Available from: Underworld Amusements | Amazon.com | Amazon.UK | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org

DER GEIST issue five features the first publication of original research, and archival materials thought lost. Steven T. Byington (first English translation of Der Einzige und sein Eigentum by Max Stirner); Thomas Common (first English translation of Friedrich Nietzsche); Georgia Replogle (first English-language journal on egoism); Malfew Seklew (the Laughing Philosopher); Arthur Desmond (author of a notorious book); Dora Marsden, S. E. Parker and more.

DER GEIST (Trevor Blake, editor; Kevin I. Slaughter, co-editor) is an English-language journal for an international audience, publishing original scholarship on the philosophy of egoism. The journal is descriptive of the first century of egoism in print (from the 1845 publication of Der Einzige und sein Eigentum by Max Stirner to the end of 1945), not prescriptive in advocacy of egoism.

DER GEIST, The Journal of Egoism from 1845 – 1945
ISSUE 5
Spring 2022
Paperback, 206 pages, fifteen dollars
ISBN 978-1944651244
ISSN 2639-5339

CONTENTS

Introduction by the Editor

1. Steven T. Byington

A Proofreader Looks Back | The Human Cutworm | Photo of Steven T. Byington | Biographical Note | Selected Bibliography

2. Thomas Common

Review of Survival of the Fittest | The Silent Isle: Finding the Gravesite of Thomas Common | A Memorial | Selected Bibliography

3. Ragnar Redbeard

Bertha McNamara’s Reflections on Arthur Desmond | Illustration from The Worker | John Ploughman and His Letter | The Brutalitarian: A Journal for the Sane and the Strong | Lion’s Paw Banned | Confessions of an Anarchist

4. Max Stirner / The Ego And His Own

Donald Rooum’s “Eigenheit” | An Early Literary Portrait of Max Stirner

5. Dora Marsden

Brainy Beauties | Private Places | Lover of Freedom

6. Malfew Seklew

Dan O’Brien, Social Supercrat | Victor Grayson, M.P.: A Rhapsody on a Reality | Spencella Wilkesbarre’s What Women Ought to Know | Stanley Simpoleon Says Seklew Stand-In | William Henry Powell and Malfew Seklew | Poetic Beer Drinker | A Remarkable Character | Two from Day Book

7. Free Spirits

Photo of Georgia Replogle | Photo of S. E. Parker | Letter from Denise Juin | Interview with S. E. Parker | Sophie Leppel’s “Pig Eaters Challenge” | Herbert Roseman on Laurance Labadie | Leedz Anarkyst: Greevz Fisher (1845-1931) | Holbrook Jackson on Nietzsche | Index of Der Geist | From the Library | Index to The Lumberjack / Voice of the People | A Thank-You to Patrons | Select Titles Available | About the Editors

Der Geist issue 4 is now available! That creates a total of 724 pages of egoism from 1845 to 1945, with “lost” works reprinted, new translations every issue, rare photos and images, and new research and writing.

Available from: Underworld Amusements | Amazon.com | Amazon.UK | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org

In this issue, a previously undiscovered speech by Ragnar Redbeard; original translations of Max Stirner and Malfew Seklew; rare reproductions from Dora Marsden and Friedrich Nietzsche; individualists and eccentrics versus the KKK; and more.

DER GEIST, The Journal of Egoism from 1845 – 1945
ISSUE 4
Spring 2021
Paperback, 172 pages, fifteen dollars
ISBN 978-1944651-21-3
ISSN 2639-5339

Daily Herald (28 March 1914)

SIMPOLEONS! Listen! Don’t be a blister on the Bosom of Time, but look like Napoleons of Labour by wearing “Sericine” Silk Ties. Something new. Seklew’s Sample Shilling Set: 3 Ties, 1 Tie-maker, 1 silver-cased Collar-fastener. 1s the Lot. Agents wanted. Particulars 1d. – Seklew and Co., 11, Chester Street, C.-on-M., Manchester.

