This is the SCARCEST COPY of KATE ATKINSON'S FIRST BOOK "BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE MUSEUM", winner of the 1995 Whitbread Award (Book of the Year), that you are likely to ever find. It is the UNCORRECTED PROOF COPY / BOOK PROOF which was printed BEFORE the actual publication of the book (thus before the first printing of the first edition).

This PROOF COPY is HAND SIGNED by KATE ATKINSON on the title page.

Proof copies of an author's First Book are almost always printed in Very Small numbers as the author is at that time unknown and unproven and the costs of printing proofs for unknown authors is not often cost effective. Later Proofs, IF an author becomes successful, are printed in much greater quantities and sent to many reviewers because the rewards versus costs are known. Thus this Proof Copy of Behind The Scenes At The Museum, Kate Atkinson's first book, is becoming almost impossible to find, while Proofs of Life After Life, for example, while still wonderful, are not too difficult to find.

Published by DOUBLEDAY, LONDON, 1995.

Softcovers, BOOK PROOF stated on the front cover, publication information and UNCORRECTED PROOF COPY on the rear cover. Contains an advance review by Margaret Foster on both the front and rear cover.

VERY GOOD condition, a bit of light wear to the top of the spine, a slight crease to the upper corner of the front cover, a slight crease and superficial scratches to the rear cover; overall a lightly used copy that is tight, bright, clean and unmarked. A solid, lovely Proof.

Kate Atkinson is one of the greatest living writers in the English language imho, and Behind The Scenes At The Museum is one of her best. This SIGNED and INSCRIBED UNCORRECTED PROOF is RARE.