Mao zhuxi yulu [Chinese, i.e., Quotations of Chairman Mao] by Mao Tse tung, [Mao Zedong] - May, 1964]

[n.p., probably Beijing: Central Intelligence Bureau of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, May, 1964] First edition, distinguishable from other editions by its slightly larger paper size, by containing thirty chapters and ending at page 250. . In the earliest binding of off-white paper wrappers with front cover printed in black and red, and spine printed in red. . Sixteenmo, with the page size measuring 5 3/8: x 4." . 2 [half-title printed in red with blank verso], [2, title printed in green and red with blank verso], [2, portrait of Mao in brown tones, with blank verso], [2, endorsement leaf by Lin Biao with blank verso], 2 (letterpress introduction), 2 (table of contents, listing 30 chapters), 250 pp. The endorsement leaf is in the earliest state, with the misprint in the second character down of the second vertical row from the right. (See Oliver Han Lei, "How Read is the Little Red Book, in the Antiquarian Book Review, November 2003). Very minor soiling. Ink notation on half-title in Chinese characters. An exceptionally fine copy. This copy contains the Lin Biao's endorsement leaf, with three sentences for the diary of Lei Feng, printed letterpress in calligraphic script. The endorsement leaf is lacking in most copies because of political circumstances. Lin Biao, head of National Defense, had risen in power within the Mao hierarchy and was designated to become Mao's successor. However, rumors surfaced that Lin was planning to assassinate Mao. While never completely proven, they caused Lin to suddenly leave on a military transport for an undisclosed location when their plane was shot down in Mongolia on the evening of September 12, 1971. Subsequently, Mao attempted to eradicate his name from modern history, and the endorsement leaf was ordered to be torn out or defaced in all copies as a sign of loyalty to Mao. Therefore, copies with the endorsement leaf are uncommon, and copies with the endorsement leaf in the first state even scarcer.