NY, Viking, (1973). The uncorrected proof copy 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. Gravity's Rainbow became the benchmark for postmodern American fiction upon publication and secured its mysterious and reclusive author's place in the postwar American literary pantheon. Pynchon's identity and whereabouts have consistently remained elusive, and his publications have increasingly tended to be well-guarded secrets up to the moment of publication. For a number of years it was reported that no proofs of Gravity's Rainbow had been done, with Viking itself reportedly having confirmed that; however, in recent decades a number of examples of this massive (760 pages) proof have shown up on the market. Approximately 15 pages marked in the margin, possibly by a reviewer: half in blue pen, half in pink crayon. An additional page marked directly on the text by a far younger reviewer/critic, in purple crayon. Tiny tear near the spine base; spine a bit sunned, obviously read; still a very good copy in wrappers. [#025162] SOLD