a polish pianist and composer on a political mission
POLISH NATIONAL COUNCIL OF AMERICA. Free Poland. A semi-Monthly. The Truth About Poland and Her People. [Chicago, "Narod Polski" Publishing Co. for the Polish National Council of America], January 6, 1915-September 1, 1917.
4to. 65 issues bound in one volume, contemporary green buckram, spine lettered in gilt; highly illustrated throughout, in good condition generally.
This impressive tome contains a good portion of this well-designed, illustrated and informative American periodical, promoting Polish self-determination during WWI. Free Poland was published from 1914 to 1919 and urged the American or Polish-Amercian public to support Polish independence. The main proponent in the US for the Polish cause was Ignacy Jan Paderewski, the pianist, composer, philanthropist and political activist. Before becoming Poland's prime and foreign minister he played an important role in meeting with President Woodrow Wilson and obtaining the explicit inclusion of independent Poland as point 13 in Wilson's peace terms in 1918, called the Fourteen Points. He seems to have been one of the most important driving forces behind this very rare periodical. A number of entries refer to the Polish musical life, both in exile and in the homeland.
COPAC locates the first issue of 1914 only, at UCL.
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