James Bryson McLachlan (J.B.) was born February 9, 1869 in Ecclefechan, Scotland to farm labourers, Esther Bryson and James McLachlan. At age 10, McLachlan left school to work in the Coltness Iron Company Lanarkshire mines with his father, but remained home-schooled by his mother who taught Calvinist religious literature. Later, McLachlan would identify as Baptist, and later again Presbyterian and United. Catherine (Kate) Greenshields and McLachlan were wed in 1893 by a Baptist minister and had 4 children before emigrating to Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia in 1902, where McLachlan worked in the Princess colliery. Carrying with him the knowledge and experiences of poor mine conditions and worker wages from Scotland, McLachlan became a local union leader and established himself as a prominent voice for workers’ rights in Nova Scotia coalmines.
Shortly after his arrival, he became a local in the Provincial Workmen’s Association (PWA). He was elected secretary-treasurer of District 26 United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) in 1909; UMWA dissolved in 1915 and re-established in 1919, but McLachlan continued his role as a UMWA officer between 1916 and 1918. During this period, McLachlan moved to a farm on Steeles Hill, Glace Bay, in 1913. McLachlan’s involvement in these unions granted the opportunity for him to play a significant role as a leader in the Cape Breton mining strikes of the 1920’s. This four year struggle fought for employee control, liveable wages, and eight-hour work days. During these strikes, McLachlan was convicted of seditious libel in 1923 and was released in 1924. In 1933, he became president of the Worker’s Unity League, a position he held until 1936.
Beyond union representation, McLachlan formed the first Cape Breton local of the Socialist Party of Canada in 1907 and in Sydney Mines in 1909. In 1916, he was a Socialist candidate for the House of Assembly, and represented Cape Breton’s Independent Labour Party in 1917 and 1918 as president. Until 1936, he was also a member of the Communist Party of Canada. In addition to his political affiliations, he was editor for Maritime Labour Herald until 1926 and the Nova Scotia Miner from 1929-1936. McLachlan died at the family farm at Steeles Hill on November 3, 1937, and is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Glace Bay with his wife, Kate (d. 1939).
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Collection consists of artifacts, two volumes of Karl Marx, a child's cap, and a block of salt; McLachlan's personal library of books that he owned consisting of socialist, communist, religious, and labour material; and textual records that include poetry, notes, correspondences, and one journal. The material spans between 1744 and 1941, and consists of records from Scotland, England, and Canada. The material in this collection shows McLachlan's interest and involvement with labour movements and his desire to improve conditions for the working class in Cape Breton.
Artifacts are on temporary loan to the Nova Scotia Museum for the "Vanguard" Canada 150 exhibition.
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Series consists of artifacts donated by J.B. McLachlan's grand-daughter Mary McLachlan-Sanger.
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Series consists of books accumulated by James Bryson McLachlan and his family between 1744 and 1941 in Scotland, England, and Canada, pertaining to Socialism, Communism, mine conditions, Russia, religion, literature, and history. Some books include signatures or annotations written by McLachlan; gifted books include notes from close friends or political comrades.
Inscribed in pencil on page 227 with scribbles next to 5 lines of text and 3 lines of text underlined.
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Newspaper clipping titled "Against Lowering of Coal Duties" found on page 226.
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Spine lightly damaged
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Inscribed in pencil throughout book with portions of text underlined and highlighted. Inscribed in pencil on last page with math.
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Spine lightly damaged
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Stain on back cover.
Volume 2 of series.
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Spine missing, front and back cover are detached and held together with duct tape, pages are in good condition
Inscribed in pencil on page 209 to highlight 4 lines of text.
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Small stains on front and back covers
Inscribed in pencil on page 91 highlighting 2 paragraphs of text. Inscribed in pencil on last page with numbers or math.
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Some foxing throughout book.
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Stains on some pages throughout book.
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Inscribed in pencil on page 327 to highlight 8 lines of text with 3 lines of text underlined. One page inserted in back of book titled: "Education: How Old the New."
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Inscribed in pencil throughout most of book with sections of text underlined, highlighted, and annotated.
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Some stains throughout book.
Inscribed in pencil on pages 51 and 52 with text underlined and annotated at the bottom of page 51.
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Some water damage and foxing throughout.
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Foxing occurring, spine label mostly missing and quite damaged.
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Spine and edges experiencing wear.
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Foxing on first few pages.
Inscribed in pencil on top of second page: to be (circled) is (underlined) are (underlined) was (underlined) were (underlined) / are followed by the Nom. case (underlined). Inscribed in pencil throughout book.
