No Country for Old Men, early uncorrected proof
Knopf, New York, 2004
Early uncorrected proof, consisting of a photocopied typescript bound in cream paper covers with a black plastic spine, bearing a white label on the spine printed: “No Country for Old Men.” Softcover, 28.1 × 21.9 cm, 341 numbered pages. The front cover reads: “It’s been seven long years…”; the title page follows with: “And now it’s time to scratch the itch.”. The title page cites “8/23/2005” as the publication date. Wrapped in a manila acetate dustjacket.
A photocopied letter from Gary L. Fisketjon, McCarthy’s editor at Knopf, on his letterhead, laid in. Signed “Yours, Gary,” it reads:
“Dear Friends, Cormac’s new novel will obviously provoke rather intense interest throughout the trade, but he asks that at this stage the manuscript be treated as strictly confidential. Needless to say, we’re excited to finally be able to share it with you and eager to hear your thoughts.”
The letter is dated “6 December.”
CONDITION: Near fine, a clean copy; the laid-in letter also near fine.
PROVENANCE: Purchased from Ken Lopez in 2009.
Issued on December 4 (or 6), 2004, in an unknown number of copies.
This is the earliest proof of No Country for Old Men, preceded only by two copies of the final draft typescript that have appeared on the market. While the exact number of copies issued is unknown, it must have been small given the strict confidentiality McCarthy requested.
Gary Fisketjon, in an email to me dated 2024, did not recall the number of copies printed. He added: “Strangely, I remember writing that note for No Country but have no idea why I didn’t put a stop to that appalling ‘It’s been seven long years…scratch the itch’ marketing idiocy.”
COLLECTING TOPICS: This is a scarce proof that has consistently commanded high prices. My copy was purchased in 2009 for $2,500. Two years later, Between the Covers listed another at $3,500. A third copy, lacking the letter, was offered in 2012 for $1,500. Rare Book Hub records only two auction appearances, the most recent in 2019. Altogether, I have encountered six or seven copies. More recently it has become even scarcer: as of August 2025, no copies were listed on the online market.
I am not aware of any signed or inscribed copies.
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