FIRST LIGHT. [UK,Uncorrected Proof copy.]

UK,8vo wraps ('C' format p/b),Uncorrected Proof copy. [Publication date April,1989. Often of limited availability,the text of a forthcoming book,is printed and bound in softcovers for use by the author,editors, proofreaders and some favoured reviewers.For undecorated printed wraps,with minimal publication data imprinted - the produced/released number of copies would almost certainly be less than 500,and most probably would tend to be around 200 copies. For glossy pictorial illustrated wrappers, produced numbers are often higher than 200,but either have a scarcity to them. Often errors or earlier versions of text appear in these proofs.Versions where the text has changed considerably are obviously considered more desirable by their nature.] VG+. No owner inscrptn and no price removal from card cover.Lightly and sporadically blemished,but sharp-cornered,wrap-around white background with an upright,black single line bordered,white rectangular panel/box with capitalised,black-lettered title,author's namee and publisher's name and b/w illustrated colophon at panel's lower edge.A flat,reading crease-free spine/backstrip similarly coloured+ lettered title+author name as the front's and publisher's b/w illustrated colophon alone - no name,to foot of same,rear cover with black typewriter style lettered synopsis and other information on author's 'Hawksmoor' and 'Chatterton' titles; publisher's Uncorrected Proof etc., legend and other information oof publication date,format,pagination and approx. price in separate black-single line bordered,horizontal rectangles. Negligible shelf-wear to edges and corners - no nicks.tears or splits present.Top+fore-edges with minimal ageing/toning and minimal blemish but no foxing/spotting; contents remarkably bright,crisp and clean near pristine - with no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corners,appears unread other than my own collation.UK,8vo wraps ('C' format p/b), Uncorrected Proof copy,3-308pp [paginataed] includes Pts 1-6 comprising 80 chapters in total; plus [unpaginated] half-title+title pages and individual Pts separator pages each with a literary epigram from various authors.
Visually the exterior appearance is acceptable and particularly internally,is in an exceptional condition/state of preservation and presentation for a book of its 30+ year-old age and nature, i.e an ephemeral paperback Proof copy.It is only the faults described that prevents a slightly higher grading overall.Despite them,it really is still an acceptable example for its lack of other common detracting faults found in a decades old paperback.
See my book IDs rja512715 and rja428212 for UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edns 'Hawksmoor' and rja343 for a UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn 'chatterton',and rja. 'First Light' is not the darkest of Peter Ackroyd's novels (Hawksmoor has that honor),but fans of the macabre will relish its exhilarating combination of cosmic awe, ancient beings, and creepy underground tunnels, in a humorous suspense story as cleverly paced as a Hitchcock thriller.
The story is that the excavation of a neolithic, astronomically aligned grave under the pastoral hills of Dorset, England, coincides with the startling reappearance of ancient stars (including H. P. Lovecraft's Aldebaran) in the night sky.A group of deliciously eccentric characters - archaeologists, astronomers, a stuffy civil servant, a stand-up comic, and vaguely menacing local villagers - converge at the site and collide with each other. Please contact seller,for correct shipping/P+p quotes - particularly ALL overseas customers - BEFORE ordering through the order page!
N.B. ALL buyers please note,stocks' actual shipping/P+p costs are adjusted and any difference is refunded,after order's receipt and before the order's despatch,especially if the item(s) are offered either P+p included/FREE.
** N.B. US/Canada customers please be aware: Standard AIRMAIL postage from UK to these destinations can now cost more than the price of the book! If speed is not of the essence,then Economy rate is recommended - at approx. anything from a 1/3rd to 1/2 of the standard US AIR quote/rate - sometimes arriving sooner than the 42 days - but not always. **

Visually the exterior appearance is exceptional [more than acceptable] and [even] particularly internally,is also in an exceptional condition/state of preservation and presentation for a book of its -year-old age [and nature, i.e an ephemeral child's children's book] I t is only the faults described that prevents a slightly higher grading overall.Despite [them/that/those/].it really is [still] an exceptional,exemplary example for its cleanliness,brightness and lack of detracting faults.

Please contact seller,for correct shipping/P+p quotes - particularly ALL overseas customers - BEFORE ordering through the order page!N.B. ALL buyers please note,stocks' actual shipping/P+p costs are adjusted and any difference is refunded,after order's receipt and before the order's despatch,especially if the item(s) are offered either P+p included/FREE.** N.B. US/Canada customers please be aware: Standard AIRMAIL postage from UK to these destinations can now cost more than the price of the book! If speed is not of the essence,then Economy rate is recommended - at approx. anything from a 1/3rd to 1/2 of the standard US AIR quote/rate - sometimes arriving sooner than the 42 days - but not always. **