.

Author: 
[The Socialist Party of Canada, founded in 1931 in Winnipeg, Manitoba]
Publication details: 
Published by the Socialist Party of Canada, P.O. Box 1751, Winnipeg, Canada. [Preface dated 'DOMINION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, | JUNE, 1944.']
£120.00

42pp., 12mo. In yellow wraps printed in black and red, with 'Object' and 'Declaration of Principles' of the SPC inside the front cover, and advertisements for SPC publications on both sides of the back cover. Stapled. In fair condition, aged and worn, with pencil ownership inscriptions of 'Jean Thurlow'. The Preface begins: 'This pamphlet was first published in 1910 as the Manifesto of the Socialist Party of Canada. During the ten-year period ending in 1920, five editions, totalling more than 25,000 copies, were issued.

A collection of around 150 items relating to the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa, and African revolutionary politics, including booklets, periodicals, newspapers, handbills and circulars, from the papers of South African activist Basil Stein.

Author: 
Collection of papers relating to South Africa, apartheid and African revolutionary politics [Basil Stein (1928-2012), South African mathematician, human rights activist and anti-apartheid campaigner]
Publication details: 
Most of the items published in either South Africa or London, England. The majority dating from the 1960s, with a few from the 1950s and 1970s.
£650.00

Upwards of 150 items, in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. In two parts, with Part One (around 100 items) relating directly to the anti-apartheid struggle, and Part Two (around 50 items) to broader African revolutionary politics. Part One includes 16 booklets from the 1950s and 1960s: 'Nelson Mandela versus the State'; 'The Unholy Alliance. Salazar, Verwoerd, Welensky'; S. Abdul, 'The Truth about South Africa'; 'Sing Free South Africa'; 'What can I do? A Guide to Action Against Apartheid'; I. B. Tabata, 'Education for Barbarism'; Leslie Rubin, 'This is Apartheid'; H. E.

Autograph Letter Signed, in French, from Etienne Allègre to 'Cher Monsieur Manfield'

Author: 
Etienne Allègre, French rugby player and Communist politician, Deputy for Toulon, 1935-1940, brother-in-law of Jean Bartolini (1899-1977), Mayor of Toulon from 1945 to 1947
Publication details: 
5 Chemin de Plaisance, Toulon. 12 July 1954.
£45.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, with a few short closed tears along fold lines. He apologises for replying with 'un retard inqualifiable!' He apologises profoundly for 'ce contretemps' which has not allowed him to thank Mansfield properly 'pour l'Admiration que vous avez bien voulu me temoigner - sans doute à l'occasion de l'un des derniers Salons à Paris'. He is sending a photograph, with his autograph.

[Printed pamphlet.] Empire "Socialism" By R. Palme Dutt.

Author: 
R. Palme Dutt [with foreword by 'T. B.', i.e. Thomas Bell (1882-1944), representative of the Communist Party of Great Britain to the Comintern's Executive Committee]
Publication details: 
Published by the Communist Party of Great Britain, 16 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2. ['Printed by Centropress Limited (T.U. Throughout) 168, Camberwell Road, London S.E.5.'] February 1925.
£120.00

20pp, 12mo. Stapled. In red printed wraps, with cartoon on cover showing giant worker sweeping away miniature capitalists. In fair condition: lightly-aged and with central vertical fold. Scarce: the only copies on COPAC at the British Library and Warwick University.

[Printed pro-Polish and anti-Soviet pamphlet.] The Polish Conspiracy? By H. W. Henderson.

Publication details: 
[Second edition, revised.] Published by H. W. Henderson, 44 Maxwell Drive, Glasgow. [Kirkwood (Printers) Limited, Glasgow. No date [1942].
£120.00

15pp., 16mo. Fair, on aged and lightly-worn paper. In an 'Introduction' on the reverse of the title, Henderson explains that he thinks 'a second edition of the pamphlet would be timely, the more so that the presentation of Polish-Soviet relations in their true perspective is of great importance to the Allies.' In writing the pamphlet his 'purpose was primarily to reply to Mr.