Recollections of a Remarkable Nottingham Character

Your Day to Day note concerning the death of Frederick M. Wilkes, in America, interests me very much, and saddens me a little.

When I was in my ‘teens I knew him well. He was one of the most entertaining “characters” I have ever met, and I often wondered what became of him. I was never sure what his name actually was. Sometimes he was “Wilkes,” sometimes he styled himself “Wilkes-Barre,” but the name he was fondest of was his literary nom-de-plume, “Malfew Seklew,” a play, probably, on his actual name.

As an orator he was great fun. His command of “adjectives” amounted to genius. Once, when he was debating with a more polished and more ordinary speaker, he burst out with: “Man, you’re just a ‘phrase-monger‘-you know nothing about words!”

I enclose a portrait him which appeared in the Labour Annual 1900. I have kept the book all these years for the sake at this picture of old friend. A biographical note accompanying it states;

Seklew. Malfew, b. Sheffleld in ’63, at “Nottingham Journal” same time J. M. Barrie; in America 15 years, and worked at almost everything not respectable, including running for Congress. An amusing and lively prophet of the new Egoist-Materialist-Libertarian-Socialist School. Has a striking personality, deep earnestness, and strong character, and is not dead yet. —c/o Truth seeker, 35, Villiers-street, Bradford.

Many Callings.

There is strong internal evidence that this note was written by himself; and how he would enjoy doing it! He got his living in various ways, hawker, pedlar, market-place, orator, free-lance Journalist. Sometimes was well-dressed and apparently affluent; at other times he was obviously “down on his luck.” He exaggerated himself, and earned with the “unco guid,” and the then Chief Constable, a bad reputation which he did not deserve. He left Nottingham after a fight with a policeman whom he accused of deliberately persecuting him. I did not see him again for a long time, though I heard rumours him being in various towns the North, particularly Glasgow.

“Democratic Sausages.”

One fleeting glimpse I had of him in Nottingham years afterwards. I was walking through the old Market-place one night on my way home, when I was hailed from behind, and he came running after me, looking fat and comfortable but not too prosperous. He pushed Into hand leaflet which stated that “Malfew Seklew” the famous social reformer, was opening an emporium for the purveying of “sausages and mash” in St. James-street, Nottingham, and craved the support of his beloved friends the proletariat of the city.

He looked at mme with something of the old roguery in his eyes and said: “Democratic sausages, old chap, proletarian potatoes and Socialist soup, that’s what I’ll give ’em! Come and see me, sometimes.” I promised. But not long after he was once more on his travels and I never saw him again.

And now he’s gone probably on the last, long journey that he never believed in.

S. Fisher

2 March, 1938.

ANARCHISTS IN EDINBURGH.

DEAR COMRADE,
In your last issue appears a letter signed L. Vyner, Edinburgh, who expressed a wish therein that some representative of the S.D.F. might join issue in the Meadows with the “blatant egoist” named Malfew Seklew, who takes pleasure in ridiculing Social-Democracy, and take advantage of the big crowds Seklew gets to spread our principles. If I mistake not this is an attempt on the part of Seklew and his friends to draw attention to themselves and their meetings, and to get a bigger crowd by this ” draw.” Readers of JUSTICE possibly might infer from Vyner’s letter that the Social-Democrats of Edinburgh had been frightened into silence by the blatant and egoistic one. Now, as a matter of fact, on the night Vyner speaks of, Malfew Seklew got as unmerciful a drubbing from our comrade Doull, of the Edinburgh branch, as it was ever the fate of an Anarchist to receive at the hands of a class-conscious Socialist. I hope you will insert this and expose an attempt on the part of the Anarchists above mentioned to obtain a cheap advertisement and a further draw.

—Fraternally yours,

Edinburgh. R. R. O’CONNOR.

