Gravity's Rainbow
"Among American writers of the second half of the 20th century, Pynchon is the undisputed candidate for lasting literary greatness. This book is why." -Richard Lacayo, Time 100 Best Novels, 1923 to the Present
LEGENDARY PYNCHON RARITIES: The uncorrected proof and unbound signatures for Pynchon's masterpiece, Gravity's Rainbow, one of the most celebrated works of modern literature.
"Pynchon’s Gravity’s Rainbow (1973) is a tour de force in 20th-century literature. In exploring the dilemmas of human beings in the modern world, the story, which is set in an area of post-World War II Germany called 'the Zone,' centres on the wanderings of an American soldier who is one of many odd characters looking for a secret V-2 rocket that will supposedly break through the Earth’s gravitational barrier when launched. The narrative is filled with descriptions of obsessive and paranoid fantasies, ridiculous and grotesque imagery, and esoteric mathematical and scientific language. For his efforts Pynchon received the National Book Award, and many critics deemed Gravity’s Rainbow a visionary, apocalyptic masterpiece" (Britannica).
Marked "Confidential" on the cover, the uncorrected proof is famously rare: Viking once confirmed that no proofs had been made; in recent years, however, a handful have surfaced and it is estimated that there are perhaps a dozen in circulation.
The unbound signatures, however, are in a different category of scarceness. Issued by the book’s printers at The Colonial Press of Clinton, Massachusetts and sent to Viking Press in January 1973 in advance of the proof, these signatures are a form of "pre-proof" proof that would have been checked for errors and possibly used for revisions prior to the actual printing of the proof. It is likely only two or three were produced.
Provenance: Although there are no markings to indicate it, anecdotally the proof and signatures originated from the holdings of Pynchon's editor Ray Roberts.
New York: Viking Press, (1973).
Proof: Octavo, original printed blue wrappers. Ink notations for date (Feb 28) and price. Some white spots on front cover, a touch of fading at extremities and spine. The number "26" written in ink at the top. The wrappers are particularly prone to fading and other copies we have seen have been very significantly faded. Text fine.
Unbound signatures: Octavo, sewn gatherings with exposed stitching and plain card top sheet. “1/28/73 – 12/19/72” written in pencil in an unknown hand on top sheet, blank white rectangular label at base of top sheet. "2/73 - 15.00 cloth 4.95 paper" written in pencil on title page. Text fine.
Housed in matching half-morocco boxes with chemises.
THE EXCEEDINGLY RARE EARLIEST FORMS OF ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT NOVELS OF THE 20TH CENTURY.
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