Kim IL Sung - a Political Biography. Complete in three volumes. 

1970 Guardian first American editions. Credited to author Baik Bong, the books are thought to be collectively written by the Chinese and North Korean governments.

First published in the Korean language in 1968 and 1969. The English language translations were first published in 1969 and 1970, in Japan, under the Miraisha imprint.

The three books offered in this listing are first American editions, with US copyrights and Library of Congress catalog numbers. Kim's three volume biography was published and distributed worldwide under various imprints and languages, including French, Italian, Spanish, and Serbian. Presumably, this worldwide distribution was undertaken in support of "exporting revolution", a priority of the Chinese government in the 1960's and 1970's.

Condition of the three books and dust jackets is Very Good Plus. The books have sound bindings, complete and unmarked inside pages. The dust jackets show only light shelf wear, are not price clipped, and are protected in new mylar covers.

These first American editions under the Guardian imprint are especially uncommon. The Miraisha English language versions are the ones most widely held by world libraries.

The National Guardian was a leftist newspaper, published in New York City between 1948 and 1992. Founded by Cedric Belfrage and James Aronson, the paper was more widely distributed in the 1950's and 1960's. It's anti-war anti-imperialism stance was particularly relevant during the build-up of the Vietnam War. The Guardian primarily published a weekly newspaper, and softcover pamphlets and booklets authored by anti-establishment figures. In the publishing world, it was pretty much a shoestring operation. The only hardcover titles published under the Guardian imprint are these three Kim IL Sung books, and a later book of political theory, credited to Kim IL Sung, published in 1977.

It is safe to assume the Chinese and North Korean governments contributed to financing the publication and distribution of these books in the United States, as the Guardian operated continually under financial straits. The books are collectible both as an artifact of the political and cultural wars with Communism post World War Two (the Red Scare), and as a publishing rarity, hardcover books printed under the Guardian imprint.

Price discounted for inventory reduction..

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