Contemporary and apparently unpublished typescript translation by L. A. Shiffner of 'The Battle of the Waves for Freedom' by Maxim Gorky [Gorki]. Headed 'Forbidden in Russia'. Made on behalf of Mrs Gill's Translating Office, Ludgate Hill, London.

Author: 
Maxim Gorky [L. A. Shiffner, translator, of Mrs R. V. Gill's Translating Office, Ludgate Circus, London]
 'The Battle of the Waves for Freedom' by Maxim Gorky
Publication details: 
[Circa 1910.] With stamp of 'Mrs. Gill, Translating Office, Ludgate Hill, London EC.'
£450.00
 'The Battle of the Waves for Freedom' by Maxim Gorky

The story on nine numbered 4to pages, with a covering page carrying the title: 'THE BATTLE OF THE WAVES FOR FREEDOM. | By Maxim Gorki.' On the rectos of ten 4to leaves, attached by a brass pin. Text clear and complete at 26 lines to the page. On worn, discoloured paper (watermarked 'CONQUEROR | LONDON'), with loss to extremities. Mrs Gill's purple oblong stamp in bottom left-hand corner of reverse of last leaf: 'Mrs.

Printed pamphlet headed 'Commune Meeting. March 17th, 1899.' Containing the poems 'All for the Cause!' and 'No Master' by William Morris, and also 'The Wearing of the Green' and 'Annie Laurie (Sung by Albert Parsons before his death on the scaffold'.

Author: 
William Morris [Ernest Belfort Bax; Social Democratic Federation]
[William Morris] Printed pamphlet headed 'Commune Meeting. March 17th, 1899.'
Publication details: 
H. J. Goss and Co. Artistic Printers, 299 Gray's Inn Road, King's Cross.
£350.00
[William Morris] Printed pamphlet headed 'Commune Meeting. March 17th, 1899.'

12mo, 3 pp (with printer's device on fourth page). Bifolium. Crisply printed in small type. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. 'All for the Cause!' ('Words by William Morris. Music by Belfort Bax, also Austrian Hymn, and Chants of L., No. 55') is thirty-two lines long, on the first page. It begins 'Hear a word, a word in season, for the day is drawing nigh, | When the Cause shall call upon us, some to live, and some to die!' 'No Master' ('Words by William Morris. Tune - The Hardy Norseman (Chants of L., No.

Home Colonization. Address of the Home Colonization Co-operative and Social Home Association (Limited).

Author: 
[The Home Colonization Co-operative and Social Home Association.]
Publication details: 
No date. [1870s?] Langley & Son, Printers, 23 George St., Euston Rd.
£150.00

12mo: 8 pp. An unopened pamphlet made by folding a leaf twice. Text clear and complete. Good: on aged and slightly-grubby paper. Scarce: the only copies on COPAC at the London School of Economics and University College London, in whose entries it is dated to the 1870s.

The Class Nature of the Soviet Union. Two Articles by Leon Trotsky: 'Once Again; the U.S.S.R. and its Defence.' [...] 'The U.S.S.R.; Non-Proletarian and non-Bourgeoise State?' [With anonymous foreword discussing Trotsky's 'political tendency'.]

Author: 
Leon Trotsky [Trotskyite; W.I.R. Publications; British Communism Party; Communist]
Publication details: 
[Early 1960s.] 'Printed in Swansea by voluntary labour.' Published by W.I.R. Publications, 374, Grays Inn Rd., London W.C.I [cancelled to 'Order from W.I.R. Publications, 197, Kings Cross Road, London, W.C.1.']
£125.00

Mimeographed and stapled. [i] + iii + 17 pp. Printed on eleven leaves, the first two and last two 26 x 21 cm, and the middle seven leaves 25.5 x 20 cm. Fair, on foxed paper with wear to extremities. It would appear that the leaves of the two articles had been printed previously, and were newly bound up here with the preliminary matter. The first articles is, according to the title 'Taken from "Fourth International", July Aug 1951. (American edition)' and the second 'Taken from "Workers International News", Sept-Oct 1946.

