Le gens du ‘Bloc' [People of the ‘Bloc'], by the anti-Semitic political cartoonist "Bruno." Booklets 1 and 2 (apparently, no additional booklets were published). Paris: Librairie Antijuive / Librairie Antisemite, 1903 and 1904. French. Two booklets of political cartoons, of the series "Le gens du ‘Bloc, '" propaganda against the left-wing coalition (the so-called "Bloc") that had gained power in the course of the Dreyfus affair, and eventually brought about Dreyfus's full exoneration and rehabilitation. With caricatures of the main characters in the Affair – Alfred Dreyfus, Emile Zola, Jean Jaurès, Prime Minister Emile Combes, cabinet ministers belonging the "Bloc" coalition, and others. One of the cartoons features Theodor Herzl. 1. "Autour du Cabinet – Les gens du ‘Bloc.'" Published by Librairie Antisemite. 1903. With introduction by Édouard Drumont (1844-1917), founder and editor of the anti-Semitic newspaper "La Libre Parole"; and with an antisemitic poem by François Coppée (1842-1908). [13] ff. (including front cover), approx. 37.5X27.5 cm. Back cover missing. Good-fair condition. Stains. Several tears to edges. Small open tears to three last leaves (with minor damage to print). Strip of adhesive tape to length of spine. 2. "Chéquards, Pochards, Mouchards – Les gens du ‘Bloc' (2e Série)." Published by Librairie Antijuive. 1904. With introduction by anti-Semitic author Henri Rochefort (1831-1913). [14] ff. (including cover), approx. 37.5X27.5 cm. Good condition. Minor stains and blemishes. Several tears. Blemishes and tears to edges of cover (one mended with tape). Tear to length of spine; detached leaves. From 1902 to 1905, France was ruled by a coalition of left-wing and centrist parties known as "Le bloc républicain" ("the Republican Bloc") or "Le bloc des gauche" ("the Leftist Bloc"). These were years of relative stability and tranquility for France's Third Republic; progressive legislative reforms were introduced (most notably the law separating church and state), important agreements were signed with Russia and Great Britain, rule over French colonies was solidified, and all this brought about economic prosperity. It was the height of the period referred to in hindsight as "La Belle Epoque" ("the Beautiful Period"). The Dreyfus affair was one of the main issues dealt with by the coalition; its ministers insisted on reopening the case, and set up a commission of inquiry that finally led to Dreyfus's full exoneration. The reexamination of the affair was perceived as a belaboring of the matter, and spurred an arousal and strengthening of France's anti-Semitic right. Anti-Semitic conspiracy theories – alleging that the Republic and its economy were being clandestinely controlled and manipulated by the Jews, the Freemasons, the Protestants, and other foreigners – began to take hold in the French public discourse. The two booklets in question were published on behalf of the "anti-Dreyfusards" at the time when the "Bloc" coalition was in power, and they decry – satirically and grotesquely – the malicious rot that had allegedly pervaded the French democratic system; the disproportionate power amassed by corrupt Jewish tycoons; the scheming plots being woven by the Freemasons; the undermining of French society by the all-powerful conspirator Alfred Dreyfus; the surreptitious influence of the Germans on internal French politics; and all sorts of other classic anti-Semitic and anti-Republican themes.