A Letter From The Publisher, Oct. 20, 1952

Many of you have written to ask why TIME has on occasion “honored” the enemies of the U.S. by placing them on the cover. The answer: TIME’S covers reflect the news, and Communism has certainly been in the news. When a Communist appears on the cover of TIME, he is placed in the spotlight the better to be scrutinized.

When Georgy Malenkov made TIME’S cover two weeks ago, for example, it was the 41st time that a Russian Communist had been there. In addition, there have also been two Chinese, three U.S., one Mexican and seven other European Communists on the cover of TIME.*

Pictured above is a gallery of dictators and their deputies, all of whom have gone to their deaths since appearing on the cover of TIME. Below is another set, most of them still alive, some of whom might again appear on the cover.

TIME recognized the importance of Russia in the news when it first started publication. Almost 30 years ago, Communist Leader Alexis Rykov appeared on the cover (TIME, July 14, 1924). Said the story: “When Kerensky was overthrown, Rykov and his time-proved friend Lenin went on hand in hand, for better or for worse, in pursuit of the aims of Communism.”

Next to appear on the cover was Leon Trotsky, on the occasion of his return to Moscow from the Caucasus, presumably to be restored to a position of power (TIME, May 18, 1925). “The Russian sky is very large,” the story began, “and under it some of the queerest things in history have happened.” Describing Trotsky’s earlier career as commander in chief of the Red army, it said: “Always was he on the move. His discipline made that of the Czars a sort of mother’s love and it was said that every officer and soldier went in terror of his life.”

The first time that Stalin was mentioned prominently in a cover story was when Trotsky made the cover a second time on Nov. 21, 1927. Joseph Stalin, said TIME, “is distinguished by a well-shaped head surrounded by a shock of black hair, just beginning to grey. He has a silky black mustache. His eyes are black, and rarely is there a gleam of merriment in them. His facial features suggest cruelty—a hard mask of oriental ruthlessness. He is a silent man, not given to speechifying; and behind his mask lies a singular determination.”

Stalin himself made his first appearance on the cover on June 9, 1930, has reappeared eight times since (most recently as the background for Malenkov). No other Communist has approached that record. Runners-up are Molotov and Trotsky, with three each. But Malenkov, who has now been on TIME’S cover twice, may better their records in due course.

Said the first Stalin cover story: “If peace is menaced by Benito Mussolini, at least, like an honest rattlesnake, he jangles his sword. Stalin acts without warning … Exactly where Stalin stands on the question of overthrowing the U.S. Government appears from what he said last year in an address to the American section of the Third International.

” ‘I consider that the Communist Party of the U.S.A. is one of the few Communist Parties to which history has confided decisive tasks from the viewpoint of the world revolutionary movement. The revolutionary crisis … in the United States … is near . . . The American Communist Party must be ready to meet the crisis fully armed to take over the direction of the future class war.’ “

The story pointed out that Stalin, addressing U.S. citizens, did not need to send his own agents to this country to accomplish his purpose. It went on to say: “The last time U.S. Reds were investigated—by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer in 1919—some 5,000 people were arrested and 263 deported . . . Some Congressmen think that to stamp out U.S. Communism now would be a national boon, cheap at any price.”

That story ran 22 years-ago. From the look of the world today, it would seem that many another Communist is destined to reach the cover of TIME.

Cordially yours,

*The count includes Mexican Painter Diego Rivera, Spanish Painter Pablo Picasso (creator of Communism’s “peace” dove, which also became a TIME cover subject), Harry Bridges, convicted of perjury for denying that he was ever a Communist (TIME, April 17, 195°) and avowed U.S. Communists Eugene Dennis, Earl Browder.