Autographs
Communist Labor Party Founder John Reed on Bolsheviks!
JOHN SILAS "JACK" REED (1887–1920). American Journalist, Poet, and Socialist Activist, best remembered for his first-hand account of the Bolshevik Revolution, “Ten Days That Shook the World.”
Jan. 6 (c. 1919)-Dated Bolshevik Revolution period, Typed Letter Signed in Pencil, "John Reed," 1 page, 8.5" x 10.75", Quarto, from (lacking address) Patchin Place, New York, About Fine. The tan paper is brittle, with significant chipping and having small pieces broken out with splits at its folds. Sold “as is” as such. Reed writes, in full:

"My dear Dr. Ball --- If you have been reading my articles on Russia in the Liberator, especially that on 'The Structure of the Soviet States' and those which preceded it, you would not have to ask me about the passing of property into the hands of the workers and peasants, and how they work it. Nor would you have to ask if the Bolsheviki represented the working-class. Who else could they represent? The Bolsheviki, as I have written, now call themselves the Communist Party, and are still in power. The lates[t] news from Russia is that they now have an army of a million, and are whipping hell out of the Allies. They are Marxians - as a matter of fact, they call themselves the only real Marxists. They believe in [pro]letarian revolt followed by a dictatorship of the proletariat and one forcible expropriation and socialization of private property ... The opposition to Breshkovskaya is that she is not a Marxian, and what's more, she is old, and a compromiser. Gorky is not an Anarchist. As a Socialist, I should have thought you would have known that he has been a Marxian Socialist (Internationalist) for many years. I am very sorry that I cannot help you more, but if I answered your questions I should have to write a book, and I haven't the time - as well as having already answered most of them in the Liberator. Yours sincerely. -- (Signed) John Reed"

Reed returned to the U.S. on April 28, 1918 as an enthusiastic supporter of the new revolutionary socialist government. After being an eyewitness to the Bolshevik Revolution, Reed wrote his book "Ten Days that Shook the World" published in early 1919. He took pains to defend the Bolsheviks and oppose American intervention, but a hyper-patriotic public incensed at Russia's departure from the war, gave him a generally cold reception. Excellent content from Reed relaying his enthusiasm and admiration for the Bolsheviks. The signature “John Reed” is written in silver lead pencil and measures a large 2.75” long at the Letters conclusion. Very scarce!