Big Blackmail [Uncorrected Book Proof Copy with Handwritten Author Revisions & 1954 Royalty Statement]

THE AUTHOR'S PERSONAL WORKING PROOF FEATURING SIGNIFICANT MANUSCRIPT TEXTUAL REVISIONS BY FRANK KING, ACCOMPANIED BY THE ORIGINAL 1954 ROBERT HALE SALES STATEMENT DETAILING DEFINITIVE INITIAL PRINTING RUN STATISTICAL METRICS.Octavo. A singular, highly important pre-publication working proof copy of Frank King’s 1954 classic noir/mystery thriller Big Blackmail, printed prior to the commercial first edition run by B.T. Co., Bristol.MANUSCRIPT CORRECTIONS IN THE AUTHOR'S HAND:This is Frank King's private copy used to finalize the dialogue and text flow before the final print run. It displays multiple handwritten editorial interventions in ink and pencil deep within the text block:Pages 36 & 37: Features a deletion margin symbol (d) paired with specific text layout modification bars on page 36. On page 37, the author has utilized a prominent caret symbol (\(\land \)) to handwrite a critical dialogue modification ("object") directly into the left-hand margin, altering the text block mid-sentence.Page 64: Features a substantial and highly important line-level text modification. The author has struck through a print formatting error and utilized an insertion caret (\(\land \)) to handwrite the colloquial dialogue word "bibful" directly into the right margin ("Quite a bibful," muttered Alice.), modifying the line before final publication.Pages 68 & 69: Marks the transition into Chapter X ("Attack in the Dark"). Features active text-block tracking with a distinct hand-penciled margin stroke (/) flagging a critical segment of investigative dialogue concerning the post-mortem results of George Haldane.ACCOMPANYING ARCHIVAL SALES & ACCOUNT RECORD:Preserved alongside the proof copy is the original, authentic full-sheet Robert Hale Limited Statement of Sales & Account document (No. 1609), dated 28th October, 1954, for the six-month period ended 30th June, 1954. Addressed to "Dr. Frank King c/o Messrs Pearn Pollinger & Higham Ltd," this archival ledger reveals unprinted, highly critical bibliographical data:Definitive Publication Date: Officially recorded as 19th May, 1954.Launch Retail Price: 9/6 net.Exact Initial Print Statistics: Confirms a strictly limited initial printing of exactly 3,750 copies, with a meticulous breakdown mapping domestic sales (2,255), export sales (887), review/presentation copies (84), and ending stock on hand (449).CONDITION REPORT:The Proof Copy: Very Good. Housed in the original publisher's buff-colored printed paper proof wrappers. The spine is uncreased, tight, and completely intact; the binding remains square and solid. Interior pages show a minor, natural uniform age-toning but are exceptionally crisp and clean, highlighting a beautiful woodcut firing-revolver publishing vignette on the title page.The Sales Document: Near Fine. The single-page publisher's ledger sheet is remarkably clean and crisp with original folding lines, remaining completely bold and flawlessly legible with all original accounting tick marks.A premier, museum-tier archive that captures the complete genesis and publishing lifecycle of a mid-century British detective thriller.…