Philip K. Dick - Typed Letter Signed (TLS) to Norm Metcalf - April 12, 1960

Philip K. Dick

Publication Date: 1960

About this Item

Typed letter, signed "Phil Dick," to noted science fiction collector and bibliographer Norm Metcalf. With the original mailing envelope. Dated April 12 1960, Dick thanks Norm for sending him Damon Knight's collection of critical essays In Search of Wonder, praising both its appearance and content, and commenting on the chapter that deals with him. Dick discusses recent "good luck in [his] writing" with respect to Doctor Futurity, Time Pawn and Vulcan's Hammer, concluding with his positive reaction to the foreign rights to Time Out of Joint. He also writes "But far more interesting to me and to my career is this: Harcourt-Brace has given me a project contract for a straight literary novel.the contract is signed and I have a $500 signature advance.Mind you, there is no novel yet. Not even an outline.I have nine months to do the whole thing, and it as all going to be tough, the whole business." In October of that year, Dick would submit the manuscript for Humpty Dumpty in Oakland, which was a reworking of a now lost novel titled A Time for George Stavros, written around 1955-1956. Harcourt Brace would ultimately reject it, and Dick was forced to return the $500 advance. The book was eventually published by Gollancz in 1986. (Rickman, 1989) Single page letter, measuring 8 1/2 x 11", with the original mailing envelope. Signed in blue ink by Dick, with "x copy" also written in blue ink, possibly in another hand. Letter in very good condition, showing little wear and folded to fit in the envelope. Protected in an archival sleeve. A scarce signed letter by one of sci-fi's greatest with notable content.

Seller Inventory # ABE-1727280348123

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Philip K. Dick - Typed Letter Signed (TLS) to Norm Metcalf - April 12, 1960
• Publication Date: 1960
• Binding: No Binding
• Condition: Very Good
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)