Description:

MAO ZEDONG - 'QUOTATIONS', FIRST EDITION, FIRST STATE
Very rare edition of Mao Zedong's 'Quotations of Chairman Mao' [n.p., n.d., probably Beijing, Central Intelligence Bureau of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, ca. May 1964]. First edition, first state of Chairman Mao's 'Little Red Book,' after the Bible the most printed text in the world. 250pp. 16mo., in cardboard, in full red vinyl textured plastic, incised with the title and a star, a separate protective jacket where stiff cardboard covers are within. A bit of foxing, and presumed owner's signature on inside front cover, else very good. This first state, of which around 50,000-60,0000 copies were printed, was never intended for sale, but issued to members of the military as inspirational reading. It is only in the variant b that the well-known red vinyl plastic cover first appeared. It is said that the red vinyl copies were printed at the same time to be a sturdier version. The paper wrappers were meant to be distributed to high-ranking officers while the red vinyl copies were meant for use by brigade teams of up to eight men. The red vinyl became iconic and associated with the Cultural Revolution. Both paper and red vinyl versions were printed simultaneously, and in fact there is: '...a very rare issue found only in the red vinyl edition where a text error occurs at pages 82/83...' ('The New Antiquarian' A.B.A.A. Oct. 30, 2014'). Our copy does not include the expected errata sheet - instead, a previous owner carefully corrected the error using white paint and a fine black in. When it was revealed in September of 1971 that Lin Biao's family had been planning the assassination of Mao, their plane was shot down over Inner Mongolia and the people were asked to tear out the endorsement leaf by Vice-Chairman Lin which appeared in all 'Little Red Books' up to that time, to eradicate his name from modern history. Our copy still includes Lin Biao's endorsement. Some foxing to the front and rear flyleaves, very slight rippling and discoloring to the inside of the vinyl covers, else very good condition.

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August 16, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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$100 $499 $20
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$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000