The Road, uncorrected proof
Knopf, New York, 2006
Uncorrected proof of the first edition. Softcover, 23.2 x 14.1 cm, 239 numbered pages. Light blue wrappers lettered in black on the spine and front cover, which notes “2 October 2006” as the publication date, “$24” as the price, and a first printing of 250,000 copies. The first page after the front cover features a color reproduction of the trade edition dust jacket by Chip Kidd.
CONDITION: a lovely near fine copy.
Issued between July and September 2006, in an unknown number of copies.
This proof was preceded by the first issue proof and apparently by the second issue proof, which does not include the first edition publication date and print run information.
A quick look through the first 100 pages reveals several places where the proof differs from the published first edition—specifically on pages 6–7, 10, 15, and 74.
COLLECTING TOPICS: this proof is often said to have been issued in an unusually small number of copies. However, there is no clear evidence of that. Rare Book Hub lists five copies at auction. As of October 2025, Abebooks offered two copies, priced at $725 and $1,500. At that time, however, a copy in collector’s condition like this could still be found for around $500–600.
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2 Responses
Thanks for this, Umberto.
Interesting note – the info sheet from the hardcover review copy states a first printing of 175,000 copies vs. 250,000 on the front cover of the proof.
That is interesting, Al. Actually, I am going to upload a post about a review copy of The Road with slip and publisher’s sheet: it states a first print run of 175,000 copies, indeed. As the review copies were distributed in September, later than the proof, I believe that this is the correct number of the first printing.