September 2014 Auction Ends Thursday, September 25th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/25/2014
Joseph Heller typed letter signed to Professor James Nagel, who was preparing a collection of critical essays on ''Catch-22'' in 1972, when this letter was written. Composed on Heller's personal stationery, letter reads in full, ''I should like very much to come to Northeastern to speak this year, if scheduling and other details can be worked out. Unfortunately, from your point of view, but fortunately from mine, speaking fees have gotten quite high, so high that I'm embarrassed to mention them and have an arrangement with a speakers' bureau to do that embarrassing work for me. (No higher, I believe than Vonnegut's or Roth's, neither one of which, I believe, are doing any campus visiting this year, so you might as well give all the money to me. And I do throw in a virtually unlimited amount of meetings with classes and seminars). Seriously, I'll have a good person at the speakers' bureau get in touch with you, for I do have an agreement there. More seriously, from your point of view, you should know that there is at least one other collection of pieces on Catch-22 in preparation along with a critical edition (text of novel with about five essays) also in the works by a paperback publisher. I tell you this because it will probably be of advantage to you and your publisher if you could advance the date as much as possible, since there is certain to be some duplication. Knowing publishers, however, I would hesitate to tell them about the first collection, since they are apt to cancel your project in fright; but I would mumble something bout moving things up in time to catch the next academic year. Best wishes and I hope we shall meet. Joseph Heller''. Single page letter measures 6'' x 8'', in near fine condition. With original envelope.
Joseph Heller Letter Signed -- ''...speaking fees have gotten quite high...No higher, I believe than Vonnegut's or Roth's...''
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