Welcome back to Redwall Collectors Community. Today, we're showing off the Mossflower uncorrected proof (also known as an advance proof, advance readers copy, or ARC). There are actually two: a U.S. and a UK edition. We have both in the Redwall Wiki library.
These are very rare first editions of Mossflower by Brian Jacques - both were released prior to the publication of the novel. The U.S. Mossflower proof is very similar to the uncorrected proof for Redwall - there are no illustrations from Gary Chalk inside it, they probably weren't even finished at the time. Or, perhaps, they hadn't arrived at the Philomel offices from the UK publishers. After all, the internet wasn't around in the 1980s.
While the back of the U.S. edition is blank, the UK version appears like a traditional ARC, and contains marketing information a media reviewer might expect:
- Dramatic full colour point-of-sale to include 36 copy dumpbins with cut-out 3D headers and posters
- Major author PR to include TV/radio and press coverage
- Feature and review coverage guaranteed
- Competitions via radio and local press
- Author signing sessions in Liverpool
- Author visits to schools
This Mossflower advance proof was published by Beaver Books, an imprint of Hutchinson used for paperbacks. As this was 1989, a few months after the hardcover was released, it does have all the illustrations inside, as well as the map.
And if you're wondering what a "dumpbin" or "dump bin" is - that's one of those cardboard displays you might see in a bookstore used to exclusively promote a certain book. Publishers develop them and get them placed in book shops.
Both of our Mossflower uncorrected proofs are signed by Brian Jacques. We're thrilled to have these special items in our collection. Thanks for reading today! REDWALLLLLLLLLLL!
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