NY, Henry Holt, (1997). The uncorrected proof copy in plain blue wrappers (not to be confused with the two more common variants of the beige advance reading copy, of which there were reportedly 500 copies each). This is the first issue blue proof, which leaves out the ampersand from "Mason & Dixon" on the title page. With significant textual variations from both the advance reading copy and the printed book, and as such the most significant printed variant of any Pynchon work ever to appear -- the only one to contain a significantly earlier version of the text than that which was finally published in book form. While the textual variations in the advance reading copy were minor, and could easily have been the work of a copy editor, those evident in this proof would have to have involved Pynchon's assent and his rewriting. We have been told that virtually the entire edition of these proofs was destroyed. Small, faint spot on the front cover, otherwise fine in wrappers. [#033040] SOLD