It is very interesting to learn that there is a Handbooker Club in Newcastle-on-Tye, and that its members meet on Sunday evenings to discuss the matter furnished by those columns. The secretary of the club invites me to an expression of my views on Egoism and Altruism, mainly, as I gather, in the hope that I might assist the members in combating the views of Mr. Malfew Seklew, editor of the Truthseeker, of Bradford. I have very little space at my disposal at this moment, but the club secretary sends me two copies of the journal in question, and enables me to form some judgement of Mr. Seklew’s value as an intellectual guide. I learn from a glance at page 5 of No. 6 of the Truthseeker, over Mr. Seklew’s signature, that so long as a dog on the wheel of progress buries its head in the shifting sands of sentiment, it will remain insipid and insane, instead of being a soldier foremost in the ranks of freedom. I am informed that the members of the Handbooker Club are all young men, and I would very earnestly council them to notice that this kind of confusion is never encountered in the writing of any person who has ever begun to study the art of thinking. There is nothing which betrays the muddle-headed more fatally than the jumble of incongruous [things]. A writer who thinks he whilst his mental images are involved in that kind of chaos is no guide for anybody.

Memorial de la Loire et de Haute-Lore, March 13th, 1914, page 6:

ACHETEUR DE TRESSES
De soie artificielie
désire entrer en relations avec fabricants de ces articles. S’adr. avec échantillons et détails a M. Seklew et Cie, 11 Chester St. Oxford Rd., Manchester, Angleterre.

BUYER OF BRAIDS
Artificial silk
Wants to get in touch with manufacturers of these items. Send address for samples and details to Mr. Seklew & Co., 11 Chester St. Oxford Rd., Manchester, England.

La Gazette de Chateau-Gontier, October 1st 1933, page 3 and Excelsior, September 10th 1933, page 1:

Celui qui est esclave des circonstances abdique son pouvoir sur sa propre vie. Il est l’esclave la ou il devrait être le maître.

– Malfew Seklew

The one who is a slave circumstances abdicates the power on his own life. He is the slave where he should be the master.

Excelsior, October 1st, 1933, page 1:

Les plaisirs de la poursuite sont plus séduisants que les calmes joies de la sécurité.

– Malfew Seklew

The pleasures of pursuit are more seductive than the calm joys of safety.

Excelsior, October 8th, 1933, page 1:

Le meilleur témoignage de la qualité d’une civilisation est la qualité de ses loisirs.

– Malfew Seklew

The best testimony of the quality of a civilization is the quality of its leisure.

“SEEING THE COUNTRY IN AMERICAN FASHION.”
UNSYMPATHETIC POLICE OBJECT.

Malfew Seklew, who describes himself as “an alien, seeing the country in the American fashion,” was summoned before the Newcastle Bench, yesterday, on charges of obstruction, the first in Forth Street, on the 16th inst., and the second West Clayton Street, on the 21st inst.

The officer, in the first case, informed the Bench about 7:50 p.m. defendant was standing on a chair in Forth Street, lecturing to a crowd, which extended from one side the street to the other. He refused to desist or give his name, and used foul language. The constable therefore took him the Westgate Station, defendant resisting all the way.

Sir Charles Hammond, the presiding magistrate, asked whether defendant was using foul language when on the chair, or whether reserved for the police. The officer replied: For the police.

Defendant: Did I call you a loafer — Yes. — Is that foul language? — The Clerk (Mr. Roberts): He was in his policeman’s uniform. — Proceeding, defendant said he was on “common property,” — the land was in Chancery and did not belong to the police. – Sir Charles: The police have as much control over property in Chancery as you have over your hat when it is on your bead. — This intimation seemed rather to surprise the defendant.

Another officer deposed to having cautioned defendant shortly before the previous witness spoke to him. At that time he was selling a patent tie maker. — Defendant: I protest. That is not relevant. — The Clerk: It very relevant, think, as showing your object and intention.

Addressing the Bench, defendant first made allegations of brutality against the police, and went on to say that he was “an alien seeing the country in the American fashion.” He was earning his living selling a little patent of his own, and at the same time he was lecturing on egoism, individualism, and various other philosophies. — Sir Charles: “Where do you lecture?” – “In the street.”

