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her assigned tasks of investigating merchandise and sport, was on women’s lives and work, and is evident in the numerous photos and her annotations: beneath photos of a tour of a tractor manufactur- ing plant in Stalingrad (Volgograd), she notes that 25 per cent of the 15,000 employees were women, commenting that this number was aided by the childcare services offered by the factory [pp. [31–2] of vol. 1]. A post-tour newspaper article mounted on p. [33] of vol. II quotes Burton’s assessment of Russian women’s opportunities and conditions: “there are very great opportunities for women in Russia today, but I didn’t like the sight of them doing heavy work”. The re- port adds that, “Miss Burton’s chief criticism of the U.S.S.R. was the consumer foods, especially the clothes for women”. Prior to her involvement in politics Burton was a pioneering sportswoman. In 1920, at age 16, she claimed the title of world’s sprint champion, as well as playing hockey and swimming compet- itively for her home county of Yorkshire. She continued this passion into her political career and campaigned for the creation of an inde- pendent grant-supported body for sport in England, leading to her appointment as a member of the Sports Council in 1965. £3,750 [131618] 34 (BUSBY, Margaret.) HOUSTON, Libby , A Stained Glass Raree Show; James Grady , Saipan Elegy; James Reeves , Selected Poems. London: Allison and Busby Limited, 1967 Together 3 works, octavo. Original illustrated wrappers. Bookplate to Stained Glass Raree Show of Alexander Esmé Gordon, the Scottish literary agent and writer. A little toning to spines, else wrappers bright and sharp, internally fresh; a near-fine set. First editions of the three works with which Margaret Busby, Brit- ain’s youngest and first black woman book publisher, launched her publishing house Allison and Busby Limited (A&B), co-found- ed with Clive Allison. Busby worked as the house’s editorial director for 20 years, during which time A&B published a number of signif- icant titles, including Sam Greenlee’s The Spook Who Sat by the Door , Val Wilmer’s Jazz People , one of the finest books ever written on jazz, and George Lamming’s The Pleasures of Exile . £100 [131293]
and the postcards which are loosely inserted. Covers slightly browned at edges; in very good, fresh, condition. Two scrapbook albums of photographs, newspaper clippings, and ephemera, compiled and neatly annotated by Elaine Burton MP (1904–1991) upon her return from the three-week British parlia- mentary delegation tour of Russia, starting on 30 September 1954, “to get a better conception of Soviet life” and to “strengthen An- glo-Soviet relations”. Burton was one of two women selected to par- ticipate, the other being Conservative MP Edith Pitt. The scrapbook begins with Burton’s letter of invitation, a sample application form for entry into the USSR, and eight pages of press clippings report- ing the imminent trip. Burton’s primary focus on the tour, alongside
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All items are fully described and photographed at peterharrington.co.uk
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