1st edition GR

[Ed Thompson]

On  Fri, 21 Feb 1997 22:46:25 -0500  "Henry M"  wrote:

"I don't know the word for the history of the printings of a 
particular book, but is such a history of GR, The Book, chronicled
anywhere. "

---In 1989 Dalkey Archives published _Thomas Pynchon: A Bibliography of
Primary and Secondary Materials_ by Clifford Mead. Although dated, this
book is still, as far as I know, the most complete source for printing
history information concerning pre-Vineland Pynchon. Regarding the early
publishing history of GR, Mead lists the hardcover with the following
information: 

New York: Viking, 1973. 760 pp. Later printings so stated. 
Note: this first edition was preceded by two states of proofs: (1) pages
sewn and glued into endapers but not bound up, intended for major reviewers
and readers for book clubs; (2) uncorrected proofs in blue wrappers.
[My note: since no mention is made of various "states" in the first
printing, any copy of the first trade edition that does NOT indicate a
later printing is a "true" first]

Mead lists the first paperback issue of GR this way:
New York: Viking, 1973. 760 pp. First trade paperback edition, issued
simultaneous with cloth edition. Fourth printing contains corrections of
some typographical errors. 

Also listed among early editions are a Book of the Month club hardover that
differs from the first trade edition by being printed on thinner paper, not
having price or date on the jacket flap, and having a blind stamp on the
lower right back cover. [NB: book club editions have MUCH lower (if any)
value in the rare book market]

A Quality Paperback Book Club edition was issued in 1973 and is
distinguishable from Viking trade by lack of price notation on front cover.

Jonathan Cape of London issued the first British edtions of both hardcover
and paperback in 1973 (presumably shortly after the American firsts).

The first Bantam paperback was issued in 1974.