The Western Socialist: The Official Organ of the Socialist Party of Canada

$1,045.00

[The Socialist Party of Canada]; A. Shepherd (Managing Editor); James Milne (Ed.); William Child Currey; J.A. McDonald; F.J. McNey; R.C. Walker; et al.

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[The Socialist Party of Canada]; A. Shepherd (Managing Editor); James Milne (Ed.); William Child Currey; J.A. McDonald; F.J. McNey; R.C. Walker; et al. The Western Socialist: The Official Organ of the Socialist Party of Canada ; [Non-consecutive Run of Eleven Issues: June, 1936 – March, 1938]. Winnipeg, Manitoba: The Socialist Party of Canada, June, 1936 – March, 1938. First Edition, First Printing. Unpaginated, uniformly numbering twelve (12) pages per issue. 8vo’s., measuring 8.5″ x 11″. Original, twice-stapled, mimeographed self-wrappers. Commencing publication in 1903 in Winnipeg by the Socialist Party of Canada, our offering comprises of eleven, exceedingly rare, early issues of this most elusive early Western-Canadian Socialist periodical. Published in the heart of Canada (Winnipeg, Manitoba), the site of some of the most vociferous early workers’ movements (notably, the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919), and where some of the early socialist and CCF movements germinated, the Western Socialist would serve as an important mouthpiece of this fledgling coalition of workers, activists, and early self-styled “Canadian Socialists”. Printed with the stated objectives of “the establishment of a system of society based upon the common ownership and democratic control of the means and instruments for producing and distributing wealth by and in the interest of society as a whole”, complete with a printed “Declaration of Principles” to the rear covers of all issues. Replete with commentary, news and updates of the International Socialist movement, and the state of Socialism in Canada (notably in British Columbia, and the Prairies) with headings such as: “Another Labor Government”, “The C.C.F. and the League of Nations”, “Why We Study Marx”, “The Fallacy of Reform”, “Why We Oppose Religion”, “Fighting Fascism”, et al. Much critique of capitalism, a selection of Socialist literature (complete with a price-list), world news, humor, and a consistent appeal for their membership to engage politically: “The Socialist Party of Canada, therefore, enters the field of political action determined to wage war against all other political parties, whether alleged labor or avowedly capitalist, and calls upon all members of the working class of this country to support these principles to the end that a speedy termination may be brought to the system which deprives them of the fruits of their labor, and that poverty may give place to comfort, privilege to equality, and slavery to freedom.” Light foxing to the margins of most issues (unaffecting text, or legibility), else, very good+.

Corresponds to OCLC #865191077, indicating only one institutional holding at the University of British Columbia. To be distinguished, though not unrelated, to a similarly titled, but entirely separate publication bearing the same title, though published out of Boston, Massachusetts as a consequence of a later merger with their American counterparts, “The Workers Socialist Party of the United States, later known as the World Socialist Party of the United States (please refer to our listing No. 4458). Our offering comprises of the following issues: Vol. III, Nos. 30, 33-35 (1936); Vol. IV, Nos. 36-38, 41, 45 (1937); Vol. V, Nos. 44, 46 (1938). Unrecorded in Peel, BAC/LAC, University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections, et al. Rare indeed. (#4457) $1,045.00