Catch-22 [SIGNED and with Author's letter laid in] by HELLER, Joseph - 1961

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1961

First edition, 1961. Octavo, pp443. Blue cloth covered hard boards with original dust jacket, price clipped. Signed by the author to the title page in blue pen.


With the author's note laid in to the previous owner, which reads "Dear Mr. Merry: I've signed it on the page most book collectors prefer. Take good care of it. People tell me first editions are worth more than $800 today, and $200 more with a good dust jacket. The ink has been flowing more & better than ever since I got the use of my hands back. J.H.". The reference to use of his hands refers to Heller's battle with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a debilitating condition which left him temporarily paralysed. He was diagnosed with this in 1981 and after lengthy treatment and time in various hospitals, he did make a significant recovery and continued his writing career including the novel Picture This and two volumes of autobiography.


Book is in Very Good condition, a small glue residue to ffep, no other markings, boards a bit faded; Jacket is worn, chipped, and has tape stains to spine ends, red figure on spine remains bright and unfaded, overall jacket is Very Good Minus condition.