E-list # 184

NY, Harcourt, (2001). An advance reading excerpt, printing three stories from the book. Fine in stapled wrappers. [#915287] $21

NY, Vintage Books, (1973). The uncorrected proof copy of this anthology of poetry by Native Americans, including Eskimos, Hawaiians, Chicanos and Puerto Ricans. Edited and introduced by poet Walter Lowenfels, with additional introductions by Simon Ortiz and Gloria Truvido. Other contributors include James Welch, Joseph Bruchac, Gerald Vizenor, Robert J. Conley, Duane Niatum, Gladys Cardiff, and Besmilr Brigham, among many others. Published as a paperback original, even the first edition is uncommon. An early proof in what became the "Native American Renaissance," presenting a multicultural view of American literature. This copy, though unmarked, is from Lowenfels' estate. Minor edge sunning; near fine in wrappers. [#034642] $200

London, Cassell, [1932]. The uncorrected proof copy of Mackenzie's suppressed memoir of his time working for MI6, the British intelligence service, during WWI; the book was withdrawn on the day of publication as a violation of the Official Secrets Act. and Mackenzie was prosecuted and fined. In the book he revealed the existence of the SIS (Secret Intelligence Service) and was critical of particular individuals. He was later placed on MI5's watch list, and his activities were monitored by the British domestic intelligence service. An edited version of Greek Memories was published in 1939. Mackenzie was knighted in 1952. Spine slant; initials to rear cover; staining and bookstore (?) label to front cover; good in wrappers. Few copies of the 1932 edition survived; proof copies are especially uncommon. [#027408] SOLD

NY, Random House, (2000). The uncorrected proof copy. Fine in wrappers. [#913643] $21

[NY], Farrar, Straus & Giroux, [1979]. A proof copy of the dust jacket (jacket only, no book) for this Malamud novel, printing the front cover and spine only, with the title in a pale green that was later changed to yellow. Together with a copy of the finished jacket, with the yellow lettering, author photo and flap text. Each folded flat, else fine. [#019698] SOLD

NY, Pantheon, (1996). The advance reading copy. Signed by the author. Fine in wrappers. [#913645] $35

NY, Fawcett Columbine, (1993). The uncorrected proof copy. Spots to front cover; near fine in wrappers. [#913657] $21

NY, Doubleday, (1993). The advance reading copy. Fine in wrappers. [#913286] $21

(NY), HarperCollins, (1993). The advance reading copy. Fine in wrappers. [#916471] SOLD

(London), Picador, (2003). The advance reading copy of the British edition. Fine in wrappers. [#914544] $35

(NY), Dutton, (1993). The advance reading copy. Fine in wrappers. [#913294] $21

(Springfield), Gauntlet, (1999). The advance reading copy. Stamp of another author on specifications page, faint foxing to top edge; else fine in wrappers. [#031027] SOLD

Washington, D.C., National Geographic, (2003). The advance reading copy of this account of a trip through the islands surrounding Antarctica on a research vessel. An uncommon advance copy, this being from the author's own library. Covers rubbed; near fine in wrappers. [#033202] SOLD

London, Heinemann, (1962). The uncorrected proof copy of the first British edition of his third novel. Signed by the author. Matthiessen was one of the very few authors who has won the National Book Award for both fiction and nonfiction. His novel after this one, At Play in the Fields of the Lord, a National Book Award nominee, represented a significant jump from this book in terms of literary accomplishment. The book prior to this, Wildlife in America, started him on the path toward becoming one of our most highly regarded writers of natural history. This short novel, a tale of the sea that is reminiscent of Conrad, dates from an early period in Matthiessen's career and is uncommon even in the U.S. trade edition. This is the only copy of the British proof we have handled. Spine-sunned, else fine in wrappers. [#015912] SOLD

Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 1989. The uncorrected proof copy. From Matthiessen's library and including his contribution from The Wind Birds. Spine-sunned; very good in wrappers. [#032416] SOLD

NY, Random House, (1982). The uncorrected proof copy. From the library of Peter Matthiessen and with his markings and a few notes in the text and on the rear cover, and with the author's address written in a different hand on the "About the Author" page. Several of Matthiessen's annotations mark passages referring to legendary Sioux leader Crazy Horse; Matthiessen's book about the Wounded Knee siege, In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, was published the previous year. Very good in wrappers. [#032410] SOLD

