"Yud", poem in fifty sections by Moshe (Moishe) Broderzon. Photomontages and graphic design: Yehudah Lewin and Pinchas Szwarc. Photography: H. Lerski [Helmar Lerski] and M. Grossman [Mendel Grossman?]. Lodz: H. Prowizor, 1939. Yiddish.
Copy missing title page plate.

Last book of poetry to be published by the Yiddish poet Moshe (Moishe) Broderzon, giving expression to his somber premonitions regarding the calamity descending upon European Jewry, unfolding before his eyes. The book includes three plates (out of an original four) featuring photomontages consisting of photographs of Jewish figures. One of the works shows the towering figure of a German soldier looming over a handful of Jews squatting over a pail. The plates are signed in print by the graphic designers, Yehudah Lewin and Pinchas Szwarc. Some of the photographs appearing in the photomontages are by Helmar Lerski.

A handwritten dedication in Yiddish, inscribed by Moshe Broderzon himself and dated 1939, appears on the page preceding the title page. It is addressed to "Chaim Lieberman, " (possibly the Yiddish journalist and literary critic Chaim Herman Lieberman).

Moshe (Moishe) Broderzon (1890-1956), poet, playwright, and founder of a number of artists' groups in Poland, including the avant-guarde "Jung-Yiddish" group, the Ararat Theater of Lodz, and "Had Gadya, " the world's first Yiddish marionette theater. Escaped to the Soviet Union following the Nazi occupation of Poland. Arrested in 1950 on suspicion of anti-Communist activity and sentenced to prison in Siberia. Released in 1955. Returned to Lodz. Died of a heart attack in 1956.

[1], 50, [2] pp. + [3] plates., approx. 24.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Minor stains and blemishes. One plate detached. Binding and several leaves partly detached. Inked stamp ("lodz 1939") in bottom margin of last page. Cloth binding, with blemishes and wear. Spine detached, with closed and open tears.