The Truth About Prohibition : Stephen Leacock [ Canada ]
$85
In stock
Description
An original pamphlet criticizing Canadian alcohol prohibition efforts during the First World War, predating those in the United States, written by humorist and McGill University professor Stephen Leacock.
Leacock, Stephen. The Truth About Prohibition from the Viewpoint of an Eminent Professor. Allied Printing Trades Council: New York City. [c. 1915?]
Pamphlet criticizing Canadian alcohol prohibition efforts during the First World War written by the humorist and McGill University Professor of Political Economy Stephen Leacock.
Writing during the brief period of near total prohibition across Canada, Leacock calls the hold out province of Quebec an oasis in a dry “desert of virtue”, comically compares the logic of an alcohol ban to a coffee ban. Leacock further illustrates alcohol’s ubiquity by pointing to the imbibing habits of the nation’s politicians and clergy. As Quebec would eventually join the rest of the nation in its war time temperance efforts, allowing the ban of alcoholic spirits in 1919 (though not beer, cider, or wine, kept legal due to an earlier 1915 vote), the undated text must fall between the two decisions.
Two copies listed in OCLC as of November 2022.
8pp, disbound staple bound pamphlet. Toned pages. Wear to pgs 4-5 with margin tears. Slight misprinting pg 8. Good – Fair.
If you liked this pamphlet, you may also enjoy this original Prohibition-era cocktail guide or this copy of Fakers Old and New owned by a Canadian Social Credit Party politician.
