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Register of the Pathfinder Press Publications, 1922-2003
92116
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Title: Pathfinder Press Publications,
Date (inclusive): 1922-2003
Collection number: 92116
Creator:
Pathfinder Press
Collection Size: 48 manuscript boxes, 3 phonotape cassettes, 1 envelope (20.4 linear feet)
Repository:
Hoover Institution Archives
Stanford, California 94305-6010
Abstract: Record copies of books, pamphlets, and bulletins, relating to Marxist theory and socialist political analysis and commentary,
and including works of Leon Trotsky, Fidel
Castro, Malcolm X and others. Includes publications of Pioneer Publishers, Merit Publishers, and Monad Press, predecessors
of Pathfinder Press; publications issued directly by the Socialist Workers Party and affiliates; and foreign-language translations
of Pathfinder Press publications. Also includes some unpublished material related to publishing projects.
Language:
English.
Collection open for research.
The Hoover Institution Archives only allows access to
copies of audiovisual items. To listen to sound recordings or to view videos or films during your visit, please contact the Archives
at least two working days before your arrival. We will then advise you of the accessibility of the material you wish to see
or hear. Please note that not all audiovisual material is immediately accessible.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Archives.
[Identification of item], Pathfinder Press publications, [Box no.], Hoover Institution
Archives.
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Archives in 1992.
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. To determine if this has occurred, find
the collection in Stanford University's online catalog at
http://searchworks.stanford.edu/ . Materials have been added to the collection if the number of boxes listed in the online catalog is larger than the number
of boxes listed in this finding aid.
Socialism.
Communism.
Socialism--United States.
Communism--United States.
United States--Politics and government.
Publishers and publishing--United States.
Fourth International.
Phonotapes.
Socialist Workers Party.
Pioneer Publishers.
Merit Publishers.
Monad Press.
Trotsky, Leon, 1879-1940.
Castro, Fidel, 1927-
X, Malcolm, 1925-1965.
Pathfinder Press descends from Pioneer Publishers, a publishing house established in New York City
in 1930 in affiliation with the Communist League of America (predecessor of the Socialist
Workers Party). Pioneer Publishers was superseded by Merit Publishers in 1965, and Merit
Publishers in turn was superseded by Pathfinder Press in 1969. Monad Press, which
operated between 1972 and 1986, was closely associated with Pathfinder Press.
Pathfinder Press and its predecessors have been publishers of works of Marxist theory and
of socialist political analysis and commentary. They have been the principal
English-language publishers of writings of Leon Trotsky, and have also been publishers of
documentary works on the history of the early years of the Communist International, and
on the histories of the Fourth International and the Socialist Workers Party; writings of
James P. Cannon and other Socialist Workers Party leaders; and writings of such
international figures as Malcolm X, Fidel Castro, Ernesto Guevara, the Sandinista
leaders, Maurice Bishop, Thomas Sankara, and Nelson Mandela.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection of record copies of books, pamphlets and bulletins published by
Pathfinder Press and its predecessors was assembled and maintained by Pathfinder Press in
New York City until its deposit in the Hoover Institution Archives in 1992. Pathfinder
Press descends from Pioneer Publishers, a publishing house established in New York City
in 1930 in affiliation with the Communist League of America (predecessor of the Socialist
Workers Party). Pioneer Publishers was superseded by Merit Publishers in 1965, and Merit
Publishers in turn was superseded by Pathfinder Press in 1969. Monad Press, which
operated between 1972 and 1986, was closely associated with Pathfinder Press.
The collection includes a virtually complete set of all Pioneer, Merit, Monad and
Pathfinder titles ever published. There is a distinct series of Education for Socialists
bulletins. The collection also includes a number of related publications distributed by
Pathfinder Press but appearing under other imprints. These consist principally of
pamphlets and other works published directly by the Socialist Workers Party, its
predecessors and affiliates, and associated election campaign and legal defense
organizations; and foreign-language translations of works published originally by
Pathfinder Press and its predecessors. Other copies of books in the collection will be
found in the Hoover Institution Library and Stanford University Library.
A small volume of unpublished material, including a typescript for a book, and background research material assembled in preparation
of books, also forms part of the collection.
Scope and Content of the Incremental Material
The Hoover Institution Archives acquired a large collection of record copies of publications by Pathfinder Press, its predecessors
and related publishing houses in 1992. A Register to the Pathfinder Press Collection was prepared in 1994 and remains the
principal overall description of and finding aid to the collection. Since its preparation additional shipments of material
have been received. The Addendum Register describes this material. As might be expected, it consists primarily of publications
dated 1993 and after. However there are a few earlier items. In addition there is a small volume of working material used
by Pathfinder Press in preparation of three volumes relating to the early history of the Communist International and of the
Soviet Communist Party.