Briefe an einen Sozialdemokraten – “Letters to a Social Democrat” by Karl Paumgartten – Antisemitic incitement letters addressed to the German worker, attempting to persuade him to adopt a stance against Marxism and its Jewish “masters.” Accompanied by numerous antisemitic illustrations by Fritz Schönpflug. Published by Stocker (known for disseminating far-right and antisemitic materials, particularly in the interwar period), Graz (Austria), 1923 – First edition. Rare.
A collection of antisemitic incitement letters written in the first person and addressed to the German “working” class, aimed at ridiculing the positions of Social Democracy and convincing workers that Marxist Jews are exploiting their class, and that by being loyal to Marxism, they are in fact unknowingly becoming slaves to Jewry. Among other accusations, the Jews are blamed for acting as a hidden force that led to Germany’s defeat in the First World War and for creating chaos and anarchy. The entire booklet is written in a condescending tone, supposedly seeking to “liberate” the worker from his ignorance and from being controlled by the Jew against his will. In one of the inflammatory passages, the author addresses the worker with the following incitement: “Doesn’t it make you tremble to think that you are building a wall against the monstrous Jewish swindler who calls himself Marxism and materialism, so that the Jew can, with as little interference as possible, pocket all the treasures of this world? For that is the existential vow of Jewry! And you are helping fulfill that vow, thereby contributing to the poverty and deprivation of your own people! I’ve come to know you as an honest man, and so I tell you… try to cleanse your mind of Marxist slogans, think independently, and observe everything happening around you without party bias – then you, like every sound and reasonable person, will understand the truth about the villain called ‘Marxism.’ I have shown you the path to liberation from your dishonorable condition; this time, place your trust in a man who is sincere with you – not in Jewish charlatans and their hired assistants…!” One of the caricatures shows a Jew seated on a throne, surrounded by menorahs and Stars of David, alongside the antisemitic caption: “With the help of Marxism, Jewry has achieved absolute dominance. Now the entire nation must submit to Jewish capitalism. And the Marxists are its loyal saddle-bearers forever.”
At the opening of the booklet appears a description of the antisemitic illustration featured on the cover: “The senior proletarian leader of today. In his behavior and lifestyle, a bourgeois with a degenerate character, a man who conducts himself like a wealthy capitalist, for whom ‘managing the workers’ is a business and a lucrative source of income. He harbors a deep hatred for our fellow countrymen from other factions, inciting one citizen against another in order to gain clear advantages and profit that accrues no benefit from their struggle. Marxism is the tool for acquiring and maintaining Jewish global and economic power.” On the page opposite the title page are advertisements for other antisemitic books, such as “Juda – A Critical Examination of the Nature and Influence of Jewry” and “The ABCs of the Four-Thousand-Year Jewish Question.”
Karl Paumgartten, an antisemitic publicist and Austrian writer active in the early decades of the 20th century, was associated with conservative-nationalist circles in Austria that were distinctly anti-socialist and anti-Marxist. His satirical writings were intended to sway public opinion and attack the Social Democratic movement, which was particularly strong during his time, employing a radical political discourse.
Rare. Only five entries recorded in the WorldCat global library catalog.
64 pages. Very good condition.
