Posted By:
jeffscott,
are you referring to "Stephen Hero" -- or another uncorrected proof before PoA? Stephen Hero has itself been sporadically in print for the last few decades because of its interest to Joyce scholars.
and, just to get this back on topic: compare 21st century publishing houses to 21st century card companies. the publishing houses offer virtually perfect copies of the book before publication as a courtesy. card companies, were they to use this idea, would probably make intentional mistakes on their "uncorrected proofs," then serial # them. I can just see it on eBay: "ICHIRO SPX Unc. Proof #/121 clr. var.!!!"