Karl Marx New York Daily Tribune
In the House of Commons 1853
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In this New York Tribune article published on 1 August 1853, Marx adopts a biting, critical tone to analyze British and European political maneuvering. Marx's article provides a vivid snapshot of European political maneuvering, as he skillfully critiques both British domestic and international affairs. A must-have for any Karl Marx or history enthusiast, this newspaper offers rare insights into 19th-century geopolitics with unparalleled candor. Marx describes Parliament’s India Bill and a proposal to establish a Naval Coast Volunteer force, while exposing the British Empire's policies in India, like its salt monopoly, that was designed to tighten financial control over the colony. He dissects Russia's imperial ambitions in Turkey and the duplicitous responses by the European powers. The Czar justifies Russian military presence in Turkish territories under the guise of "religious associations".

This issue would make a spendid gift, it combines Marx’s sharp wit with detail, this paper offers a unique insight into how Marx exposes the ambitions and tensions shaping history in his time. Karl Marx's name appears underneath the article on page 6.

Quote: “The Special Court of East India Proprietors which met on Friday last, offered a most lugubrious spectacle, the desponding cries and speeches clearly betraying the apprehensions of the worthy proprietors, that the Indian Empire might have been their property for the better time. One right honorable gentleman gave notice of his intention to move resolutions in the House of Commons rejecting the present bill, and on the part of the Proprietors and Directors declining to accept the part assigned to them by the Ministerial measure. A strike of the honorable East India Proprietors and Directors. Very striking, indeed! The Abolition of the Company's Salt-monopoly by the British House of Commons was the first step to bringing the finances of India under its direct management. ”

The full article is 2416 words long and can be read here

This newspaper is in good condition, the paper is strong with some staining.

Karl Marx New York Semi-Weekly Tribune
Front Page- The Indian Insurrection 1857

Writing on 14 August 1857, Marx criticizes the British government and media for propagating misleading claims about the capture of Delhi during the Indian Rebellion. He highlights British overconfidence and the misguided triumphalism that obscured the real, defensive position of General Barnard’s troops. Marx underscores the logistical and strategic challenges the British faced, foreseeing an eventual retreat.

Quote: “A retreat of the English army, after a prolonged siege, or a mere staying on the defensive, will be regarded as a positive defeat, and give the signal to a general outbreak. It would moreover expose the British troops to a fearful mortality, from which till now they have been protected by the great excitement inherent to a siege full of sorties, encounters, and a hope of soon wreaking a bloody vengeance on their enemies.”

The full article is 1206 words long and can be read here

This newspaper is in medium-poor condition. It has some archival tape repairs and is fragile but can be displayed in a frame or kept in a plastic folder.

Paris Commune exiles in London

This is an original 1872 Illustrated London News describing the life in the Communard club house in Rupert St. The paper has 26 pages and includes many additional interesting articles and lithographs.

Wolverhampton Smoke Stack Industries 1866 Illustrated London News Lithograph

An evocative image from the so-called black country in Wolverhampton. It was previously loaned by Heiko to the German Historical Museum in Berlin for its exhibition Karl Marx and Industrial Capitalism in 2022.

Original signed letter from Paul Lafargue to Karl Kautsky from 1896

Paul Lafargue (Marx's son-in-law married to Laura) sent this letter to Karl Kautsky the leader of German Social Democracy. Lafargue enclosed an article he wrote on the history of romanticism that was published in the French Newspaper The Social Future in June 1896. He asks if Kautsky can republish it in the German Magazine Die Neue Zeit.

Ferdinand Lassale Carte de Viste (pocket size) from 1860s

Ferdinand Lassale (1825-1864) was a friend and comrade of Marx and Engels, flamboyant, energetic, a talented agitator and organizer; Lassale was the leading figure in creating the German social-democratic workers' movement. Marx would often disparage Lassale but on his death - he was killed in a duel over a love affair in 1864 - Marx wrote to Engels: "DEAR FREDERICK, During the past few days my thoughts have been damnably preoccupied with Lassalle's misfortune. After all, whatever else he may have been, he was one of the vieille soucheh (old stock) and the foe of our foes. And then the thing came so unexpectedly that it's hard to believe so noisy, STIRRING, PUSHING a person is now dead as a door-nail and compelled to hold his tongue ALTOGETHER.