NY, Knopf, 1971. The uncorrected proof copy of his first book of nonfiction, a personal essay and reminiscence. Maxwell is best known for his highly acclaimed fiction, both novels and short stories, and also for being the fiction editor of The New Yorker for nearly 40 years. A fragile, padbound proof in tall wrappers. A few marginal pencil marks. Missing the rear cover, thus only good. [#028861] SOLD

London, Gollancz, (2017). The advance reading copy of McAuley's science fiction novel of a genetically-edited woman hiding out with a hostage in the newly established Antarctic Peninsula, in a world where the climate has changed dramatically faster than the politics of power, ethnicity or gender. Signed by McAuley. Fine in wrappers, with an announcement for the book signing laid in. [#033888] $100

NY, Ballantine, (1985). First Ballantine edition. Inscribed by the author. Recipient's stamp inside the front cover. Foxing to top edge, 1/4" chip at upper outer front cover. Very good in wrappers. Together with an advance reading excerpt of the novel as published by Holt Rinehart and Winston in 1984, which is near fine in stapled wrappers. [#031034] SOLD

NY, Knopf, 1994. The uncorrected proof copy of the sequel to All the Pretty Horses, and the second novel in The Border Trilogy. Fine in wrappers. [#911683] SOLD

St. Paul, Graywolf, (2000). The advance reading copy. Fine in wrappers. [#915317] $21

London, Jonathan Cape, (2002). The advance reading copy of the British edition. Marked "Uncorrected Proof." Signed by the author. Fine in wrappers. [#914553] $30

(NY), Dial Press, (2001). The uncorrected proof copy, marked "Advance Reading Copy," in cream colored wrappers with the cover art bound in. Signed by the author. Fine. [#914552] $35

NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (2006). The advance reading copy. Signed by the author. Fine in wrappers. [#915319] SOLD

NY, Grove Press, (2002). The uncorrected proof copy of the 17 year-old author's first book. Fine in wrappers. [#915321] $30

NY, Grove Press, (2002). The uncorrected proof copy of his first book. Signed by the 17 year-old author. Fine in wrappers. [#915322] $50

NY, Knopf, 1974. The uncorrected proof copy. Inscribed by the author. Fine in wrappers. [#005327] SOLD

Guilford, Lyons Press, (2002). The uncorrected proof copy. Small shadow (sticker removal?) front cover; else fine in wrappers. [#913307] $21

NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (1980). The uncorrected proof copy of this collection of essays on sport, particularly hunting and fishing. Signed by the author. Fine in wrappers. [#911709] SOLD

NY, Knopf, 2006. The uncorrected proof copy of this collection of stories. Fine in wrappers. [#911749] $21

Boston, Houghton Mifflin, (1989). The advance reading copy. Signed by the author. Spine-sunned, else fine in wrappers. [#911723] SOLD

NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (1978). The second issue uncorrected proof copy. Signed by the author. Reviewer (?) name on front cover; crease to rear cover; near fine in light gray wrappers. [#911706] SOLD

NY, Random House, (1984). The uncorrected proof copy. Signed by the author. Fine in wrappers. [#911714] SOLD

NY, Knopf, 2002. The advance reading copy of the British edition. Fine in wrappers. [#911744] $40

NY, Dutton, (1986). A limited advance reading excerpt, printing only the title story. One of 250 copies printed. Signed by McGuane. Fine in stapled wrappers. [#911718] $60

NY, Dutton, (1986). The uncorrected proof copy of this collection of stories. Signed by the author. Trace sunning to spine; still fine in wrappers. [#911717] SOLD

London, Phoenix House, (2000). The uncorrected proof copy. Scuff to front cover; near fine in wrappers, in near fine mock dust jacket. [#913663] $21

(NY), Simon & Schuster, 2002. An advance copy in the form of tapebound photocopied typescript, reproducing the author's corrections. 501 double-spaced pages, printed on both sides. Fine in cardstock covers. [#913323] SOLD

NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (2017). The advance reading copy of this collection of essays on writing, specifically on writing long-form nonfiction. McPhee practically single-handedly invented the genre of Creative or Literary Nonfiction in the 1960s, with his profiles and other long pieces written for The New Yorker. Since then he has, in addition to writing, taught a course in writing at Princeton, and been a mentor to several generations of young writers. His own writing both illuminates the subjects he takes on, and also expands the range of journalism and reporting by virtue of his approach to his subject. A bit crunched at the spine; very good in wrappers. [#033599] SOLD

