Autour du Cabinet – Les gens du “Bloc.” Published by Librairie Antisémite – “The Block’s Men” – An anti-Semitic caricature booklet following the Dreyfus Affair, Paris 1903. Introduction by the anti-Semitic propagandist Édouard Drumont (1844–1917; founder of the anti-Semitic newspaper La Libre Parole), describing how “Jewish money” benefits from Dreyfus’s acquittal, alongside an anti-Semitic poem by François Coppée (1842–1908) – “How Ugly They Are, ” evoking hatred through harsh literary descriptions.
An anti-Semitic booklet featuring crude caricatures by the illustrator Bruno, mocking Alfred Dreyfus, Émile Zola, and their supporters. The caricatures ridicule Alfred Dreyfus and Émile Zola while generally condemning “Jewish money.” The Jewish figures are grotesquely depicted with exaggerated features, such as long noses, some resembling monkey faces. Each caricature is accompanied by a hateful caption describing the scene. The booklet’s title itself conveys contempt and derision through its acronym:
Chéquards – alluding to wealthy Jews, those who receive or distribute checks, hinting at Jewish involvement in corrupt financial dealings.
Pochards – “drunkards, ” consumers of alcohol.
Mouchards – spies or traitors, those who provide information to authorities and incriminate innocent people.
Altogether, “Les gens du Bloc” translates to “The Block’s Men.”
Following Dreyfus’s final exoneration in the scandal that shook Europe, Dreyfus supporters and French Jews were greatly strengthened morally, particularly after the public ceremony in which his rank was restored, as widely reported in the press of the time. Between 1902 and 1905, the left-wing party known as “The Republican Bloc” (Le bloc républicain) held power in France. This was a period of stability in which France moved toward reforms and renewed alliances with Russia and Britain. During this time, French ministers insisted on reopening the Dreyfus case, ultimately leading to his full acquittal. In response, the anti-Semitic right in France accused Jews, Freemasons, and other groups of taking over the country. The booklet presents a grim portrayal of French democracy collapsing into Jewish interests and highlights the alleged dominance of Jewish financial power. Dreyfus himself is depicted as a cunning manipulator exploiting systemic weaknesses for his personal interests.
[24] pages. Approximately 37.5×27.5 cm. Stains and light tears on the edges of the cover and the first two pages. Condition: Good.
