Ragnar Redbeard MIGHT IS RIGHT 1927 Orig. Arthur Desmond Hand-Punched Copy + Facsimile

The Holy Grail of Redbeardiana: An Original 1927 "Might is Right"

Offered here is an incredibly rare, authentic copy of the 1927 Edition of Ragnar Redbeard’s Might is Right, published by the legendary Dil Pickle Press of Chicago.

This is not merely a book; it is a primary historical artifact. This specific copy bears the distinct physical hallmark of having been altered and prepared for sale by the author himself, Arthur Desmond.

Unique Provenance & Characteristics

• The Desmond "Four-Leaf" Punch: The publication date has been removed using a unique "four-leaf" hole punch. This was a known idiosyncratic practice of Arthur Desmond, who frequently altered his stock by hand to update publisher information or control distribution.

• Modern Chain of Custody: There are faint pencil notations on the title page. Please note that these are not contemporary to Desmond, but were made by a modern rare book dealer who previously possessed this copy, documenting its recent journey through the rare book trade.

• Vintage Wear: The fragile paperback features a vintage tape rebinding on the spine, a testament to its survival over the last century.

• Production Oddities: The interior is complete and features the famous "out of order" pages unique to this printing, as documented by Kevin I. Slaughter.

• The Final Lifetime Edition: This 1927 Dil Pickle Press printing was the last edition overseen by Desmond before his death in 1929.

BONUS: The 2021 Facsimile Edition Included

To ensure the winning bidder can explore the text without risking further wear to the fragile original, this auction includes a pristine copy of the 2021 Underworld Amusements Facsimile Edition.

About the Facsimile:

• Introduction by Kevin I. Slaughter: Provides essential context on Desmond’s life, from his radical days in New Zealand to the "Step High, Stoop Low" era of the Dil Pickle Club in Chicago.

• Exact Reproduction: Captures the 1927 edition in its "pure, unadulterated fury," including the original layout and the quirky table of contents.

• The Perfect Reference: Use the facsimile as your "reading copy" while the 1927 original sits safely as the centerpiece of your collection.

Historical Significance

Originally published in 1896, Might is Right remains one of the most controversial works of political philosophy ever written. Described as "The Nietzsche of Chicago," Desmond’s work influenced everyone from radical socialists and the IWW to egoists and modern iconoclasts.

“For nearly two hundred pages phrase after phrase descends like a club, bent upon smashing to flinders the church and state at which it is aimed.” – Liberty, October 1933