“On this occasion,” defendant added seriously, “I was lecturing in a place which I understand has been used for 20 years, without police interference. I was preaching my philosophy to the English people — a brand new philosophy. (Laughter.) In fact was doing what Jesus is supposed to have done, I was talking the masses.”

The Chief Constable proved a conviction against the defendant for using obscene language at Nottingham in October last year. That, Seklew explained, was “a put up job, the same as this.”

A fine of 40s and costs was imposed, with the alternative of one month.

The second case was gone into, the officer who proved it, stating that when he spoke to defendant, he appealed to the crowd, mostly composed of youths under 20 years, “to resist, as free born citizens of Newcastle, the aggression of the police.” (Laughter.) — Another fine of 40s and costs with a similar alternative, was imposed.

Re the ILP Club Room Controversy

To the Editor of the “Bradford Daily Telegraph”

Sir, – Mr. A. T. Sutton knows as much about this affair as a pig knows about the perfumes of paradise. I would suggest that this poor misguided human document should cease to exhibit his second-hand thoughts until he has ascertained the truth concerning it. Mr. Sutton not only tramples on the truth, but murders it. He has moral delirium tremens, and cannot think clearly while in this condition. The dogmatism of A. T. S. is pitiable. He seems to be anxious to spread himself, whether right or wrong. When he denies that a member of the Girlington ILP Club called at Mr. Gott’s residence on the Sunday afternoon previous to the date for the contest, he assassinates the truth and talks through his whiskers. I was present when this committeeman called, and we three went straight away to the meeting, where Mr. Sutton and other great men of this picayune party were biting lumps off the atmosphere in their agony, trying to solve this mighty problem. I trust the day is far distant when these majestic minds will dominate the destinies of the nation. For ineptitude, vacillation, and merciless juggling with the truth they are – well, let the public judge.

Yours, etc.
MALFEW SEKLEW
Bradford, Feb 28.

THE COSTERS’ UNION.
UNFURLING THE BANNER.
LAST NIGHT’S PROCEEDINGS.

Last night (Thursday) Barnard’s Theatre Royal, Woolwich, was crowded at both performances, great interest being manifested in the unfurling of the banner of the United Kingdom Male and Female Streetsellers and Hawkers’ Union. The ceremony was performed by Mr. Will Crooks, M.P.. who, during the performance of a well-arranged programme of various items, sat in a box with Mrs. Crooks, Mrs. Kline (Woolwich Guardian), Miss Lake, the Mayor of Woolwich, and Councillor Alfred Hall. Others present included Messrs. C. C. Gibson, president of the union; K. Mendez, vice-president; J. F. Jefferson, F. J. Phayer and H. Brown, trusteess; F. C. Harding, C. Channing, J. Gilbert, W. Dennard, C. Rumsey, T. W. H. Wright, G. Mansfield, J. Barnett, W. Holmes, H. Arnsby, committee; Mr. F. Wilkesbarre and H. J. Cohen, official organisers; W. Owen and A. Segain, auditors; G. S. Henderson, general secretary; and C. Robinson, assistant secretary.

In addition to the ordinary turns, special items were rendered by Harry Weston (son of a member), Harry Wright (hon. member). Paddy Gilbert (hon. member) and Harry Broughton (hon. member), and Ruffle’s Bioscope, which showed some excellent pictures of Wollwich Market.

During an interval in the programme, the ceremony of unfurling took place. In the first house it was done by Mr. Crooks, who, with the Mayor and Councillors, occupied seats on the stage. The chair was taken by Mr. Gibson. Prior to the unfurling, the “Banner Song,” composed by Mr. F. Robinson, was admirably sung by Mr. Harry Broughton, the chorus being rendered by the choir of the union, which was also on the singe.

The chairman, in introducing the member for Woolwich, said they had met for a good purpose. Very nearly twelve months ago the idea came into their heads that they would form a combination for self-protection, and be was glad to say that they had succeeded immensely up to the present. The chief idea of the organisation was to defend its members from any unjust attack made upon them in the pursuit of their calling. With regard to the special business in hand, on February 4th they had an entertainment in the Theatre Royal, by kind permission of Mr. Barnard, and by that they realised the sum of £35, with which they had purchased a banner and regalia.

