$4,148
(Quotations of Chairman Mao, "Little Red Book") Compiled and edited by Tian Xiao Guang. Peking: The Central Intelligence Bureau of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, (1964). 12mo, original white sewn wraps fitting inside flexible plastic red vinyl dust-jacket with embossed title and Red Star to upper cover. First edition, first issue, with half-title printed in red, title printed in green and red, portrait of Chairman Mao in brown ink and Lin Biao's calligraphic endorsement ("Study Chairman Mao's writings, follow his teachings and act according to his instructions") in black ink. Second binding, simultaneously printed with copies in first paper wrappers, but the vinyl took longer to produce and was thus released shortly after. It is the second most printed book in history, only after the Bible, with an estimated five-billion copies produced in more than 100 languages in the past forty-five years. The present copy retains the rare one-page endorsement by Lin Bao. Having been accused of plotting to assassinate Mao Tze-Tung, Lin Bao, the former Vice-Chairman of the CCP, was declared a national traitor and individuals were strongly encouraged to tear out his endorsement from copies of Mao's Thus, first editions, such as the present copy, that retain the endorsement are exceedingly rare. Some very minor toning to endpapers; otherwise an exceptionally fine copy with no visible defects.
Auctioneer:
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers
Date:
2011-04-05
