THE CRIME (Das Verbrechen) Volume 1 - by the author of "J'Accuse"! (First UK edition in the scarce dustwrapper)

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First UK edition, published during the later years of the First World War in 1917. This copy retains the very scarce original printed dustwrapper. The book was published anonymously to protect the identity of the author from the German authorities. It was written by Richard Grelling, a German lawyer and pacifist, attacking the German government for its part in beginning World War One. Translated from the German by Alexander Gray. Although published as "Volume 1", Volume 2 only appeared in 1918. ***Very good in red cloth-covered boards with gilt titles and borders to the spine and front board. The boards are generally clean, but there is some damp marking at the bottom of the rear board - not affecting the interior (please see scans). Head and tail of spine slightly creased, with some fading where the dustwrapper is chipped. Corners sharp. No reading lean to the binding, and no splitting or fraying. Page block edges foxed. Internally also very good, with no inscriptions and none of the usual foxing - pages really clean. Two pages remain uncut (pp.345-52). ***In the original and scarce thin paper dustwrapper, which is fairly complete, but which has some chipping to the edges. There is also a closed tear and associated creasing to the top edge of the back panel. The dustwrapper is priced ten shillings and sixpence net on the spine. Some darkening, mainly to the back panel. (Please see scans) ***225mm x 150mm. 510 pages, including an Index at the back of the book plus a four-page publisher's advert. ***'I have only one name and only one ideal: the Truth, which has need neither of a label nor a special state, since it is immortal. "J'Accuse!" stands to-day the foremost of all books dealing with the War because it was a concrete historical statement by a German of the responsibility for the beginning of the World War. The Germans have made futile efforts to purge themselves of the crime of having brought on the war.' (Quote taken from the front panel of the dustwrapper) ***Richard Grelling (11 Jun 1853 - 14 Jan 1929) was a German lawyer, writer and pacifist who wrote the international best selling book "J'Accuse" in World War I, publicly criticizing the actions of Germany for waging a war of aggression in Europe. Richard Grelling was born in Berlin, at that time the capital of Prussia. He studied law but after finishing his studies worked as a writer and dramatist. In 1892 he was a founder-member of the German Peace Society, of which he was vice-chairman. From 1903 he lived near Florence, until Italy joined the belligerents in 1915, after which he moved to Switzerland. In 1915 Grelling wrote the anti-war book entitled "J'Accuse", condemning the actions of Germany in causing the war through its foreign policies. The book was banned in Germany but was translated into many languages and enjoyed huge sales. Printed excerpts in the form of propaganda leaflets from its text were dropped by aircraft of the British Expeditionary Force into the Imperial German Army's trenches in France before the Battle of the Somme in 1916 in an endeavour to undermine the fighting morale of the German troops situated there. He followed this success of "J'Accuse" with "Das Verbrechen" (The Crime), in which he attacked his critics, including his son, the philosopher Kurt Grelling. He later worked for several newspapers, among them the Frankfurter Zeitung. During the Weimar Republic most of his writings were boycotted. Grelling died in Berlin. (Wiki) ***First UK edition, published during the First World War. Whilst the book itself is still fairly common, copies in the original dustwrapper are virtually unobtainable now. The dustwrapper is a fragile survivor. Scarce thus. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc. ***. N° de ref. del artículo 9028

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