Mao Zhu Xi Yu Lu [Chinese] ("Quotations of Chairman Mao" commonly called "The Little Red Book").

MAO, Chairman.

Published by General Political Department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army [nd but May, 1964], [China, probably Peking], 1964

About this Item

TP + 1 leaf = Portrait of Chairman Mao + 1-2 = Contents + 1-250; 12 mo. First Edition.Compiled and edited by Tian Xiao Guang, this first edition of the "Quotations of Chairman Mao" is distinguished from all other editions by its size, 5 ?" high, and by the fact that it contains only 30 chapters and ends with page 250. (Later editions are 4?" high, contain 33 chapters and come in a variety of paginations.) It was originally published in very limited numbers for distribution among the top echelons of the Chinese military. The first issue of the book was bound in the printed paper wrappers offered here - while the red vinyl plastic covers, that later became so ubiquitous, were still being printed. This small, succinct and easily portable book of inspirational teachings exploded in popularity and over the next four years, a total of 720 million copies were printed. It has been estimated that overall between 5 and 6½ billion copies of the book were printed during Mao's attempt to reform Chinese society and it is reputed to be the second most printed book in world history - preceded only by the Bible. The book was originally published with an endorsement page written by Mao's longtime comrade-in-arms, Lin Biao, quoting the revolutionary hero, Lei Feng ("Study Chairman Mao's writings, follow his teachings and act according to his instructions"). Lin Biao was primarily responsible for publishing and promoting this book and his career - already extremely successful - was greatly enhanced by his high profile involvement with The Little Red Book. By 1969, Lin Biao had been designated as Mao's official heir and successor by the Ninth Party Congress. But, in late 1971, Lin Biao was suspected in a plot to assassinate Mao and he died when his plane was shot down over Mongolia. Mao subsequently ordered that Lin Biao's memory be effaced in China and that the endorsement page be removed from the millions and millions of extant copies. Since failure to follow this command was interpreted as disloyalty to Mao - an offense that could be fatal during the Cultural Revolution in which this book played such a central role - almost all surviving copies, including this one, do not have that page still in place. Also removed from this copy - as commonly happened following the excision of the Lin Biao endorsement - is the single-line, red-type ("Workers of the World Unite!") half title page that originally preceded the title page along with the two-page "Introduction." Original stapled, printed wrappers with a red field and black lettering to the front cover and red lettering to the spine. The title-page is printed in red and green and is followed by the brown portrait of the young Chairman Mao. All of the text is in Chinese. The covers are lightly soiled, worn and creased - with a small red stain to the upper right edge of the front cover. With occasional soiling stains to the pages - this being an obviously well-read, but equally well-preserved copy of this amazingly important book. PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

Seller Inventory # 472

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Mao Zhu Xi Yu Lu [Chinese] ("Quotations of Chairman Mao" commonly called "The Little Red Book").
• Publisher: General Political Department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army [nd but May, 1964], [China, probably Peking]
• Publication Date: 1964
• Binding: Soft cover
• Edition: FIRST EDITION
• Seller catalogs:
  • Law, Politics & Social Sciences