Since 1924, International Publishers (IP) has been a pioneer publisher of Marxist literature — bringing to the world classic texts of Marxism-Leninism, as well as the writings of W.E.B Du Bois, Herbert Aptheker, Philip S. Foner, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, Claude Lightfoot, Antonio Gramsci, William Z. Foster, Angela Davis, Gerald Horne, and so many others. Despite attempts during the McCarthy era to close IP and jail its founder, Alexander Trachtenberg, it persevered, and has continued its mission to publish high quality, inexpensive Marxist literature, fiction, and nonfiction.
To celebrate IP’s centennial anniversary as a radical publisher — in collaboration with the Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, and NYU Libraries — we invite you to join us for a day-long symposium on Thursday, October 26. The event will take place from 9am to 5pm at New York University’s Tamiment Library (70 Washington Square South New York, NY, 2nd Floor).
The keynote address will be given by Dr. Gerald Horne, Moores Professor of History and African American Studies at the University of Houston, and author of over 40 titles, including his most recent book Revolting Capital: Racism & Radicalism in Washington D.C., 1900-2000.
Speakers will also include an array of scholar-activists: Elisabeth Armstrong, Paul Buhle, Joelle Fishman, Melissa Ford, Dennis Laumann, Joel Wendland-Liu, Denise Lynn, Carlos Martinez, Justine Medina, Dee Miles, Norman Markowitz, Tony Pecinovsky, and Jarvis Tyner.
Throughout the day, participants and guests will discuss the impact of Marxist publishing and International Publishers, as well as the influence International Publishers has had on the struggle for African American equality and Black liberation, the labor movement, peace, internationalism, and socialism. The rising threat of book bans and censorship of radical thought will also be examined.
“This is an especially important time to celebrate and recognize IP’s history,” Tony Pecinovsky said. “With a new generation exploring socialism, IP is more important than ever. While we’re celebrating IP’s past, we’re also gearing up for our future as a premier publisher of Marxist titles.”
While it is perhaps best known for its extensive selection of affordable paperback classics, such as The Communist Manifesto and What is to be Done?, or the 50 volume Marx–Engels Collected Works, IP’s reach has gone far beyond works of philosophy and political strategy.
Additionally, IP is proactively soliciting new, original manuscripts from scholars and historians, including monographs by Denise Lynn, Director of Gender and Sexuality Studies and Editor of American Communist History, as well as Melissa Ford, Associate Professor of History at Slippery Rock University, among others.
“IP’s archives at Tamiment, along with the CPUSA’s and the Daily Worker’s, collectively are some of the most sought-after archives in our collection,” Shannon O’Neill added. “This symposium will shed light on IP’s history and encourage others to explore avenues for radical historiography.”
A pop-up exhibit co-curated by Tony Pecinovsky and Shannon O’Neill, that examines International Publishers’ history, will also be on view.
For a full catalog of IP titles go to intpubnyc.com.
Image: International Publishers
Comments
Author
-
C.J. Atkins is the managing editor at People's World. He holds a Ph.D. in political science from York University in Toronto and has a research and teaching background in political economy and the politics and ideas of the American left. In addition to his work at People's World, C.J. currently serves as the Deputy Executive Director of ProudPolitics.
Join Now