A whimsical image marking the day in 1949 when the GDR was founded out of the Soviet Zone of Occupation and the Soviet Sector of Berlin. From the GDR film 'Der Lewerenz - Porträt eines Heizers' (director Peter Rocha, 1984).

No wonder they look happy: it could take many years between putting in your order and finally getting your new 'Trabi'. (A second-hand one could be had much more quickly, but typically you'd pay more for it than for a new one.)

Published in 1981 by the Leipzig 'Verlag für die Frau' this book contained over 150 pages of illustrations and plans for fitting out your new home.

A history of Britain from the GDR (1979 edition), with - by way of a sample - the last two pages from the final chapter.

A 1982 GDR booklet on the rise of 'Solidarnosc' in Poland. The text is a commentary by the East German 'Christian Democratic Union' party. Note the repeated use of the word 'solidarity', implicitly reclaiming it for the communist perspective.

From 'Introducing the GDR' (1978 edition marking 30 years of the state's existence).

Seven years after German unification: from Neues Deutschland's calendar of GDR artists.

In 1948 a line is drawn between the East and West sectors of Berlin, where, 13 years later, the Wall was built. Their amused expressions suggest the onlookers had no idea what lay ahead. (Photo from Thomas Flemming & Hagen Koch, 'Die Berliner Mauer', Berlin 2001)

62 years ago this month: erection of the Berlin Wall. This pamphlet contains Walter Ulbricht's explanation of what it was for. But perhaps the most interesting part is the supportive comments from abroad, including 3 from the UK. (And who is Mr Butterworth?)

From a 1960 West German government booklet on the collectivisation of agriculture in the GDR.

An intriguing mix of messages on the cover of the GDR magazine 'Jugend und Technik' from June 1962.

The GDR version of the movement of refugees between the two German states (from a 1960s booklet).

Images of villages 'before and after socialism', from the children's book 'Das Dorf - gestern und heute' (E. Berlin, 1981). Any preferences?

Forty years ago this month: 'GDR Review' celebrates 'Karl Marx Year' - and at the same time warns of the threat posed by the imminent arrival of Cruise and Pershing missiles in Western Europe.

Pamphlet produced by the GDR Christian Democratic Union - one of the 'bloc-parties' designed to bring traditionally non-communist parts of the electorate into the SED-led fold. (With an intriguing Bedfordshire connection for this English translation.)

November 1989: An unprecedentedly soul-searching number of GDR Review (with some very attractive stamps featured on the back cover).

Half a century ago: from a GDR road map showing the location of petrol stations across the country (there were actually quite a few!).

Covers and sample pages from a 1959 West German government pamphlet on the GDR's paramilitary 'Kampfgruppen der Arbeiterklasse'. The Kampfgruppen are described in the East German 'Kleines politisches Wörterbuch' as 'Vom Klassenfeind gehasst, vom Volk geliebt' . . .

English version of a 16-page GDR pamphlet from 1960. Addressed to the 'West German Workers', it calls for a 'Summit Conference for the German People' (Front and back covers + extract.)

From a GDR brochure of November 1958, produced by the 'Committee for German Unity'.