Started by Mahatma Gandhi, Harijan Bandhu was one of the most important weekly journals in Gujarati that chronicled a wide range of subjects, viz. national, political, social, educational, industrial, civic, economic, linguistic, medical, spiritual, and also the arts!
We are now pleased to offer one of the rarest collections of Harijan Bandhu consisting of the complete 52 issues of 1947–48, a momentous period of Indian history. Sourced with immense difficulty, these originals are extremely rare and hard to find, let alone in such excellent condition as the ones we are offering.
The pièce de résistance of this collection is the first post-independence issue dated 17 August 1947. Unlike major newspapers of the time, Gandhiji's weekly journals (including Harijan Bandhu) did not celebrate independence day with euphoric headlines on the front page. Deeply pained by the partition of India, Gandhiji wrote in the preceding issue published on 10 August 1947 that independence day ought to be observed as a day of fasting and prayer. The issue dated 17 August 1947 was unique because it was the only one bearing the rare Jai Hind postmark — the first commemorative postmark of independent India that was issued on 15 August 1947.
The original pages of this entire collection of 52 journals have been meticulously guarded in high-grade sheet-protectors that are archived in three separate ring-binder files.
Several images of these vintage rarities are attached herewith for the perusal of those interested.
HARIJAN BANDHU
Year of publication: 2 February 1947 to 25 January 1948 — Extremely Rare Originals
Volume no.: XI
Issue nos.: 1 to 52
Total number of pages: 504
Editor: Pyarelal
Language: Gujarati
Format: Foolscap-size original sheets. Each page is meticulously guarded in high-grade sheet-protectors that are archived in three separate ring-binder files.
Dimensions: 35.6 cm x 27.3 cm x 6 cm (File nos. 1 & 2); 35.6 x 26.3 x 4 cm (File no. 3).
Total Weight: 5.5 kg.
Condition: Pre-Owned. Excellent — Near Pristine. Pages clean, firm & intact. Natural yellowing/foxing of the newsprint owing to age. Minor edge-wear to some pages owing to age/use.
Inscription: The name of the original owner is handwritten on a select few pages only; sample image attached.
Stamps: A faded blue rubber-stamp of the original owner's address is present on two pages only; images attached.
Underlining: Minimal underlining in three pages only; sample images attached.
Postmarks: Faint postmarks of the time are present on the front page of several issues. The rare Jai Hind postmark is present only in issue no. 29, dated 17 August 1947; image attached.
Remarks: Painstakingly sourced, original prints of Harijan Bandhu are extremely rare and hard to find, let alone in such excellent and intact condition as the ones we are offering now. The 1947–48 collection, consisting of the weekly issues immediately preceding and following independence, is particularly rare and elusive with the first post-independence issue being the only one bearing the unique Jai Hind postmark.
Please email us on kumarclassicbookpoint@gmail.com for cost and availability, or for any further queries in order to serve you better. Delivery in Mumbai is free.
