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Uncorrected UK proof copy, inscribed to a British publishing agent on a promotional bookplate, as issued during a major marketing campaign ahead of publication day, "To Dave Tamblin [sic], with compliments and warm regards, George R. R. Martin". David Tamlyn was then a fiction buyer at Diamond Comics; he socialized with Martin at conventions in the years preceding this inscription. Before Game of Thrones, Martin was best known as a writer and producer for the fantasy television series Beauty and the Best (1987-1990). "Hollywood's carelessness of his talent was one of the things that pushed Martin back towards writing books" (Richards) and he started working on the first instalment in the Song of Ice and Fire series in 1991. HarperCollins had paid a huge sum for Martin's fantasy series, taking a gamble on an author whose name recognition was mostly limited to small but dedicated circles of science fiction and fantasy fans. To increase his media profile, the publishers sent advanced proof copies to fantasy buyers at publishing houses and bookshops. Martin also toured for the novel, but later noted that "I was happy if I got a half dozen people" in attendance at the initial book signings following publication (Richards). Hoping for ambitious UK sales figures of 5,000 hardbacks and 50,000 paperbacks, "HarperCollins bought Martin's story initially as a trilogy, focusing on the families of the Starks, the Lannisters and Daenerys, and the Others beyond the Wall... Uncorrected UK proof copy, inscribed to a British publishing agent on a promotional bookplate, as issued during a major marketing campaign ahead of publication day, "To Dave Tamblin [sic], with compliments and warm regards, George R. R. Martin". David Tamlyn was then a fiction buyer at Diamond Comics; he socialized with Martin at conventions in the years preceding this inscription. Before Game of Thrones, Martin was best known as a writer and producer for the fantasy television series Beauty and the Best (1987-1990). "Hollywood's carelessness of his talent was one of the things that pushed Martin back towards writing books" (Richards) and he started working on the first instalment in the Song of Ice and Fire series in 1991. HarperCollins had paid a huge sum for Martin's fantasy series, taking a gamble on an author whose name recognition was mostly limited to small but dedicated circles of science fiction and fantasy fans. To increase his media profile, the publishers sent advanced proof copies to fantasy buyers at publishing houses and bookshops. Martin also toured for the novel, but later noted that "I was happy if I got a half dozen people" in attendance at the initial book signings following publication (Richards). Hoping for ambitious UK sales figures of 5,000 hardbacks and 50,000 paperbacks, "HarperCollins bought Martin's story initially as a trilogy, focusing on the families of the Starks, the Lannisters and Daenerys, and the Others beyond the Wall... 'Word-of-mouth recommendation was soon spreading like wildfire around fans. And it wasn't long before we exceeded all of our original expectations'" (Flood). The work proved a huge critical success, and in the year after publication it won the Locus and Hugo Awards and was nominated for the Nebula and World Fantasy Awards. A Game of Thrones topped the 2011 New York Times bestseller list in the wake of the immediate popular appeal of the HBO screen adaptation (2011-2019). The novel was published in America on 1 August 1996 and appeared in the UK five days later. This copy comes with the recipient's signed note of provenance. READ MORE Octavo. Original red wrappers patterned and lettered in white, front cover with scaled-down grey concept art by Hugo Award-winning artist Jim Burns, forming the basis of the UK edition jacket art. Double-page map of Westeros, decorative headpiece on chapter titles. A little creasing to bright wrappers, bump to head of front wrapper and initial leaves. A near-fine copy. Alison Flood, "Game of Thrones: An Epic Publishing Story", The Guardian, 5 Aug. 2016; Linda Richards, "January Interview: George R. R. Martin", January Magazine, 2001.

"A Game of Thrones," the first novel in George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, published in 1996, immerses readers in the expansive, intricate world of Westeros. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a power struggle among noble houses, each vying for the Iron Throne. Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, is thrust into the political maelstrom when he is appointed the Hand of the King, tasked with unraveling the mysterious death of his predecessor. As Eddard delves into the complex web of allegiances and betrayals, he discovers dark secrets that threaten the stability of the realm. The narrative weaves together multiple perspectives, showcasing a sprawling cast of characters, each with their own motivations, strengths, and flaws. The Stark family, with its values of honor and duty, finds itself entangled in a web of deception, while the ambitious Lannisters, particularly the calculating and cunning Cersei, play a pivotal role in the power struggles. Meanwhile, across the Narrow Sea, Daenerys Targaryen, the last scion of a deposed dynasty, begins her own journey. Married off to the powerful Dothraki warlord Khal Drogo, Daenerys faces numerous challenges as she adapts to her new surroundings and attempts to reclaim her family's lost throne. The narrative unfolds with a rich tapestry of political intrigue, epic battles, and supernatural elements. Beyond the machinations of human characters, ancient forces threaten the realm, as the White Walkers, mysterious and malevolent creatures, stir in the far north. Magic, dragons, and prophecies further deepen the complexity of the world Martin has crafted. "A Game of Thrones" captivates readers with its morally ambiguous characters, unpredictable plot twists, and gritty realism. Martin's skillful storytelling, meticulous world-building, and attention to detail have made the series a cultural phenomenon, inspiring a globally acclaimed television adaptation. The novel sets the stage for a sprawling epic that explores themes of power, loyalty, and the consequences of choices in a world where no character is guaranteed safety, and no allegiance is permanent.