NY, Random House, (1997). The uncorrected proof copy of the highly praised first novel by John McPhee's daughter. Signed by Martha McPhee. Fine in wrappers. [#915355] SOLD

NY, Simon and Schuster, 1952. The uncorrected proof copy, in the form of stringbound galleys, of this "Dastard's Handbook to Fame and Fortune," a bestselling satire based on Mead's rise from the mailroom to a vice presidency at the advertising agency Benton and Bowles. Adapted by Frank Loesser and Abe Burrows into the musical that would have three runs on Broadway, over four decades, with more than 2400 performances, earning nine Tony Awards, including one for Best Musical in its first run, 1961-1965, when it also won the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Also the basis for the 1967 film. This proof has textual differences from the published book on, at least, the final page. Also, the cover has "Sheperd" hand-corrected to "Shepherd," as well as editorial notations. Tall (7" x 12"), stringbound galleys, printed on rectos only, with a back cover of cardboard. Small corner chip and a corner crease to the front cover; stray pen marks there; still near fine. Rare. [#034619] SOLD

NY, Morrow, (1991). The uncorrected proof copy. Signed by the author. Fine in wrappers. [#913327] SOLD

NY, Riverhead, (2009). The uncorrected proof copy of the author's fourth book, second collection of stories, which was selected by the New York Times as one of the ten best books of the year, in all categories. Meloy's first collection won a PEN/Malamud Award, and Granta named her one of the 21 "Best Young American Novelists" in 2007. Fine in wrappers. [#031454] SOLD

NY, Knopf, 1997. The uncorrected proof copy, in printed blue wrappers, of the first American edition of this Canadian poet's highly acclaimed and bestselling first novel, winner of the Trillium Book Award, the Chapters/Books in Canada First Novel Award, the Orange Prize for Fiction, the City of Toronto Book Award, the Guardian Fiction Award, the Lannan Literary Award for Fiction, the Jewish Quarterly Prize for Fiction, and a number of other awards. Fine, with promotional material stapled inside the front cover. [#915366] $35

NY, Knopf, 1997. The advance reading copy (marked "Uncorrected Proof') of the first American edition of this Canadian poet's highly acclaimed and bestselling first novel, winner of the Trillium Book Award, the Chapters/Books in Canada First Novel Award, the Orange Prize for Fiction, the City of Toronto Book Award, the Guardian Fiction Award, the Lannan Literary Award for Fiction, the Jewish Quarterly Prize for Fiction, and a number of other awards. Fine in wrappers. [#915365] SOLD

(Toronto), McClelland & Stewart, (1996). An advance copy, in the form of comb-bound galleys, typeset but reproducing several holograph corrections. Her third book, first novel, which was first published in Canada, and only in wrappers. Winner of the Orange Prize for Fiction, the Guardian Prize for Fiction, the Books in Canada First Novel Award and the Trillium Prize. Signed by the author. 9" x 11". Fine. [#915362] $650

NY, Talese/Doubleday, (1993). The uncorrected proof copy. Stray pen mark to foredge; else fine in wrappers. [#915373] $21

(London), Sceptre, (1998). The advance reading copy. Signed by the author. Fine in wrappers. [#913329] $30

(London), Sceptre/(Hodder & Stoughton), (1997). The uncorrected proof copy of his first novel. Signed by the author. Fingerprints to glossy cover; else fine in wrappers. [#915374] $30

(London), Sceptre/(Hodder & Stoughton), (2001). The advance reading copy. Signed by the author. Fine in wrappers. [#915376] $35

NY, Harper & Row, (1989/1990). The advance reading copy. Fine in wrappers. [#915379] $21

(NY), HarperCollins, (1993). The advance reading copy. Fine in wrappers. [#915380] $21

NY, Crown, (1999). The uncorrected proof copy. Rubbing to spine folds; near fine in wrappers. [#915392] $21

NY, Poseidon, (1993). The advance reading copy of this collection of three novellas. Fine in wrappers. [#914564] $21

NY, Crown, (1996). The uncorrected proof copy of his sixth book, winner of the Pulitzer Prize. One lower corner crease, else fine in wrappers, with four pages of promotional material laid in. [#915389] $40

NY, Knopf, 1977. The uncorrected proof copy of the second novel by the author of Edwin Mullhouse and the Pulitzer Prize winner, Martin Dressler. Small crack in wrapper at the lower spine; light overall dust soiling; near fine in tall wrappers. [#008233] SOLD