[The Writings of Leo Tolstoy. Edited by V. Tchertkoff. No. 2.] The Spirit of Christ's Teaching.

Author: 
Leo Tolstoy [V. Tchertkoff (Vladimir Grigorevich Chertkov), 1854-1936]
Publication details: 
Purleigh, Essex: Free Speech Publishing House. 1899.
£56.00

12mo: [iv] + 35 pp. In original green cloth printed wraps. Text clear and complete. On aged high-acidity paper, and with four staple holes throughout. Creasing to front wrap and slight loss at head of title (not affecting text). In the 'Editor's Preface' (p.iii, dated 'V. TCHERTKOFF.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Edouard Lockroy | député | 21 Rue de Clichy'), in French, to an unnamed female correspondent.

Author: 
Édouard Lockroy (1838-1913), French left-wing politician; secretary to Ernest Renan; fought with Garibaldi; signed the proclamation for the election of the Paris Commune
Publication details: 
21 March 1878; on letterhead of the Chambre des Députés, Paris.
£65.00

12mo: 1 p. Fifteen lines of text. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Docketed in a contemporary hand at head. Headed 'Madame'. Asking whether she would be willing to lend her 'admirable talent à une oeuvre d'instruction populaire', a matinée by 'Les membres de la bibliothèque du 17: arrondissement'.

Note with Signature ('E Lockroy'), in French, to an unnamed male correspondent, probably written by a secretary.

Author: 
Édouard Lockroy (1838-1913), French left-wing politician; secretary to Ernest Renan; fought with Garibaldi; signed the proclamation for the election of the Paris Commune
Publication details: 
2 January 1882; on letterhead of the Chambre des Députés, Paris.
£28.00

12mo: 1 p. Text clear and entire, on aged and lightly-stained paper. Reads 'Cher ami. | Je vous envois une demande d'admission dans notre société, avec pièces à l'appui que je recommendre à tous vos soins. | Votre bien devoue. | [signed] E Lockroy'. Although attributed to Lockroy in a contemporary hand in pencil at the head of the letter, this document appears to be by a secretary, as the handwriting differs from his (see #6997).

The dethronement of Stalin full text of the Khrushchev speech.

Author: 
[The Manchester Guardian]
Publication details: 
Published by the MANCHESTER GUARDIAN | June 1956'.
£50.00

33 pages, 8vo. In original printed wraps, with cartoon of Khrushchev on front wrap. In good condition, with slight spotting and staining to front wrap. Rust stains from staples and from paperclip at heads of front wrap and first leaf. Offsetting to inside of front wrap from newspaper cutting of article by Walter Lippman, 'WHAT KHRUSHCHEV DID NOT SAY ABOUT THE TERROR | Stalin Insufficient as Scapegoat'. Introduction by 'A STUDENT OF SOVIET AFFAIRS'. Internally subtitled 'The unmasking of Stalin'.

Typed Letter Signed to Mrs Edith D. Stellin.

Author: 
[SOCIALIST PARTY OF AMERICA] Norman Thomas
Publication details: 
2 March 1933; on letterhead 'Norman Thomas | 112 East 19th Street | New York City'.
£125.00

Norman Mattoon Thomas (1884-1968), six-time presidential candidate for the Socialist Party. 1 page, 8vo. Not in good condition: fraying at all four edges, with loss to the last two letters of the author's surname. Letter addressed to 'Dear Comrade Snelling'. He explains in great detail the need 'to enlist support for an expansion program which has just been decided on by the National Committee of the Socialist Party [...] we have no funds to meet it [...] The program provides for a membership drive for 10,000 new members in 1933.

Syndicate content