CATCH-22 - inscribed pre-publication presentation, association copy with accompanying letter; first edition, first printing

Heller, Joseph

Published by Simon and Schuster, New York, 1961

About this Item

Simon and Schuster, New York. 1961. 443 pages. First edition, first printing. Signed and inscribed by Joseph Heller on the front endpaper, on October 11th, 1961, eight days before the book's official publication date, on October 19th, 1961. At that time, Joseph Heller was still working at McCall's magazine, and chose to include McCall's as a post-script, below his inscription and signature. This pre-publication copy would indicate this copy was likely from the author's own private stock of pre-publication copies. Additionally, Mr. Heller inscribed the book for his then boss at McCall's magazine. All of this information is provided by Joseph Heller, in a handwritten note, explaining this very pre-publication date inscription. This hand-written letter is laid in, along with its original mailing envelope, dated June 17, 1996, with a 117 postmark, indicating Suffolk County, Long Island, which is home to East Hampton, where Mr. Heller resided. As for the book, binding is tight. Hinges are strong and sound. Sunned red topstain. Original DJ with $5.95 price intact on flap. DJ is bright and attractive. One or two tiny edge chips. Red hue is bright on the front and on jacket spine. Light rubbing to jacket. One tiny instance of minor soiling, on DJ front. Endpapers are clean; front endpaper contains the lengthy inscription, from Mr. Heller. Blue cloth panels have been professionally cleaned. Cloth rubbed thin along some folds. A touch of professional restoration in front gutter, and to blue cloth, mostly on corner tips. There are nicer copies available, but few check so many boxes for one of the most important books in twentieth century literature. First edition, first printing, in bright original jacket, signed and inscribed by the author in a dated, prepublication association copy, with the inscription breakdown supplied by the author himself, some thirty-five years after the fact. A true plum. Rare.

Seller Inventory # 004208

Bibliographic Details

• Title: CATCH-22 - inscribed pre-publication presentation, association copy with accompanying letter; first edition, first printing
• Publisher: Simon and Schuster, New York
• Publication Date: 1961
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Printing: 1st Printing
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Weight: 1 kilogram
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • First Edition
  • Signed by Author
  • Top 100 books lists