NY, Poseidon Press, (1990). The uncorrected proof copy of his fifth book, a collection of stories. Price, publication date and initials to front cover; else fine in very slightly spine-sunned wrappers. [#915386] $21

NY, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, (1982). The uncorrected proof copy of the first American edition of this collection of essays by the Nobel Prize winner. Fine in tall wrappers. [#017905] SOLD

Boston/NY, Houghton Mifflin, 2000. The advance reading copy, in pictorial wrappers, of the first American edition of this highly praised personal account of coming of age in Communist China during the years of the Cultural Revolution. Fine and Signed by the author. Together with the publisher's press packet and also together with the transcript of an Oregon Public Broadcasting interview of Min by Profiles host Mel Waggoner: the transcript prints Waggoner's parts only. [#915399] SOLD

NY, St. Martin's, 1992. The uncorrected proof copy of this collection of stories and poems from 1961 to 1991. An earlier limited edition by Rydal Press printed a portion of this collection. Signed by the author. Publicist's card stapled inside the front cover; fine in wrappers. [#025624] SOLD

(n.p.), Little Brown, (n.d.). An advance excerpt of the American edition. Prints only the title story. Signed by the author. Fine in stapled wrappers. [#911761] $80

Boston, Little Brown, (1997). The advance reading copy. Signed by the author. Fine in wrappers. [#911770] $21

Santa Monica, Danger Books, (1999). Virtually a novella in the form of a book dealer's catalog. Moody has created a hilarious and touching self-contained world where the values accorded to the items for sale (dollars) and the values inherent in them (significance, artistry, passion) are in running comic contrast. Moody has his tongue in his cheek but also his heart on his sleeve; many of the entries embody a sensitivity and tenderness surprising in such a send-up. An effective, even haunting riff on rare book catalogs. The trade edition consisted of 1000 copies in wrappers: 300 numbered and signed and 700 unsigned. This is the uncorrected proof copy. Apparently identical to the trade edition but with "Uncorrected Proof" printed on the front cover. Given the sophistication of the production and producers, probably a cleverly marketed print overrun rather than a true proof. Fine in wrappers and signed by Moody. [#911773] $35

NY, Knopf, 1998. The advance reading copy of this collection of short fiction. One of these stories was the O. Henry Award winner. Shallow crease to rear cover; else fine in wrappers. [#913669] $21

Boston, Godine, (1979). The uncorrected proof copy of her first book, a collection of stories that won an award from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters. Spine and lower rear panel abraded from label removal; still about near fine in wrappers. Signed by the author. [#006530] SOLD

(NY), (Viking), (2006). Two volumes: signed copies of both the advance reading copy and the first printing of the first edition. The first edition is signed by Mortenson; the advance reading copy is signed by both Mortenson and David Relin. Textual differences exist between the advance copy and the first edition. An inspirational, then infamous, account of Mortenson's quest to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan in response to kindnesses bestowed on him by locals while he was lost in Pakistan after an unsuccessful ascent of K2, a quest that led to his founding the Central Asia Institute and to an ongoing effort that has resulted in the building of hundreds of schools. The hardcover edition sold only 20,000 copies; the paperback sold over four million copies in more than 40 countries and stayed on The New York Times bestseller list for more than four years, until, in 2011, author Jon Krakauer revealed on 60 Minutes that Mortenson and Relin had taken liberties with the narrative and, in Mortenson's case, liberties with his financial relationship to the Central Asia Institute. The first edition is signed by Mortenson, who has added the word "Peace!" The advance reading copy is signed by Mortenson and by Relin, who at one point claimed sole authorship of the book, saying it was published with Mortenson as co-author over his objections. Relin committed suicide the year after the controversy broke. The advance reading copy has a mild corner tap and slight cover splaying and is very near fine. The first edition is fine in a fine dust jacket, with a ticket and a program for a Mortenson reading (of the sequel, Stones Into Schools) laid in. Each book has a custom clamshell case. A bestselling story of a Nobel Peace Prize-nominated attempt to achieve peace through education, flawed only by its being more inspirational than true. Note: proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Room To Read, an unassociated organization of similar vision. [#032663] SOLD

NY, Knopf, 1993. An advance reading excerpt printing the first three chapters. Fine in stapled wrappers. [#913365] $21

NY, Knopf, 1996. The uncorrected proof copy of the American edition. Small faint spot to rear cover; very near fine in wrappers. [#912685] $35

NY, Kodansha, (1994). The advance reading copy of the first American edition of Murakami's third novel and fourth book to be published in English. Fine in wrappers. [#915438] $80

