Description

Pößneck, Germany: Brigade Deutsche-Sowjetische Freundschaft, 1968–1973. 300 by 220 mm (11¾ by 8¾ inches). Red buckram folder preprinted “Brigade-Buch” in gilt; [100] lvs. 36 mounted gelatin silver photographs ranging in size from 60 × 85 to 170 by 240 mm. Damage to cover (at one point 1/3 of the cover was folded backwards).

The “Brigadebuch” was a diary that every worker collective in East German enterprises had to create. The term “Brigade” has its roots in the Russian language, where it draws its meaning as a unit of co-workers. The Brigadebuch showcases all aspects of professional and private life of the collective. The concept of these diaries is as a means of self-understanding, education and self-education in the work collective in order to contribute to the shaping of “socialist behavior” and “collective relationships”.

This Brigadebuch documents from 1968–1973 the socialist brigade “German-Russian Friendship”, which was responsible for agricultural harvesting machines in the greater Pößneck region (Thuringia, Germany)—more specifically, it is the brigade book of the vehicle fleet of the Council for Agricultural Production and Food Industry (RLN), Pößneck. The album is chock full of photographs, newspaper clippings, loyalty pledges, letters of commendation and agricultural statistics. For example, there is a spread on the Soyuz 4 and Soyuz 5 Soviet space missions (and a hand written article on attempts at welding in space). The album starts with a signed copy of the brigade “contract” setting forth their loyalties and requirements pertaining to the twenty year anniversary of the founding of the GDR. Most pages hand written, some are typed, and there are 36 mounted photographs. A unique insight into how East German worker collectives functioned on a daily basis that is quite foreign to us in our capitalistic society.

Price: $795

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