About this Item
Typed Letter SIGNED by Joseph Heller, author of CATCH-22: 1 page on Heller's personal deckle-edged stationery [with letterhead: "Joseph Heller / E. Hampton, N.Y."] bearing several ink corrections in the author's hand, dated June 28, 1964. Accompanied by a stamped envelope also addressed to Professor James Nagel of Northeastern University, Boston, Mass, postmarked "June 2{5?}, 1968, Smithtown, N.Y.," and typed [presumably by Heller]. "Joe" Heller writes "Jim" Nagel to to inquire about his new collection of critical essays about Heller's famous novel Catch-22. The author asks for a set of bound galleys of those essays. Evidently, one of the essayists got his facts wrong. In response, Heller relates what actually occurred during his last days in the Army Air Force. He was employeed in PR but couldn't recall doing anything. SIGNED Letter has EXCELLENT CONTENT about Heller's life and novels. It is in Near Fine condition without discoloration; bearing evidence of the author's attention to detail with blue ink corrections of typos. Heller summarizes his actual duties during the waning days of service in the Army Air Force and corrects a serious misinterpretation about those activities and their supposed relationship to his celebrated novel. Quoting in part: "Dear Jim:.I insist you send me a copy of the [Critical] essays. To answer your questions: After my last mission, I waited around for a couple of months to be sent to the U.S. in January, then, from Atlantic City, I was shipped to the air base at San Angelo, Texas, where I waited around to be discharged, along with thousands of others who'd completed their missions and for whom there was no longer need elsewhere. Technically, I was employed in the Public Relations office, but I can't remember doing any work at all. Armorer's school took only about three or four months; again, after a month or two of waiting after qualifiying, I was sent to the Santa Ana Army Air Base as an aviation cadet, then to training school as a bombardier. The mission you ask about never happened, and I've never heard of it--not the incident you mention.The timing for the essays should be good. The new novel will be out in early October. Best, Joe [signed clearly in ink]". Seller Inventory # 155
Bibliographic Details
Title: Typed Letter Signed about CATCH-22; 1 page (...
Publisher: New York
Publication Date: 1968
Condition: Near Fine
Signed: Signed by Author(s)
Edition: Typed Letter Signed.
Store Description
We are professional booksellers, autograph dealers, and antiquarians (members of the ABAA & ILAB) who began in business in 1969. We pride ourselves on providing books, autographs, art, and artifacts in the Best Available Condition (typically Fine, Very interesting, Scarce, or Unusual items).
Our descriptions strive to be scrupulously accurate. Whenever possible, we detail flaws, include photographs of stock listed (rather than "stock photos"), and provide some background on the authors, creators...
More InformationAll our books and items are carefully packed. They are usually shipped in Manilla padded-envelopes or sturdy boxes with additional bubble wrap, styrofoam "popcorn," or other protective layers. We strive to ship within 24 hours of receiving orders--allowing extra time for weekends or holidays.
Books shipped within the United States are usually shipped via USPS Media Mail. Postal charges for Media Mail typically run from $3.17 to around $5. When site-posted charges--usually $4.95--exceed actual USPS charges, any overage helps to defray our packaging and shipping costs.
Those books requiring extra-swift transport or -care are often shipped via USPS Priority Mail. Postage charges usually average $13.50 for up to precisely 2 pounds, but rapidly escalate thus possibly making it necessary to contact clients.
Autographs & manuscripts, art & artifacts are usually shipped in stout boxes with padding and reinforcement. Because Media Mail rates do not then apply, we normally use USPS Priority mail, but also ship via UPS and FedEx. Extra charges for insurance are often necessary for valuable items.
Overseas' shipments (as to Europe) weighing with packaging Not more than 2 pounds usually incur postage charges of between $13.50 to $25. Those between 2 - 4 pounds average around $35. Packages of more than 4 pounds usually need to be quoted.
Payment Methods
accepted by seller