Mr. Crooks, who was most cordially received, said be must first congratulate Woolwich on the possession of such a fine singer as Mr. Broughton, who would do credit to any town. It was extremely kind and generous of him to come amongst them that night. Referring to their organisation, he said that with a man at their lead like the chairman he did not think they need fear suffering any injustice. But the representatives of justice sometimes saw a little more than really happened, said it was well that, should occasion require it, there should be someone ready to explain to the magistrate. While enrolled under that banner they would be able to let people see that, although they had to get their living in the streets, in all weathers, and not always under the best of conditions, they were respectable – and very respectable – people. The shopkeeper, and the shop assistant knew what difficulties they were under. They could tell them of how some people spent half-an-hour in a shop, and then bought a halfpenny worth of pins, while the street seller often had to put up with a lot of people staring at his stall instead of moving on and making room for those who had money to spend. He hoped that they would maintain their dignity and pride for the work they bad to do. They had to put up with a deal, he knew, and be tolerant with people who were not very tolerant themselves. He had always found, and he spoke from ripe experience, that men and women were respected in accordance with the measure of respect they had for themselves, and therefore every member must be careful of his or her own dignity, as well as the dignity of the association. He congratulated the chairman and the union, which was equal with any other Trade Union in the country.

The banner, when unfurled, was found to be of blue silk, with a deep border of crimson. It bore the words, “United Kingdom Male and Female Streetsellers and Hawkers’ Union – Unity is Strength.” The design consisted of a fine representation of the market in Beresford Square, showing the stalls and shops round the Square, surmounted by emblems of fruit and bowers. It was very pretty, and capitally executed.

Mr. Councillor Hall, being called upon, said he must congratulate the streetseller and hawker upon the success they bad achieved. Solicitors, doctors, carpenters, engineers and others had their unions. and why not they? He hoped that every success would attend the branch.

Mr. Jefferson moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Crooks and Councillor Hall. When he first took a business he had hut one object – himself and his business. He had had 25 years’ experience up and down the country, and he knew the hardships of a streetseller’s life. He had always found that the fairer they dealt with the general public, the fairer the public dealt with them. He meant to do all he could for the branch, which had his fullest sympathy.

The vote of thanks being seconded, it was duly carried, and the proceedings concluded.

At the “second house,” the proceedings were very similar to those recorded above, excepting that the Mayor of Woolwich (the Rev. L. Jenkins Jones, L.C.C., J.P.) unfurled the banner. He was supported by Councillors Turnbull, jun. and Hall.

The chair was again taken by Mr. Gibson. Mr. Councillor Messent, the ex-Mayor, being unable to attend so amount of being out-of-town.

The Mayor’s remarks were very brief. He said it gave him great pleasure to be amongst his fellow citisens. He recognised the necessity on the part of people to combine for the purpose of obtaining the justice which each man was entitled to as a citizen of the Empire or the Borough in which he lived. Labour was dignified. It did not matter whether it was the Prime Minister or the gentleman whom circumstances decreed he should be King, so long as he laboured with dignity. No man need by ashamed to carry on his work, whatever it might be, provided he did it in the proper spirit. No occupation that was legal was degrading. It was rather the people who degraded the occupation. He hoped that those who went out into the streets to sell, or had a stall in the market, would never forget that they were in every way entitled to the same privileges as the greatest citizen in the country.

Mr. Turnbull said he was gratified to be present. He thought that if it was a good thing for those in factories to combine, it was a good thing also for those who sold their goods in the streets and market places to combine also.

The formation of the United Kingdom Male and Female Streetsellers and Hawkers’ Union was also reported in the London Daily News for 25 July 1904, the Walsall Advertiser for 06 August 1904, the Essex Newsman for 13 August 1904, and the Kentish Independent for 24 February 1905. – Trevor Blake