Description
Pamphlets from both the Little Blue Book and Big Book Series published between 1924 and 1950 by socialist activist Emanuel
Haldeman-Julius (1889-1951). The pamphlets are printed on pulp paper and staple-bound, and were marketed to workers and the
"educated" classes. Almost all the titles deal with homosexual themes, and cover a wide variety of subjects, including classical
literature, history, useful knowledge, and frank treatment of sexuality. The bulk of the pamphlets were written in the late
1940s by David Oliver Cauldwell, a prolific and pioneering sexologist who published extensively on homosexuality and transsexualism.
The sensational, often lengthy, titles were dictated by the publisher to pique public interest and increase sales.
Background
Emanuel Julius was born in Philadelphia on July 30, 1889, the son of a Jewish bookbinder who had emigrated with his family
from Russia. Harassed as a child for being Jewish, Julius developed a distain for all religion. After leaving school at age
15, Julius worked at a variety of menial jobs. He also read voraciously, in particular literature and pamphlets published
by socialists, which was inexpensive and readily available. Convinced of their truth, Julius joined the Socialist Party before
World War I. He became a journalist and in 1915 moved to Girard, Kansas, as editor of
Appeal to Reason, an influential socialist newspaper with a large national circulation. The following year he married Anna Marcet Haldeman
(whose name he added to his own in hyphenate), daughter of a wealthy local banker and niece of the social worker Jane Addams.
Restrictions
Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in writing from ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives as the
physical owner. Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in the materials. Note that ONE
National Gay and Lesbian Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials directly from the copyright
holder(s).
Availability
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.