Boston/NY, Houghton Mifflin, 2002. The advance reading copy. Fine in wrappers. [#913372] $21

(NY), Delacorte, (1992). The advance reading copy. Fine in wrappers. [#915442] $21

(London), Picador, (2001). The signed limited uncorrected proof of the British edition, according to the cover text, although this copy is not signed. Long, shallow vertical crease to cover, else fine in wrappers. [#018992] SOLD

(London), Picador, (2001). The advance reading copy. Fine in wrappers. [#018692] $45

NY, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, (1972). The uncorrected proof copy of this long poem based on the life and death of a Chilean highwayman in California in the 1850s. Bilingual edition. Near fine in tall wrappers, with a near fine copy of the dust jacket. [#019261] SOLD

NY, Dutton, 1970. Folded and gathered sheets of his fourth book and first of nonfiction, a memoir of his political awakening in the late 1950s and early 1960s, which led to an active involvement in the Civil Rights movement and the movement against the war in Vietnam. Inscribed by the author in 1976. Fine, partially stapled into a very good dust jacket. Neugeboren has more recently written more nonfiction, recounting his brother's battle with mental illness and his own experience of open heart surgery: both received extensive critical praise. [#012941] SOLD

San Francisco, Chronicle Books, (2001). The uncorrected proof copy. Fine in wrappers. [#911791] SOLD

(Thetford), Self-Published, (2001). The uncorrected proof copy, published by Nichols himself in an edition of 100 copies. Inscribed by the author to Peter Matthiessen and with an autograph note signed laid in, written across the top of a photocopied letter to friends about the writing of the work. This proof covers "Part One - Revised" and "Beginning Part Two." As best as we can tell, Simple Gifts remains unpublished. Nichols died in 2010. The Vermont author was a neighbor and friend of Grace Paley and of Peter Schumann, the founder and director of the Bread and Puppet Theater. The letter is folded and near fine; the proof is fine in wrappers. [#032506] $185

(n.p.), Crown, (2000/2001). An advance copy, in the form of a tapebound typscript (computer printout, double-spaced, double-sided). Laid in is a typed letter signed from Nicosia to Peter Matthiessen, requesting a quote from him to use as publicity. Nicosia also says he would like to talk to him about a future book, about Mumia Abu-Jamal "and the war on people of color that is being waged by our justice system." Quotes from other writers about Home to War have been laid in as well. Small tape repair lower spine; near fine in an acetate cover. [#032128] $45

Chapel Hill, Algonquin Books, (2000). An advance reading excerpt. Fine in stapled wrappers. [#913382] SOLD

Chapel Hill, Algonquin Books, 1997. The advance reading copy. Signed by the author. Patches of blue ink (same color as the cover) on the foredge; else fine in wrappers. [#913677] SOLD

Chapel Hill, Algonquin Books, 1993. The advance reading copy (marked "Advance Uncorrected Proof"). Fine in wrappers. [#915446] $21

(NY), Dutton, (1993). The advance reading copy. Mystery. Fine in wrappers. [#915448] $21

NY, Vanguard, (1976). The uncorrected proof copy. Fine in tall wrappers. A scarce and fragile issue. [#020450] SOLD

(Hopewell), Ecco Press, (1992). The uncorrected proof copy of this collection of short stories. Unmarked, but from the library of Philip Caputo. Slight wear to covers; near fine in wrappers. [#033942] SOLD

NY, Norton, (1995). The uncorrected proof copy of the first American edition of this nonfiction overview of life in the 18th century British navy, intended in part as a companion volume to his Aubrey/Maturin series. Small thin quarto, heavily illustrated (although the proof reproductions are of poor quality). One slight corner crease; else fine in wrappers. [#014909] $40

NY, Perfect Crime/Doubleday, (1992). The uncorrected proof copy of this suspense novel. Fine in wrappers. [#915452] $21

(London), Flamingo, (2002). The uncorrected proof copy of the British edition. Fine in wrappers. [#911820] $35

NY, Knopf, 1985. The uncorrected proof copy of his fourth novel, about a man compelled to dig a bomb shelter in his back yard to protect his family even if it means losing them in the process. Paperclip mark inside front cover; publicity material laid in that was previously stapled to front cover; near fine in wrappers. [#020469] SOLD

