Eric Chaim Kline, Bookseller

Die Befreiung der Frau. Sovietrußlands Ehe-, Familien- und Geburtenpolitik (Liberation of the Woman. Soviet Russia's Marriage, Family and Birth-Politics) [INSCRIBED]

Harmsen, Hans; Oskar Nerlinger (Cover)

Berlin-Lichterfelde: Edwin Runge Verlag, (1926). First edition. Softcover. Inscribed to D. A. W. Schreiber signed Hans Harmsen on half-title. Quarto. 39 (1)pp. Original wraps with modern design and typeface, protected by modern mylar. Cover design by Alice Lex-Nerlinger, a fellow student of George Grosz and Hannah Höch under Emil Orlik at the educational wing of the Museum of Decorative Arts in Berlin.

Study on the decline of the birthrate in Russia, linking it to economic hardship, war, the revolution and to the widespread dissolution of the moral values, in particular regarding the traditional family. Harmsen references Alexandra Kollontay's book "Ways of Love" as an essential contribution to the change in the thinking of women. Harmsen details the step by step development towards the "new family" and points to Lenin's decisive step legislating the equality of "civil marriage" and "Religious marriage" as the first step into the new direction.

The report contains official forms from 1924 and 1925 regulating abortion procedures in Soviet Russia and elaborates in detail about the family and educational policies in Russia. However, the fact that the Soviets in contrast to other European countries, rejected promoting abortions which Harmsen considers to be the most laudable of their policies. During the reign of the National Socialists Harmsen was one of the leading race eugenics though stopped short of euthanasia. Text in German, Gothic script. Light wear along edges of wraps, small chips and one small closed tear. Block slightly age-toned. Very good condition. Item #48980

Price: $675.00