$2,000
(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 cream wrappers printed in red and black. First edition, with half-title printed in red, title printed in green and red, sepia-toned portrait of Chairman Mao, and Lin Biao's calligraphic endorsement ("Study Chairman Mao's writings, follow his teachings and act according to his instructions") in black ink. First issue binding, simultaneously printed with copies in the red vinyl binding. It is the second most frequently printed book in history, 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 that retain the endorsement, such as the present copy, are exceedingly rare. Light soiling and marginal chipping to wrappers with some loss to upper left corner of rear wrapper; contemporary inscription in pink ink to half-title; toning to edges of endpapers.
Auctioneer:
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers
Date:
2015-05-07