NY, Broadway Books, (1998). The uncorrected proof copy, in white wrappers. Much scarcer than the advance reading copy in pictorial wrappers. Signed by the author in the year of publication. Fine in wrappers. [#911810] $150
On Sale: $98

NY, Knopf, 2014. The advance reading copy of Offill's second novel, a "sparse," "experimental" portrait of a marriage that made the New York Times' list of top ten books of 2014. Fine in wrappers. Uncommon in the advance issue. [#031474] SOLD

(Castle Rock), Bella Luna, (1992). An apparently never-produced limited edition of Offutt's first book, which was a collection of stories published in 1992 as a paperback original in the Vintage Contemporaries series. Offered here are copyedited, typeset sheets: one full set (140 pages) and five partial sets (approximately 270 pages). 8-1/2" x 11" sheets, printed on rectos only, with copyeditor's marks throughout. Offutt's book received high praise from critics; on the strength of it and his 1993 memoir, The Same River Twice, he was named one of the "20 best young American writers" by Granta magazine in 1996. A few marks where rubber bands once lay; near fine, in manuscript box. Presumably unique. [#915763] SOLD

NY, Vintage, (1988). The advance reading copy of his second book which, like his first, was issued as a paperback original in the Vintage Contemporaries series. Bound together back-to-back with Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons, the paperback reprint of her highly praised first novel. Fine in wrappers. [#916632] SOLD

NY, Henry Holt, (1999). The advance reading copy. Fine in wrappers. [#911832] $30

NY, Grove, (2001). The advance reading copy. Signed by the author. Fine in wrappers. [#911835] $21

NY, Doubleday, (1994). The advance reading copy of his second book, first novel. Winner of the 1993 Pirates Alley William Faulkner Prize for the Novel. Inscribed by the author: "For ___, this cold, cold book. Stay warm!" Fine in wrappers. [#030018] $85

NY, Doubleday, (1997). The advance reading copy. A novel, originally to have been called "Dear Stephen King." Signed by the author. Fine in wrappers. [#911827] $35

NY, Knopf, 2000. The uncorrected proof copy of the American edition. Signed by the author. This is the second state, which is smaller than the first state, approximately 5-5/8" x 8-3/8" and, among other format changes, has the cover art bound in. Fine in wrappers. [#911859] $50

Seattle, Broken Moon Press, (1993). The advance reading copy. Winner of the 1983 Western States Book Award for Fiction. Fine in wrappers. [#915455] $21

NY, Harcourt Brace, (1952). An advance reading copy of the first American edition of Orwell's personal account of the Spanish Civil War, in which he was wounded. When the book was first published, in England in 1938, Orwell's careful account of the manner in which the Spanish Communists betrayed the Republic, with whom they were nominally allied, contradicted the leftist orthodoxy of the day and the book was largely ignored. This edition, published posthumously in 1952, includes an introduction by Lionel Trilling that didn't appear in the British edition and which puts Orwell's sympathies, and his political transformation, in context. Unbound signatures, with the publisher's label on the front flyleaf, stating "Advance Copy," and noting, by hand, the release date (May 22) and the price of $3.50. The front and rear panels of the original jacket are present, and we have supplied a second jacket, but it too is losing its spine. Near fine in a fair dust jacket. Very scarce. [#033484] SOLD

(NY), New American Library, (1966). The uncorrected proof copy of her first book, one of a handful of literary first novels published by NAL during the mid-60s, including John Gardner's The Resurrection and William Gass's Omensetter's Luck. Tall, comb-bound galley sheets. Laid in is a letter sent by editor David Segal to author John Barth, sending him "yet another first novel" and requesting "the pleasure of reading your opinion," as it appears Barth had made it clear that he would not be offering "a quotable quote." A noteworthy letter: Segal took over the newly founded hardcover publishing branch of New American Library, which previously had specialized in paperback publishing only -- notably the Signet and Mentor imprints, which reprinted classics and bestsellers. Segal immediately began publishing literary fiction by young, unknown writers, and in the course of a couple of years introduced William Gass, John Gardner, Michael Shaara, Alice Adams and Cynthia Ozick to the world, all of whom went on to become major American authors. It's a bit surprising that Barth would have been averse to providing a "quotable quote" for the likes of these, but apparently that was the case. This copy is signed by Barth on the first page and with his address stamp on the front cover. Ozick's name was left off the cover and has been added in ink. Mild sunning and curling to the covers; small tear at upper spine; about near fine. A very scarce proof of an important first book, and a copy with exceptionally interesting provenance. [#031477] SOLD