WRAPPER DESIGN BY EDWARD McKNIGHT KAUFFER

Mosley, Oswald : The Greater Britain : With The Edward McKnight Kauffer Wrapper

British Union of Fascists, London : 1932

The First UK printing published by British Union of Fascists, London in 1932. The BOOK is in Very Good++ or better condition. Slightly cocked with a little dustiness and toning to the text-block. A neat penned (in green ink) contemporary previous owner's details to the front blank end-paper. Light off-setting to the end papers. Clean otherwise internally. The very scarce WRAPPER is complete and is in Very Good++ condition. A little rubbing, creasing and loss to the spine ends and edges in places. Some toning and light rubbing to the spine. Some light age related markings and small closed tears in places. Some of the green ink from the penned inscription has transferred to the blank front flap. The Edward McKnight Kauffer wrapper artwork looks striking in the removable Brodart archival cover. Mosley was a longstanding MP, being first elected in 1918, initially as a Conservative. After a spell with the Labour Party which left him dissatisfied, and also some time as an Independent, he founded the New Party in 1931, an endeavour which was abandoned after its poor performance in the general elections held that year. After this election failure, Mosley went on a study tour of the "new movements" of Italy’s Duce Benito Mussolini and other fascists, and returned convinced, particularly by Fascist Italy's economic programme, that it was the way forward for Britain. Mosley founded the British Union of Fascists (BUF) in 1932, leading it until its forced disbandment in 1940 (he was imprisoned from May 1940 until 1943). This is the BUF’s manifesto, outlining Mosley’s vision for a corporate state, the abolition of the party system, and the economic insulation of the British Empire. The BUF was protectionist, strongly anti-communist and nationalistic to the point of advocating authoritarianism. Mosley claimed that the Labour Party was pursuing policies of "international socialism”, while fascism's aim was "national socialism”. A second impression followed in later in October 1932, a third impression that same month. The second and third reprints had the "The George Street, London" address below the BFU logo on the title page. This was not present in the first printing. The revised edition dated April 1934 had a wrapper design differing from the Edward McKnight Kauffer though with a similar theme featuring the fasces, the international symbol of fascism. It also had a different address on the title page compared to the second and third reprints. An extremely scarce title to find as the first issue with the wrapper in such collectible condition. The first we have handled.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Very Good++
JACKET: Very Good++