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Poor condition, spine broken, some pages falling out, pages browned
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Spine in poor condition, back cover is falling off
Volume 2 in series. Yellow and green rope bookmark on page 152.
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Stain on front cover, spine is detaching and spine label is difficult to read
Drawings in pencil appear on several pages in pencil.
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Back cover missing, one stain throughout book.
Inscribed throughout book in pencil with sections of text highlighted, underlined, and annotated. An errata is inserted on page 54. A corner of a newspaper is inserted on page 192.
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Back cover missing, front cover up to contents are detached.
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Minor foxing, stains on front and back cover, front cover barely legible.
Inscribed in red and black ink throughout highlighting passages and underlining text.
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Back cover is missing, front cover and spine are detached
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Spine has detached but front and back cover are attached to spine, water damage
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Tearing at top of spine, pages quite stiff.
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Stain on front cover.
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Foxing throughout book, spine mostly gone.
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Volume 1 in series.
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Spine label beginning to detach
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Front and back cover detached, some stains on front and back covers.
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Front cover and front matter missing, back cover and back matter missing, missing the last 5 pages, spine label mostly gone.
Inscribed in pen on inside front cover center and top of first page: please return / Jules / Laverne / Spring Hill / NS. Inscribed in pencil on page 180 highlighting 12 lines of text and underlining 3 lines of text.
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Pages 193-194 are missing.
Inscribed in pen on center of first page: Mr. Malcolm Lynk / 110 South Street, / Glace Bay, / 9.13.
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Foxing throughout book, some wear on spine.
Inscribed in pencil on inside front cover and first page are scribbles.
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Front and back cover detached from book, spine label mostly in tact.
Inscribed on top-left corner of first page in pencil: Mr. A Nicholson
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Minor tears on spine, one stain on bottom of pages.
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Some damage to spine
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Front and back cover detached.
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Stains on front and back cover.
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Back cover detached, spine very broken, damage to spine label.
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Front cover detached and ripped.
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Spine has been replaced with duct tape, last several pages and back cover are ripped in the bottom corner.
Six pages of The Great Moment inserted on page 184.
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Minor water damage.
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Spine label faded.
Inscribed in pencil in center of first page: AW Kennedy
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Spine mostly torn.
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Back cover paper is slightly bent, some discoloration
A pressed flower on the image titled "Waldenses fleeing from the burning village," is on page 262.
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Significant foxing.
Inscribed in pen in top-right corner of first and fifth pages: J. Gushman
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Stains on front and back covers, some damage to spine.
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Spine label is barely legible.
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Some water damage has warped front cover.
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Spine slightly broken, page 103 is missing.
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Stains on front cover.
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Front cover barely attached.
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Volume 2 of series.
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Book is complete from preface to chapter IV.
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Front matter and back matter are missing.
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Tearing on spine label.
Inscribed in pen throughout book are markings to highlight, underline, circle, and annotate portions of text.
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Significant foxing throughout book.
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Spine label is beginning to tear.
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Spine in poor condition.
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Spine lightly damaged.
Four pages of Condensed Novels: New Burlesques by Bret Harte was inserted at the front of the book.
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Spine is broken and held together with duct tape.
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Spine lightly damaged, several pages are ripped, notable water damage.
Inscribed in ink on first page: British History / Poynings' Law was passed 1494 enacted that no parliment should be held in Ireland until the Irish chief govenor and privy counsel had informed the English King of all the acts they intended to pass: then were further required to give full reasons for such refusal and to obtain the counsel. It also affirmed that all laws made in England for the Brits [crossed out] should hold good in Ireland. / Horrum multum in terrae vescit / Viri boni librum pararum pallorum / parat.
Inscribed in pencil on second page: alfred Robinson / no 11 / Poyning Law was passed in 1494 in England that no / JR / JR / JR / JR / J
Inscribed throughout the book are markings and drawings in pencil.
Inscribed on the last two pages of the book in pencil is a paragraph about transportation and communication, roads nearby, and a chart of inventions and their inventors.
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Front and back covers and spine have been replaced with green paper and duct tape.
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Front cover is ripped, spine is detached, spine label is partially visible, back cover is ripped.
Inscribed in pencil on reverse of front cover: drawing of a face. Inscribed in pencil on reverse of back cover and last page: BARBARAM / B (scribbles)
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Some pages are badly stained, the spine is nearly detached, some foxing, front matter and up to page 7 of preface is missing.
