JF Ptak Science Books Post 1728
In the wide and deep collection of social history pamphlets and ephemera that exists here cheek-and-jowl with the history of science material I have found one of the truly great pieces of cover art/design--it stands easily in the top percentile for overall design, and it does get its message across very quickly. It is also evidently rare, as I can find no other copies of the thing. It certainly seem to be the first time it has appeared on the intertubes.
The pamphlet was aimed at the "under 30" crowd, as we are warned right up front, in the first paragraph of the pamphlet, that if you are over 30, "we suggest you pass it along to someone under 30"--which is where the "Young" must come into play.
The essence of the Young Communist League is "ACTION EDUCATION RECREATION" and of course to teach their "Comrades" to "help understand the world we live in".
The bait was set for the young and restless--and probably unemployed--youth in the midst of the Great Depression of 1937. War in Spain, a big war that not that many people were hearing about in China, a failing economy, falling prospects, and the rise of Fascism in Italy and National Socialism in Germany may have contributed to the growth in interest in this movement among the under-30 set in the great state of Illinois to attend the YCL state convention in Chicago. There were a number of odd businesses located at "208 N. Wells St" in Chicago (the Loop), though fewer were less unusual than the Young Communist League in Room 310. I'm sorry to say that I cannot determine how long they lasted there, though my guess is that Room 310 was occupied by someone else in 1942.
There seems to be quite a large hole in your analysis, that people could be attracted to Communism for positive reasons.
Posted by: Steevotron | 14 February 2012 at 01:03 PM
Steevotron--I have no doubt that people would join for "positive" reasons, as I'm pretty sure they don't join for negative ones. And as much as I hate the idea of enormous expense to keep oneself alive and clothed and fed and healthy, the Communism I have seen just doesn't seal the deal.
Posted by: John F. Ptak | 14 February 2012 at 01:11 PM
OK, it's very difficult to judge historical posters: you can't get into the mindset of readers of the time. But the guy in the poster looks deeply creepy, like the Batman Joker; I can't *imagine* how that image would appeal.
Posted by: Ray Girvan | 14 February 2012 at 08:02 PM
Maybe its the idea of the snappy salute that carried the day. ALso its not a poster in "real life" but cover art for a pamphlet that is 8x5 inches. I made it into a poster which just happens to accenuate the Heath Ledger-ness villany of the Young Communist.
Posted by: John F. Ptak | 14 February 2012 at 10:02 PM