Home › Randolph, John. Marsmen in Burma (Signed Limited Ed.) Houston, TX: 1946.
John Randolph. Marsmen in Burma (Signed Limited Ed.) Houston, TX: Self published, 1946. Limited Edition. Signed by Author.
Binding: Hardcover. Illustrator: Mark Storm. Book Condition: Very Good+ Condition. Dust Jacket Condition: Good+. Size: 9" -11" - Small Quarto (Sm. 4to). 229 pages. Item Type: Book.
A collectible copy of a scarce Word War II unit history issued as "a limited signed edition because it was originally planned only to be printed for sale to Marsmen" (from the front flap). It is marked as copy 1347 and signed by the author on the limitation page at the front of the book.
From the front flap: "'Marsmen' were the men of the Mars Task Force, a little publicized brigade which was organized in Burma in 1944, to fight jungles and Japs behind the enemy lines." "They story of the Marsmen might be the last of its kind in the annals of warfare. They trekked as Genghis Kahn's men did -- through heavy jungles and over precipitous mountain trails. Portage was by the strong back of determined men, Missouri mules and native horses."
"The Mars Task Force was comprised on the Texas National Guard, 124th Cavalry (Horse, but dismounted), the 475th Infantry (remnants of Merrill's Marauders and 'casual' replacements), two mule-pack field artillery battalions, pack troops, portable surgical hospitals ('ported' by horses), etc."
Hardback bound in brown textured cloth over boards with brown title and head of a mule on the front cover and spine. Minimal shelf wear. Corners are sharp (although the rear bottom corner has taken a bump). No foxing in this copy.
The text block is tight, bright and unmarked. Mark Storm's "Map of March Route and Battle Areas of the Mars Task Force" is on the end papers and his full page map of the "Scene of Mars Task Force Battles on the Burma Road" faces p. 145. He has also provided small illustrations throughout the book, primarily on the first page of a chapter.
In addition to Storm's illustrations and maps, there are two leaves (4 pp.) of color plates on coated stock between the Introduction and Part I. There are brown spots in the outside edges of pages 2 and 3, which are the only spots that appear in the book. There is also an extensive 64 page collection of black and white photos printed on coated stock at the rear of the book.
The page edges are generally clean, neat and free of foxing, though they are slightly darkened from age and exposure and there is a bit of a smudge at the lower left corner of the side page edges.
The unclipped ($6.50) green plain paper dust jacket has a dark brown title, picture of a mule's head, bamboo decoration down the left side and notation "Limited Signed Edition" on the front panel and title with mule's head on the spine, which is slightly sun-faded. The coating is heavily worn at the folds. The head and foot of the spine are tattered with some loss. There are chips at the top and bottom of the folds for the flaps. A 2" tear along the bottom of the fold for the front flap and 1 1/2" tear along the top of the fold for the rear flap have been repaired with archival tape to stabilize the jacket. A 3/8" hole on the front fold of the spine has been closed and repaired with archival tape, as well. The dust jacket is now protected in a clear archival Brodart cover.
Illustrator: Mark Storm. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: 1 lb 10 oz. Category: Military & Warfare; World War II, 1939-1945 -- Regimental histories -- United States; World War II, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Burma; United States. Army. Mars Task Force; United States; 1940s; ISBN: No ISBN. Inventory No: 1206.