Book shelf: Advance copy of Grisham novel rare

Lisa Newman
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Watch out for “A Painted House” by John Grisham. New York: Random House, 2001.

If you spend too much time wandering around bookstores, you may come across a plain looking version of a book labeled uncorrected proof or advance reader copy. Despite their generic appearance, the original intent of these editions is to help generate buzz around a book before the book even goes on sale. Advance copies may be sent to news media, book reviewers, booksellers and librarians. For these professionals, advance copies may pile up in the desks rather quickly and unthinkingly. If a book becomes a great success, however, an uncorrected proof or advance copy can become highly sought after by collectors. One reason is that such a limited number of advance copies were printed and another reason is that the proof may differ slightly from the final publication.

Someone who collects uncorrected proofs reveals a particular connection to an author, his or her story, or that time in publication history. Here are some examples of proofs that have become collectible over the years: “In Cold Blood” by Truman Capote (1965), “Love in the Time of Cholera” by Gabriel García Márquez (1988), and “Lancelot” by Walker Percy (1977). It takes a keener eye to look out for more contemporary proofs like the debut of “A Time Traveler’s Wife” by Audrey Niffenegger (2003) or “A Painted House” by John Grisham. Released in 2001, a proof of Grisham’s “A Painted House” is significant in that it was his first work outside the legal thriller genre, a coming-of-age story set in rural Arkansas and likely influenced by the writing style of Willie Morris. Finding the proofs signed or getting them signed renders them rare indeed.

In publishing jargon, a proof is the preliminary iteration of a book, intended for a limited audience. Its purpose is to allow for final edits. The proofs can also help to build and maintain buzz about a book before its official release date, generate some early reviews and have potential readers eager to get their hands on the title. A galley proof or uncorrected proof may still have errors or areas open to change. It is generally bound differently than the final product, often only spiral-bound, and missing much of the polish of the eventual published version, opting instead for plain, often coarse paper. Inclusion of proposed publication information (date, price, etc.) can also be included. Usually the proof consists of text only, and is devoid of any art or illustration that may be present in the final published version.

If a book is successful and does well upon final publication, or if it goes out-of-print early but develops a fan base or cult following, an uncorrected proof can become a valuable prize for collectors.

Part of the appeal is their scarcity, and the fact that they will sometimes have slightly different text from the final piece.

We’ve found some of the rarest and best uncorrected proof copies available for sale, below, from Charles Bukowski and Truman Capote to the highly sought-after early proofs of everyone’s favorite boy wizard, and many more.

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