East German Studies Archive at Reading University

A treasure trove at the University of Reading of more than 6,000 journals, pamphlets, books, dossiers and films on East German subjects!

[East German Studies Archive at Reading University @EastArchive]

Not - for once - from the GDR, but something not dissimilar from France (possibly even more 'militant' in its iconography - note the boss's cufflinked arm being pulled away! ('11' is the number of the Aude département.)

[East German Studies Archive at Reading University @EastArchive]

A whimsical image marking the day in 1949 when the GDR was founded out of the Soviet Zone of Occupation and the Soviet Sector of Berlin. From the GDR film 'Der Lewerenz - Porträt eines Heizers' (director Peter Rocha, 1984).

[East German Studies Archive at Reading University @EastArchive]

No wonder they look happy: it could take many years between putting in your order and finally getting your new 'Trabi'. (A second-hand one could be had much more quickly, but typically you'd pay more for it than for a new one.)

[East German Studies Archive at Reading University @EastArchive]

Published in 1981 by the Leipzig 'Verlag für die Frau' this book contained over 150 pages of illustrations and plans for fitting out your new home.

[East German Studies Archive at Reading University @EastArchive]

A history of Britain from the GDR (1979 edition), with - by way of a sample - the last two pages from the final chapter.

[East German Studies Archive at Reading University @EastArchive]

A 1982 GDR booklet on the rise of 'Solidarnosc' in Poland. The text is a commentary by the East German 'Christian Democratic Union' party. Note the repeated use of the word 'solidarity', implicitly reclaiming it for the communist perspective.

[East German Studies Archive at Reading University @EastArchive]

From 'Introducing the GDR' (1978 edition marking 30 years of the state's existence).

[East German Studies Archive at Reading University @EastArchive]

Seven years after German unification: from Neues Deutschland's calendar of GDR artists.

[East German Studies Archive at Reading University @EastArchive]

In 1948 a line is drawn between the East and West sectors of Berlin, where, 13 years later, the Wall was built. Their amused expressions suggest the onlookers had no idea what lay ahead. (Photo from Thomas Flemming & Hagen Koch, 'Die Berliner Mauer', Berlin 2001)

[East German Studies Archive at Reading University @EastArchive]

62 years ago this month: erection of the Berlin Wall. This pamphlet contains Walter Ulbricht's explanation of what it was for. But perhaps the most interesting part is the supportive comments from abroad, including 3 from the UK. (And who is Mr Butterworth?)

[East German Studies Archive at Reading University @EastArchive]

From a 1960 West German government booklet on the collectivisation of agriculture in the GDR.

[East German Studies Archive at Reading University @EastArchive]

An intriguing mix of messages on the cover of the GDR magazine 'Jugend und Technik' from June 1962.

[East German Studies Archive at Reading University @EastArchive]

The GDR version of the movement of refugees between the two German states (from a 1960s booklet).

[East German Studies Archive at Reading University @EastArchive]

Images of villages 'before and after socialism', from the children's book 'Das Dorf - gestern und heute' (E. Berlin, 1981). Any preferences?

[East German Studies Archive at Reading University @EastArchive]

Forty years ago this month: 'GDR Review' celebrates 'Karl Marx Year' - and at the same time warns of the threat posed by the imminent arrival of Cruise and Pershing missiles in Western Europe.

[East German Studies Archive at Reading University @EastArchive]

Pamphlet produced by the GDR Christian Democratic Union - one of the 'bloc-parties' designed to bring traditionally non-communist parts of the electorate into the SED-led fold. (With an intriguing Bedfordshire connection for this English translation.)

[East German Studies Archive at Reading University @EastArchive]

November 1989: An unprecedentedly soul-searching number of GDR Review (with some very attractive stamps featured on the back cover).

[East German Studies Archive at Reading University @EastArchive]

Half a century ago: from a GDR road map showing the location of petrol stations across the country (there were actually quite a few!).

[East German Studies Archive at Reading University @EastArchive]

Covers and sample pages from a 1959 West German government pamphlet on the GDR's paramilitary 'Kampfgruppen der Arbeiterklasse'. The Kampfgruppen are described in the East German 'Kleines politisches Wörterbuch' as 'Vom Klassenfeind gehasst, vom Volk geliebt' . . .

[East German Studies Archive at Reading University @EastArchive]

English version of a 16-page GDR pamphlet from 1960. Addressed to the 'West German Workers', it calls for a 'Summit Conference for the German People' (Front and back covers + extract.)