[Socialism – Literature – World War I Era] Bryant, Louise; Eastman, Max; Reed, John; et al.

The Masses. Issue 76, Vol. IX, No. 9, October 1917. [With Supplement Broadside]

New York City: The Masses Publishing Co., October 1917. 42 pp magazine measuring appx. 8 ½ x 11 inches, in paper wraps. Wraps worn and previously folded vertically, with wrinkling and discoloration, and I.W.W.’s Detroit headquarters stamp recto; good. Contents also with vertical fold, toned, excellent. With broadside “President Wilson’s Letter To The Pope” by Max Eastman. 8 x 10 ¼ inches. With small stains to top and left margins; some wrinkling; small tears at margins including one intersecting with text; very good. Overall very good. Item #List38117

The October 1917 edition of socialist political and literary magazine The Masses. The issue includes the broadside supplement by Max Eastman, "President Wilson's Letter to the Pope." Articles include “News from France” by Louise Bryant and John Reed discussing both the progress of the World War in France and the brewing revolution in Russia, the “gentle giant, hope of the world” (5); “Revolutionary Progress” by Max Eastman, mainly discussing unions and suppression of The Masses; and “A Step Towards Democracy” by John Reed, about relations between the US and Germany. World War I and the magazine’s suppression were the news of the day—it was then in conflict with the USPS, which refused to distribute the magazine, alleging that it violated the Espionage Act. The Masses was soon to be in further legal trouble for allegedly attempting to obstruct US military recruiting; Henry Glintenkamp’s illustration “Physically Fit,” which appears in this volume, was included in this case. The illustration shows a skeleton measuring the height of a young man. Though the case successfully shut down The Masses in 1918, editors Max and Crystal Eastman quickly established its successor, The Liberator.

Price: $600.00