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[WARTIME SATIRE] Frontovoi iumor. Izdanie politicheskogo upravleniia Zapadnogo fronta [i.e. Frontline Humor. Publication of the Political Directorate of the Western Front]

Item #2782

N.p., [1941]. 16 pp.: ill. 29x22 cm. In original illustrated wrappers. Spine rubbed, rusty spots abound staple, some stains on covers, small tear of outer edge, horizontal crease throughout the issue, stains on upper outer corner of first two leaves, otherwise clean and good pages.

The first issue.

The magazine ‘Frontline Humor’ became an important psychological weapon, boosting morale during the darkest days of the early war. Beginning in July 1941, the satirical periodical helped combat fear while preserving a sense of cheerfulness.

The pages feature satirical scenes with fascist soldiers and the high command of the Third Reich. The front cover features a caricature of Hitler with a shovel and the results of the four-week offensive on Moscow in the background. Some illustrations are not caricatures but are accompanied by witty captions or satirical verses. One caption contains a dialogue:
“– Grandpa, who destroyed this factory?
– That, my child, was the nonexistent Soviet aviation sending nonexistent Soviet planes here, which dropped nonexistent Soviet bombs... As a result, the factory ceased to exist as well.”

A total of 51 issues were released: 4 issues in 1941, 17 in 1942, 12 in 1943, 12 in 1944, and 6 in 1945.

Not found in Worldcat.

Price: $650.00