Munich, Ziegelbrenner, 1919. The first book by the author who later became known as "B. Traven" and wrote such novels as The Treasure of the Sierra Madre and The Death Ship under that pseudonym. Marut was a German anarchist who started a publication in 1917 called Der Ziegelbrenner (The Brick Burner), for which he wrote a number of articles. In 1919, the press issued this book by Marut. The journal continued publishing until 1921; Marut left for Mexico in 1925, where he adopted his pseudonym and wrote a series of novels, including the above-mentioned ones. Later, in the 1940s, when The Treasure of the Sierra Madre was being filmed, Marut may have posed as B. Traven's agent, "Hal Croves," in order to have access to, and input into, the film. Contemporary owner signature in pencil on the half-title; covers chipped; a very good copy of a rare and fragile book. Scarce: while occasional issues of Der Ziegelbrenner turn up, we have never seen another copy of this title. Housed in a custom quarter-leather clamshell box. [#031744] SOLD