Our Notes & References

An anonymous translation into Russian of a German pamphlet published by Edgar Bissinger (1912-87) in the 1930s, which provides an “insight” into masonic rituals and beliefs. A convinced national-socialist, Bissinger was an active member of the Nazi’s press and journalist activities and the profusely illustrated text is also anti-semitic – as is the striking cover of this edition, mixing death imagery with Hebrew writings in the background. This Russian edition falls into the context of anti-semitic and anti-masonic attitudes commonly found in the émigré community, which the introduction by the Russian translator clearly confirms.

First edition, published in Brussels and kept in its very visual original wrappers. Very rare outside Russia: WorldCat doesn’t trace any examples in public institutions. This edition shouldn’t be confused with a later work with the same title but written by V. Ivanov and possibly published in Buenos Aires after WWII (OCLC 20602965).

Provenance

Avenir Nizoff (émigré, pianist, who lived in Edmonton, Canada, in the second half of the 20^th century, and gathered a very large library of Russian works of all kinds, including a vast quantity of emigre publications).