CATCH-22

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1961. First printing. Near fine in near fine jacket.. Beautifully inscribed first edition of this dark satire on the patriotic narrative of American triumph in World War II, with a brief accompanying letter from Heller. A supreme example of black comedy in 20th-century war fiction, CATCH-22 emphasizes the existential disillusionment of soldiers witnessing their companion's deaths: graveyard humor taken to the same extremes as warfare. CATCH-22 has gone on to become a modern classic, familiar even to those who haven't read it through its influence on our linguistic culture: "Many consider the novel to be the definitive statement of the modern antiwar position. The phrase 'Catch-22', symbolizing the absurdity of all institutional logic, has become a permanent part of our language" (NYPL). A wonderful example in exceptional condition, exhibiting little of the usual fading to the red of the jacket, with a warm and revealing inscription. Rare thus. 8.25'' x 5.25''. Original full blue cloth, spine lettered in white. In original unclipped ($5.95) blue and red pictorial dust jacket designed by Paul Bacon, with author photo by Seymour Linden on rear panel. Red topstain, fore-edge machine deckle. 443, [1] pages. Inscribed by Heller on the front endpaper: "To Patrick, Christopher, / Celia, / + / Greg Ross. / It is a pleasure / indeed to inscribe / this first edition / of one of my / favorite novels -- still [underlined] / after 28 years. / Joseph Heller / Feb, 1990 / E. Hampton, N.Y." Brief ALS from Heller on his letterhead and with original mailing envelope also included to same recipients, agreeing to sign book. Touch of fading to spine of jacket, trace wear here and there - close inspection only. Book has bookplate to front pastedown. Some very faint wear to cloth. Else remarkably bright, clean, and sharp. Letter fine. Both book and letter housed in blue custom archival clamshell case, with display window for letter built-in to lid. (Inventory #: 46717)