Malcolm Mooney's Land, W. S. Graham — Uncorrected Proof Copy
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Publication: London, Faber and Faber, 1970
Formatting: 8vo, pp. 64.
Condition Report: Very Good. This uncorrected proof copy is housed in its original printed paper wrappers, which exhibit light toning and faint handling wear to the extremities, typical of such fragile pre-publication issues. The spine shows a subtle reading crease but remains structurally sound, holding the binding firmly intact. Internally, the text block is pleasingly bright, clean, and free from foxing or prominent blemishes, rendering it a highly presentable example of an uncommon proof state.
Catalogue Note: This is a scarce, uncorrected proof copy of W. S. Graham's Malcolm Mooney's Land. Issued prior to the official first edition, the front wrapper prominently bears the publisher's notices 'Not for Sale' and 'Publication date not yet settled,' highlighting its status as an early, pre-market artefact.
As with many uncorrected proofs from this era of poetry publishing, this copy offers a tangible glimpse into the production process of one of Graham's most significant later collections. Such paper-bound proofs were primarily intended for internal editorial review and select advance circulation, making them notably scarce on the open market today.
Breaking a fifteen-year silence following his celebrated 1955 collection The Nightfishing, W. S. Graham's Malcolm Mooney's Land represents a profound and unsettling evolution in the Scottish poet's work. The collection explores the bleak, metaphorical landscapes of isolation and language itself, charting the difficulties of communication and the chilling expanses of human thought. With its stark, conversational tone and piercingly precise imagery, this work solidified Graham's reputation as one of the most rigorously original voices in twentieth-century poetry.
Book Condition: Very Good
Book Authors: W. S. Graham
Book Publisher: Faber and Faber
Book Language: English
Narrative Type: Antiquarian
Genre: Poetry
Book edition:
Signed: No
Book Pages: 64
Book Publication Year: 1970
Book Publication Date:
Book Binding: Softcover
Illustrator: N/A
Book Series: N/A
Country/region of manufacture: Plymouth, United Kingdom
Book Dimensions:
Book Condition Guide
| Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| New | A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage. |
| As New | The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years. |
| Fine | The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked. |
| Near Fine | The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition. |
| Very Good | The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present. |
| Good | A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy. |
| Fair | A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity. |
| Poor | A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance. |
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