Original 1932 Lachendes Land und lachende Leut by Franz Resl humor book with KPO Communist Party stamp. The title page is cut out. There are two pages stamped "Eigentum der K.P.O. Bücherei Sektion II". The book has some staining and general wear.
K.P.O. stands for Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands (Opposition) (Communist Party of Germany (Opposition)). KPO was established at the end of 1928. The group initially sought to modify the mainstream Communist Party of Germany (KPD) rather than to be a serious competitor. The KPO broke with KPD over corruption and theft among higher members of the party. KPO represented the so-called "right opposition" in communist ideology. KPO never had broad influence or electoral success. Varying sources say membership was between 1,000 and 6,000. The KPO wanted to make a united front against the NSDAP with the Communists (KPD), Social Democrats (SPD) and Socialist Worker's Party (SAPD). However, the other parties were not interested in a collation. After the NSDAP came to power in January 1933, the KPO existed only as an illegal and underground organization.
Franz Resl was born in Linz in 1883. He served in WWI on the railroads and worked in railway until he lost his fortune during inflation. He then toured Austria and Germany as a "humorous public speaker" (aka the 1930s equivalent of a comedian). He and his wife joined the NSDAP in 1932. Throughout the 1930s, he wrote numerous articles and books and produced several entertainment and variety radio programs for German and Austrian radio stations. After 1938, he performed as a popular solo entertainer throughout the Third Reich. In 1939, he became a city councilor in Linz. After the war, he was briefly held by the Americans, but then continued in his career, seemingly without interruption.
So there you have it. A book written by a Nazi party member comedian, and owned by a Communist Party. This book came out in 1932 and the KPO was banned in 1933 (though it existed in exile in some form until 1939). It seems odd given the circumstances in 1932/1933 to have a library with a joke book.
