A group of three scarce leaflets from Bertrand Russell's campaign as Labour candidate for Chelsea at the 1922 Parliamentary General Election.

THE SUM TOTAL OF PRINTED MATERIAL PRODUCED FOR RUSSELL’S 1922 ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

In 1922, and again 1923, Bertrand Russell stood unsuccessfully for parliament as a Labour candidate for Chelsea, "one of the safest Tory seats in the country. He had no chance of winning against the sitting MP, Sir Samuel Hoare, and, indeed, did not want to; he only agreed to stand, he said, to make propaganda for the causes in which he believed" (Monk, p. 19). As far as we have been able to trace, and as far as the holdings of the Bertrand Russell archives at McMaster University suggest, the group represents the sum total of printed material produced for Russell's 1922 campaign.

i. RUSSELL (Bertrand). To the electors of Chelsea. 

First and only edition. Folio (290 x 220mm). Single sheet, folded as issued, 4 pp., front wrapper with a black and white photographic portait of Bertrand Russell and a facsimile of Russell’s signature on page three. Discreet repair to lower corner of front page, three horizontal folds, some minor creasing to edges, otherwise very good. N.p. [London], H.W. Talbot, [1922].

An outline of Russell's election pledges, a thoroughly socialist campaign that included a capital levy and nationalisation of the coal-mines and railways in a striking move away from his earlier, more traditionally liberal political thought. Presumably distributed "on or before 7 November 1922 (the date of the first public meeting advertised on p. [4])" (Blackwell & Ruja, p. 92).

Blackwell & Ruja, A Bibliography of Bertrand Russell, A42.1a. OCLC list only one copy, in the Bertrand Russell archives at McMaster University. 

ii. RUSSELL (Bertrand). Why Thinking People Vote Labour. 

First and only edition. 8vo (185 x 120mm). Single sheet, folded as issued, 4 pp. Some minor creasing to edges, otherwise very good. N.p. [London], H.W. Talbot, n.d. [but circa 1922-1923].

An exhibition of Russell's social democratic credentials, the leaflet outlines four reasons why Labour deserves election, maintaining that only Labour can avert revolution, secure the economy, promote education and sanitation, and "preserve European civilisation from collapse". Not dated and as such could have been produced for either the 1922 or 1923 election. 

Not in Blackwell & Ruja, A Bibliography of Bertrand Russell. OCLC list only one copy, in the Bertrand Russell archives at McMaster University.

iii. RUSSELL (Dora). The Hon. Mrs Bertrand Russell's appeal. 

First and only edition. Folio (285 x 220mm). Single sheet, folded as issued, 4 pp., with a black and white photographic portrait of Dora and John Conrad Russell on the first page and a facsimile of Dora’s signature on page three. Central horizontal fold, some minor creasing to edges, otherwise very good. N.p. [London], H.W. Talbot, [1922]. 

In her position as Chairman of the Chelsea Women’s Labour Guild, Dora Russell (née Black) presents six reasons why women voters should support her husband Bertrand Russell and vote Labour, underscoring his support for full enfranchisement and equal rights for women. After Bertrand's two failed attempts, Dora stood as Labour candidate for Chelsea in 1924, again losing to the Conservative candidate Sir Samuel Hoare.

OCLC list only one copy, in the Bertrand Russell archives at McMaster University.

Stock Code: 231127