?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 2,500 - $ 3,500
A SURVIVOR HELLER, JOSEPH. Catch-22. Advance Proof, Inscribed by Heller. 8vo, original wrappers printed in blue, backstrip browned, light thumbsoiling. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1961
an advance proof and inscribed association copy originally from the library of w.h. auden. Included is a TLS by Robert Wilson of the Phoenix Bookshop (on his letterhead and dated 4 May 1976 and with original letterpress mailing envelope) addressed to Mr. Frank Adamucci, Jr. stating that the present copy was purchased by him (Wilson) as part of Auden's estate upon the poet's return to England after many years in New York. He writes that Auden "had no regard for books whatsoever. He spilled drinks on them, tore pages out, scribbled notes on them, and literally, within my presence, stepped on them and even kicked them out of the way if they fell on the floor." That Heller was apprised of this provenance is revealed in his neat inscription (in blue pen on first blank) that reads in full "From the library of W.H. Auden to the library of Frank Adamucci, Jr. If you ever decide to part with this copy someday, let me know. I think I might like to have it. Joseph Heller 4/19/76"