A typed verse of "To Mary in Heaven," by Robert Burns was found in this book.
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Spine label difficult to read.
A receipt from Chernin Brothers (Gent's Furnishings, Ladies' and Gent's Boots and Shoes) for the sum of ten dollars was found on page 63.
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Minor foxing.
A news clipping for an article titled "Some Praise for Mr. Gillis," was found on page 158. This article is a commentary on communists, socialists, and the church.
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Front cover is missing, significant foxing, back cover is detached.
Inserted on page 90 was a personal letter received from Annie Buller, a member of the Worker's Unity League dated September 19, 1935. The letter describes Annie's travel plans, arrangements, and discusses the work that the two will carry out when they meet.
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Some foxing.
One page of the New York Times Book Review from December 25, 1932 was found on page 14.
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Front cover is detached.
Volume 3 of series. Some personal calculations for airways were found on a sheet of paper on page 834.
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A newspaper clipping of the poem "Why Shouldn't I?" by Olive M. MacLeod was found at Revelation 6 on page 494.
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Scratches visible on front and back cover, material stuck on back cover.
A photo of a young boy in a rocking chair was found on page 171 at chapter 8. Inscribed in pen on the back of the photo: Jame MacLachlan / MachDougal St.
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Minor foxing.
A large ripped page of a local newspaper was found at page 48. A postcard with "A Poem by James B. McLachlan" was found in the book.
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Some wear to spine.
A mail form for The International Socialist Review was found on page 78.
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Spine label difficult to read.
A bible clipping of Revelation 6 was found on page 32.
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Spine label difficult to read.
Volume 3 of series. The high school entrance certificate and grade 9 report card from Glace Bay High School for Mary McLachlan were found on page 240. Inscribed throughout book in pencil are drawings and scribbles.
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Front and back covers are detached, book is split in half.
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Front cover is missing, spine material is detached.
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Front cover is missing, the first few pages have been torn, the back cover is missing, and last page has been torn.
Volume 4 of the series.
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Front and back cover are detached, pages 1-208 are missing.
Inscribed numbers in pencil throughout book.
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Some ink and water stains throughout book.
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Foxing is apparent throughout the book; spine material is detached; front and back covers are loosening.
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Front and back covers removed; duct tape used as binding; pages torn.
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Front and back covers missing; foxing apparent throughout book; some binding loosening.
Inscribed in ink on first page: James McLachlan / April 30th 1900
Inscribed in pen throughout book are markings to highlight, and underline portions of text. Front cover includes: price 25 cents.
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Front cover torn; binding glued in place; white paint on front cover; foxing apparent throughout book.
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Binding loosening and discolouring; some stains throughout book.
4 newspaper clippings tucked between pages 74 and 75.
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Binding discolouring and loosening; some foxing apparent on front pages.
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White paint on front cover; binding weakening; some stains throughout book.
Inscribed in ink on first page: J.B. McLachlan / 94
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Some stains on front cover.
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Binding becoming loose; minimal stains throughout book.
Inscribed in ink on first page: Sunday, Jan 1, 24 / Dear Jim: Here is the book I wanted to send you Christmas Day, but could not get it! Good luck & God bless you! Remember this first promise in the word of God: "The Lord of the human will brush the Serpenti Leva phagh it will burn for hell" - or huch li ouw yfeut. / Bryan
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Foxing apparent throughout book.
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Minimal foxing throughout book.
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Binding weakening; foxing apparent throughout book.
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Some stains on first few pages of book.
Inscribed in pencil in the top left corner on the front side of the back cover: 6850 / PPE / 150
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Foxing apparent on outside of pages.
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Foxing apparent throughout book.
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Minimal foxing throughout book.
"Canada One Eighth Pound Tobacco" wrapper found between pages 166 and 167; Jack of Clubs playing card found between pages 490 and 491.
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Foxing apparent on page edges.
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Foxing apparent on page edges.
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Stains on front and back covers; foxing apparent throughout book.
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Foxing apparent on page edges.
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Front and back covers missing; binding material detached and replaced with duct tape; book missing preface and table of contents; foxing apparent throughout book; some pages torn.
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Binding loosening; stains and foxing apparent throughout book.
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Some stains on front cover and throughout book.
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Some stains on front and back covers; minimal foxing throughout book.
Inscribed in pencil on pages 9 and 10 with sections of text annotated.
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Some stains on first few page of book; foxing on page edges.
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Foxing and stains apparent throughout book.
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Front cover removed; pink stains on first page; minimal foxing throughout book.
