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TLS in German, signed “L. Trotsky,” one page, 8.75 x 11.25, November 24, 1935. Letter to "Comrade Schmidt," in full (translated): "I am following with the greatest concern the action in Holland. The result appears to me to be completely satisfactory and very promising. The ones who were thrown out—or at least their leaders—will not be able to accomplish anything for they were good only to be thrown out. The most viable elements will still reconquer. It is, however, not a matter of these dozens and hundreds, but of the tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands. Only now the RSAP is getting the necessary elbow room. I am writing about it at some length to Sneevliet, for I can write neither English nor Dutch; Sneevliet will share my letter with you.
In Sneevliet's letter I find the sentence: 'The two speeches of Schmidt were excellent' and am pleased about it. Permit me in this connection a little personal memory: after the visit of De Kadt and you with me in France, I told a few friends: De Kadt is only a self-satisfied Philistine. Schmidt, however, appears to me to be a real revolutionary. Also, I have shared with Sneevliet at the time this little impression and am pleased not to have been mistaken.
I will write to Sneevliet about the ILP. You have not answered my inquiry about the ILP, I suppose because of the inner party situation at that time. I would like for you to do it at this time." In fine condition, with a few very short edge tears. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope.
This letter was written by Leon Trotsky in exile during the mid-1930s, when he was closely monitoring and advising revolutionary socialist movements in Europe after his expulsion from the Soviet Union and amid the consolidation of Stalinist power. It reflects factional struggles within the Dutch Revolutionary Socialist Workers’ Party (RSAP), led by Henk Sneevliet, and Trotsky’s belief that purges of ineffective leaders could strengthen revolutionary prospects as Europe moved toward intensified class conflict and fascist threat.
From the personal collection of a lifelong collector, teacher, and traveler with a passion for world history. His collecting years ranged from the 1970s to the present day, meaning that several of the premier pieces have not been on the market in decades.
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