MESSIAH. [UK,Uncorrected Book Proof.]

UK,12mo wraps,Uncorrected Book Proof. Publication date February,1999. Complete number line 1 3 5 7 9 8 6 4 2. 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.] NMINT. Wrapped+protected and stored from day of distribution,unread apart from my own collation - so NO owner inscrptn and NO reading creases to spine or pages' corners. Bright,crisp,clean,sharp-cornered,wrap-around,matt red background with a wrap-around black narrow band/strip to lower edge of covers with capitalised,red lettered UNCORRECTED BOOK PROOF etc., legend within the band,plus book's capitalised, black-lettered title and author's name and a capitalised,black-lettered strapline too - all to front cover.A flat,reading crease-free spine/backstrip with similarly coloured+lettered book title and author's name as the front's,and publisher's black-lettered name and black illustrated colophon to foot of same,rear cover with black-lettered synopsis, publisher's bulleted promotional information and within the cover's black narrow band/strip at its lower edge,red-lettered ISBN, publiction date and price. Negligible shelf-wear to edges and corners - no nicks, tears or splits present; front cover at the head of spine with a small indent,elsewhere fine.Top+fore-edges exceptionally bright,crisp and clean,without ageing/toning or any foxing/spotting; contents similar - virtually pristine - no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corners,unread apart from my own collation. UK,12mo Uncorrected Book Proof,1-502pp [paginated] includes Pts 1-3 comprising 125 chapters in total; plus [unpaginated] half-title with author's potted biogtraphy and a Publisher's note to same,a title page,a dedication,Acknowledgements and individual Pts separator pages. This early reading copy of 'Messiah' has been produced from the uncorrected typescript.It does not necessarily represent the text,design or typeface of the finished book. Visually the exterior appearance is exceptional and particularly internally,is also in an exceptional condition/state of preservation and presentation for a book of its 25-year-old age and nature, i.e an ephemeral paperback proof copy. It is only the minimal fault described that prevents a slightly higher grading overall.Despite that,it really is still an exceptional,exemplary example for its cleanliness, brightness and lack of detracting faults usually encountered with a decades old paperback. London is in the grip of a heatwave: airless days, strange steamy nights and a killer stalking the streets. Wealthy men are being murdered to some mysterious pattern, with no clues left behind, only corpses with silver spoons in place of their tongues. . . Set against this merciless butcher is DCI Red Metcalfe, an investigator with a celebrated ability to get under the skin and into the minds of the deranged killers he hunts. But as the city swelters and the body count rises, Red's own tortured past begins to turn against him – and the city is safe for no one. Sometimes, it is said, it takes a killer to catch a killer. . . 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. **