The Mystic Masseur [Scarce Uncorrected Proof Copy] by NAIPAUL, V.S - (1959)

NY: Vanguard. (1959). The uncorrected proof copy of the first American edition of the Nobel Prize winner's first novel, published two years after its appearance in the U.K. Naipaul is a Trinidadian author of Indian descent, one of the giants of contemporary English literature, and one of the most astute, if acerbic, Western commentators on Third World issues. Spine and a bit of the lower rear edge darkened, apparently from binder's glue rather than sun; some light dustiness to covers and a few gentle turns to page corners; very good in wrappers. An exceedingly scarce proof, by all appearances produced from the text block of the U.K. edition, bound in plain blue wrappers, with the U.S. publisher's label affixed to the front cover. This proof dates from the period when proofs were not routinely produced, which explains the use of the U.K. edition as an "American proof." Bound proofs in that era were little-known publishing artifacts, and were seldom saved, let alone filtered into the rare book market. We've only ever seen one other copy. First Edition. Softcover. Very Good.