Inscribed in pen and pencil on page 400 with sections of text underlined and highlighted.
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Foxing apparent throughout book; stains on front and back cover; binding loosening.
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Foxing on page edges; discolouration of book binding.
Words underlined in pencil throughout book.
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Binding material detached; stains on covers and throughout book; foxing apparent throughout book.
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Some stains throughout book; discolouration and loosening of binding; some pages torn.
Inscribed in pencil throughout book to highlight chapters and sections of text.
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Binding replaced by duct tape; stains on covers and throughout book; foxing apparent on page edges.
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Back cover removed; stains on front cover; binding loosening; foxing apparent throughout book.
Various numbers inscribed in pencil on first page and back of front cover.
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Some binding material removed; some foxing and stains throughout book.
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Some water stains throughout book.
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Foxing and some stains apparent throughout book; binding becoming loose; some pages torn.
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Some stains on first few pages; foxing apparent on page edges.
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Binding material detached; various missing, stained and torn pages; foxing apparent throughout book.
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Front cover, back cover and binding material detached; foxing apparent throughout book.
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Front cover, back cover and binding material detached; some stains throughout book; foxing apparent on page edges.
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Front and back covers removed; binding material and first few pages detached; stains and foxing apparent throughout book.
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Some loose pages; some stains throughout book; foxing apparent on page edges.
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Binding becoming loose; stains on covers and throughout book; foxing apparent on page edges.
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Covers and binding material detached; some stains and foxing apparent throughout book.
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Binding becoming loose; some stains on front and back covers.
Sections of text noted and underlined throughout book.
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Some stains throughout book.
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Book cover torn; some stains throughout book.
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Foxing apparent throughout book.
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Binding material beginning to decompose; some torn and water damaged pages; stains and foxing apparent throughout book.
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Covers and binding material detached; stains, tears and foxing apparent throughout book.
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Binding becoming loose; some stains and foxing apparent throughout book.
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Foxing apparent throughout book.
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Binding growing weak; foxing apparent throughout book.
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Book binding tearing off; foxing apparent on page edges.
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Binding becoming loose.
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Binding becoming loose; foxing apparent throughout book.
Numbers inscribed in pencil on back of front cover.
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Front cover, back cover, binding material and first few pages detached; several pages torn and stained; foxing apparent throughout book.
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Binding material decomposing; some stains and foxing apparent throughout book.
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Binding becoming loose; some stains, tears and foxing apparent throughout book.
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Front cover and binding material detached; some stains throughout book; foxing apparent on page edges.
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Part of binding falling off; some stains throughout book; foxing apparent on page edges.
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Foxing apparent on page edges.
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Some stains on back cover and first few pages; binding becoming loose; foxing apparent on page edges.
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Binding becoming loose; some stains throughout book; foxing apparent on page edges.
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Binding material falling off book; some stains on covers and throughout book; foxing apparent on page edges.
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Series consists of one journal dating between 1910-1914, two poems, two letters of correspondence, one note, and one newspaper clipping.
Inscribed in pen, pencil, and crayon throughout journal are drawings and markings.
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Item is a journal with notes detailing coal market conditions, production costs, wages, and details of 4 specific mines. Dates of writings range between 1910 and 1914.
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Item is a poem written by J. B. McLachlan titled, "In the Miners' Row," about the power that the mine companies had over workers and the duties that workers ought to carry out to fight for their rights.
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Item is a copy of a poem titled "Twelve More Hours," written by J. B. McLachlan hours before his release from prison as he longed to return home to his wife. The poem was written on the back of a letter received from Daniel Livingstone.
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Item is a letter addressed to Tim Buck dated June 13, 1936. This letter details McLachlan's reasons for withdrawing from the Communist Party of Canada, explaining that he had been misunderstood, shown a lack of support, and believed the party was falling to the right.
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Item is a letter from Daniel Livingstone to J. B. McLachlan dated March 3, 1924. The letter details Livingstone's wishes for J. B. to phone him in Westville immediately upon release and for the two to meet at a convenient time and place.
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Item is a cheque addressed to J. B. McLachlan for the sum of $200.00 from the United Mine Workers of America. Two notes are included with the cheque that reflect McLachlan's frustration with UMWA, expressing that he did not want the money enclosed.
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Item is a newspaper clipping for a piece titled, "Working Class Politics." This piece explains the foundations of socialism, how that may have benefited the working class population, and a plea to vote for J. B. McLachlan, the only non-capitalist candidate.