A report on Italy’s progress in Fascism and the Guild State, now that the “daring experiment… is no longer a project but an achievement.” Discusses a number of aspects of national activity such as land, agriculture, social services, the lira, freetime, guilds and the appointment of their representatives; financial figures throughout.

Accompanied by a letter, typed and signed, attributing this previously unascribed book to Olivia Rossetti Agresti, and requesting the Editor of The Times [Geoffrey Dawson (1874-1944)] to recognise the book in his paper. The signature remains illegible; electoral records suggest it could be one Mary Meanley but remains unconsolidated.

From the library of J[ohn] H[enry] Freeman (1889-1964), who was a journalist for The Times for 36 years from 1926 to 1962, working his way up from apprentice to foreign correspondent. Freeman reported on the surrender of the Flensburg Government in 1945, and later became the first Bonn correspondent. An admirer of Konrad Adenbauer, the first chancellor of West Germany and one of the founding fathers of the European Union, Freeman helped to communicate the commitment of west Germans to the West. Freeman’s work before the war was largely as a foreign sub-editor, often in charge of the foreign sub-editor’s room, and so it is likely this book was received and entrusted to his care. The book does not seem to have found mention in the paper.

Apparently the first of three Fascist Era publications, being Years XII, XV and XVII, each published in English and perceivable thus as propaganda. As I understand it, Agresti’s association with this book is totally novel and entirely reliant on this letter, and begs the question of her involvement in successive issues.

Light browning to the edge of the letter. Wraps age-worn, but very good.