J.D. Salinger Signed Contract to publish "The Catcher in the Rye

Reclusive U.S. Author, famous for his ground-breaking coming of age novel "The Catcher in the Rye." Extremely important 2 page publishing contract 8.5" x 20" signed "J.D. Salinger" and dated "9th February, 1965" for the right to publish his most important work "The Catcher in the Rye" in Portugese for release in Brazil.

This is the Publishing contract for the publication of his book "The Catcher in the Rye" in the Portugese language. On Rosyln Targ Literary Agency, Inc. letterhead. In part: "Memorandum of agreement made and entered into this 9th day of February 1965 between J.D. Salinger c/o Harold Ober Associates, Inc... hereafter called the proprietor of the one part and Editors Do Autor...Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, hereafter called the publisher of the other part whereby it is mutually agreed as follows regarding the work by J.D. Salinger entitled, Catcher In The Rye. The proprietor warranting that he is the sole and exclusive owner of the rights subject to this agreement hereby grants to the publisher the sole and exclusive license to translate, print, publish, and sell the said work in volume form only in the regular trade/paperbac edition in the Portugese for Brasil only language subject to the terms and conditions following..." After which are all of the clauses of the terms and conditions relating to this agreement. The contract contains 3 detailed non-standard clauses added by Salinger giving him total right to control the appearance and advertising of the book. A great example of Salinger's obsession with detail and holistic view of his role as author and caretaker of his fiction. Salinger did not grant interviews, and categorically refuses to give autographs and was even wary of entering into correspondence with friends or associates. As a consequence, his signed material is extraordinarily scarce and desirable. This contract is particularly rare because Salinger refused to mention his most important work "The Catcher in the Rye" or even his character Holden in all but a very view pieces of correspondence. Therefore, mention of this work by its author is rare. Salinger signs at the end in full: "J.D. Salinger" in black ink. A clean, strong signature. Also signed by his wife Claire Salinger as a witness. The couple, who had two children together, would divorce only two years later.

The reclusive author was notoriously careful of the way his work was presented in print, and eschewed any spotlight on himself as author or his personal life. When his First Edition of The Catcher in the Rye was published, Salinger was so distraught over the large photograph of himself on the back that he forbade it to be used in any further editions, and reviewed carefully the appearance and marketing of any Catcher-related material. As time went on, he stopped giving interviews, preferring that his work speak for itself rather than he speaking for it, and he began to loathe reviewers and commentators. Notably, in this contract, Salinger has added specific and non-standard language to this effect: "22. It is understood by the Publisher that no written matieral except the author's can be included in the book or used on the cover or jacket. This means no reviews or quotations from reviews on the jacket, no introductory comments or prefaces. 23. It is understood by the Publisher that no photograph may be used on the cover or jacket or in any connection with this book. No photographs should be used in promotional copy or advertising. No biographical material may be used for promotion or advertising. 24. It is understood by the Publisher that the cover and just [sic] jacket of the book must be submitted for the author's approval." We cannot think of a more important contract relating to modern American literature. Catcher In The Rye is the quintessential work of American writing in this century. Rare and important.