Editor's Archive Copy, Pro German WWI propaganda periodical 'The Fatherland', the Entire Run Vols I - VI, 1914 -1917, a total of 132 issues

New York: The International Monthly, 1917. Hardcover. Bound volumes of every issue of 'The Fatherland', the New York periodical published and edited by propagandist George Sylvester Viereck (1884-1962) and Frederick Franklin Schrader (1857-1943). Viereck is noteworthy as the most influential propagandist for the German cause in America during both World Wars.

The first 2 bound volumes are personal copies of Viereck's co-editor Frederick F. Schrader, with his name stamped in gilt at the front boards. The controversial weekly, as advertised on the cover of the first issue, advocated "Fair Play for Germany and Austria-Hungary". One issue with Schrader's annotation in pencil (Vol I No. 12).

'The Fatherland', launched August 10, 1914, received seed money from well-to-do German American New Yorkers, and quickly sold out the first edition of 10,000 copies. It expanded and set itself the goal of putting forward the German perspective on events in the war, exposing the wrongdoing of the Allied countries, revealing the prejudices of the American press, and urging German Americans to become more politically active.

Two months after the publication of the last issue of 'The Fatherland' the US entered WWI and anti-German prejudice, already strong in the US, ignited into outright persecution of German Americans.

During this period the Justice Department investigated German Americans and found much proof of Germany's propaganda work in the US. 'The Fatherland's editors, Viereck and Schrader found themselves under investigation and ejected from literary societies and run out of New York, even though no formal charges against them were made. The weekly was published under the name 'The Fatherland' only until 1917; it thereafter changed its name four times to reflect a less obvious pro-German stance, settling on the 'American Monthly' in 1920.

In the last volume in this collection the name of the publication changes from 'The Fatherland' to 'The New World' with the following explanation printed on the front page:

"The Fatherland has always emphasized that it is an American publication. Its original name was adopted as a graceful tribute to the country of our fathers. Our Fatherland is America. The change of name implies no change of heart. .... In Germany a publication named 'Uncle Sam' would not be popular at present. A publication named 'The Fatherland' may seem objectionable to many, especially to Americans of German descent who desire to emphasize that their allegiance is to America solely."

Five large 4to volumes. Vol I: Numbers 1 - 26 complete; Vol II Feb. 1915- August 1915, Numbers 1 - 26 complete; Vol III Aug. 1915 - Feb 1916, Numbers 1 - 26 complete; Vol IV Feb 1916 - Aug 1916, Numbers 1 -26 complete; Vol V: Aug 1916 - Feb 1917, Numbers 1 - 26 complete; Vol VI Numbers 1 and 2. Most issues 16pp with the original wrappers bound in. The early issues front wrappers beautifully designed and laid out and printed in color; the later issues with front wrappers printed in b&w.

First 4 volumes bound in full green gilt morocco, top edges gilt; the last volume bound in green cloth, gilt title at spine. The leather bound volume covers are beaten up with boards detached but present for the first 4 volumes; spines missing on 2 vols. Printed on quality china paper, then in 1916 with war rationing in effect, the issues are printed on newsprint, which has browned. a bit of chipping at edges, no loss of text. OCLC: 183362993 records 8 copies at German libraries.