Michael Anitchkow — War and Labour

London, Archibald Constable, 1900. First edition. Cloth. The first edition of a passionate treatise on ending war, signed and possibly owned by influential founder of the Labour party Keir Hardie. The first edition of War and Labour by Michael Anitchkow, signed by founder of the Labour party and its first parliamentary leader Keir Hardie. In the publisher's original red cloth, with Keir Hardie's signature to the front free end paper. Originally a Scottish trade unionist, Keir Hardie established the Labour Party for the working-classes and is regarded by many within to be its 'greatest hero&apos. A passionate treatise arguing for the end of war by bettering labour classies and universal social co-operation, it is understood why Hardie would have owned this curious work, perhaps influencing his own ideas. Anitchkow also attacks free trade agreements as a means of peace due to the number of nineteenth century wars. Fourteen years after the book was published, the First World War would start. Hardie died in 1915 while organising a general strike for pacifism. In the publisher's original red cloth. Externally, fading to the spine and board extremities, with the odd spot to spine. Bumping to the head and tail of the spine, and to the extremities. Minor rubbing to edges. End papers are generally bright and clean with small signs of browning. Hardie's signature to front free end paper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are mostly bright and clean, with the odd spot to leaf extremities, mostly to first leaves. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .