This collection contains periodicals, pamphlets, leaflets and other printed papers, mainly issued by, or relating to the Communist Party and other related organisations, 1891 - 1959. Periodicals represented in the collection include The Communist International, 1929 - 1939; The Communist Review, 1921 - 1931; Discussion, 1936; Labour, 1939 - 1945; The Labour Monthly, 1926 - 1948; The Left Review, 1935; The Plebs, 1925, 1959; University Forward, 1942. The pamphlets cover a wide range of topics, from general commentary re. Communist philosophy and Socialism towards more specific matters of interest, such as the British Movement against War and Fascism, Imperialism, Scottish nationalism, working conditions, Trade Unions, and the Labour Party. There is also good coverage of international issues, in particular, commentary on the Socialist regimes in Korea, the Soviet Union, Hungary, Poland and other east European countries, and the Spanish Civil War.
Communist Party and Socialist Literature
This material is held atUniversity of Aberdeen Collections
- Reference
- GB 231 MS 2664
- Dates of Creation
- 1891 - 1959
- Name of Creator
- Language of Material
- English.
- Physical Description
- 5 boxes of printed papers (0.625 linear metres) No physical characteristics affecting use of collection
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
James Milne and William Leslie, both of Aberdeen, were involved with Aberdeen Trades Council during the 1960s, James Milne serving as secretary in the period 1967 - 1968. James Clunie was elected Labour MP for Dunfermline in 1950.
Arrangement
The integrity of the 3 individual collections has been maintained. Periodicals are arranged alphabetically by title; pamphlets and other papers are arranged by author.
Access Information
Open, subject to signature accepting conditions of use at reader registration sheet
Acquisition Information
See Archival History, above.
Other Finding Aids
Descriptive list available in the Reading Room, Special Libraries and Archives, University of Aberdeen.
Very brief collection level description available on Aberdeen University Library Catalogue, accessible online http://www.abdn.ac.uk/diss/library/
Alternative Form Available
No copies known
Conditions Governing Use
Subject to the condition of the original, copies may be supplied for private research use only on receipt of a signed undertaking to comply with current copyright legislation.
Permission to make any published use of material from the collection must be sought in advance from the Head of Special Libraries and Archives (e-mail: speclib@abdn.ac.uk ) and, where appropriate, from the copyright owner. Where possible, assistance will be given in identifying copyright owners, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material.
Appraisal Information
This material has been appraised in line with normal procedures
Custodial History
This collection of printed papers came to the University from three different sources, during the period Feb - Sept 1968. The first deposit of periodicals and pamphlets was made by James Milne, Secretary of Aberdeen Trades Council, in Feb 1968. Throughout 1967 and 1968, Aberdeen Trades Council was instrumental in facilitating the deposit of a large volume of local trades union records in the University. Communist Party literature, which had been collected by the Trades Council over a period of many years, was deposited as part of this process. William Leslie, of Aberdeen, deposited his own, smaller collection of literature in June 1968; and in Sept, ca 100 items collected by James Clunie, MP, were deposited via the Mitchell Library, Glasgow. (It is believed that these items are duplicates of those already held by the Mitchell Library). The three collections have been accessioned as one deposit, but the integrity of each is maintained in the arrangement of the records.
Accruals
No accruals expected
Bibliography
No known publications using this material
Additional Information
This material is original