Aktsioon I, II, III (An Action I, II, III) [All three published volumes of Estonian leftist literary almanac]

Aktsioon, Tallinn - Tartu, 1926, 1927, 1929. Soft covers. 1st edition. Estonian language. Octavos: I & II 22 x 17 cm, III 27 x 20,5 cm. Weight 470 g. I: 54, [2] pp; II: 84 pp; III: 128 pp. Near fine to good condition; Vol I & II are in near fine condition, front wraps show slight soiling and creasing across corners, internally almost fine. Vol III front cover shows slight solinig, extensive staining on the back cover, repaired small missing outer corner pieces of the cover and spine, trace of moisture along bottom margin to the end of the book, small moisture stain to the bottom of the fore-edge throughout the book, occasional pages foxing. Inscribed by Aleksander Antson on title-page.

The literary group "Aktsioon" (Action) was founded in 1926 by an Estonian radical leftist writer Aleksander Antson (1899–1945) with like-minded Socialist inspired intellectuals. Together they published three collective literary volumes "Aktsioon" (1926, 1927, 1929), which include urban and working-class poetry and prose permiated by sharp social protest, political opposition, militant internationalism and longing for a New State. Among contributors were both well-known younger generation proletarian writers, such as Aleksander Antson, Ormi Arp, August Mälk, August Jakobson, Julius Oengo, Ralf Rond and several debutans as well. According to the critics, Valter Kaaver with his expressionist socially critical verses about modern world (" The city and the day", "Factories! Factories!", "Radio poem" and others) is considered the most important and talented young litterateur of the almanac series. Also highly praised Antson's plays describing the horrors of war and the revolutionary struggle and his sharp satirical epigrames.

Minimalist cover design of the first two volumes has changed to the eye-catching red-black-white avant-garde constructivist approach in the last volume, which is more close to almanac content. Design created by Märt Laarman (1896-1979), who was mostly known as one of the leaders of the cubist-constructivist movement in Estonia called the Estonian Artists Group (Eesti Kunstnikkude Ryhm) and editor of the iconic publication of Estonian avant-garde, programmic almanac of the Group "Uue kunsti raamat" (The Book of New Art).