London, Jonathan Cape, (1973). The uncorrected proof copy of the first British edition of Pynchon's landmark third novel, winner of the National Book Award as well as the William Dean Howells Medal for the best work of fiction by an American over a five-year span. Not noted in Mead and in our experience considerably scarcer than even the scarce U.S. proof. This copy belonged to and is signed, in 1974, by Julian Barnes, author of Flaubert's Parrot; England, England; and Arthur & George; among many others. The signature precedes Barnes's first published book by six years. Barnes's bookplate inside front cover; rear cover creased; else fine in a spine-faded near fine proof dust jacket. [#019314] SOLD