Catch-22

New York: Simon & Schuster, 1961. First edition of one of the most significant novels of the twentieth century. Octavo, original blue cloth. Boldly signed by Joseph Heller on the title page. Additionally signed by author Kurt Vonnegut on the front free endpaper, who has added a self-caricature. Like Catch-22, by Vonnegut's friend, Joseph Heller, Slaughterhouse-Five was a World War II novel embraced by opponents of the Vietnam War, linking a so-called "good war" to the unpopular conflict of the 1960s and '70s. In 2005, six years after Heller's death, Vonnegut published a short poem in The New Yorker with the title 'Joe Heller.' The poem recalled a conversation Vonnegut and Heller shared at a party hosted by a billionaire on Shelter Island. In a few verses, Vonnegut expresses his admiration for the late Heller and his friend's philosophy about the meaning of life. The two agree that gaining knowledge has been more substantive than gaining wealth throughout both of their lives. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with light rubbing. Jacket design by Paul Bacon. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. A unique example. "Catch-22, Joseph Heller's first and best-known novel, depicts a military world turned upside down. In Heller's World War II, a supplies manager has more power than a general, and anyone seeking a discharge on the grounds of insanity is declared sane enough to keep on fighting. When the novel appeared in 1961, World War II veterans appreciated its satire of the military bureaucracy and chaos of war. By the mid-1960's, it had become a cult classic among counterculture activists for its biting indictments of war. 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 Books of the Century 177). Basis for the 1970 film directed by Mike Nichols. The cast included Alan Arkin, Bob Balaban, Martin Balsam, Richard Benjamin, Olimpia Carlisi, Art Garfunkel, Jack Gilford, Charles Grodin, Bob Newhart, Anthony Perkins, Paula Prentiss, Martin Sheen, Jon Voight, and Orson Welles.

Heller on the origin of the title "Catch-22". FIRST EDITION. Inscribed and signed by Heller: "To Jim Pepper: Who might be interested to know that if not for a novel by Leon Uris called Mila 18, this copy of Catch-22 would be Catch-18. Best wishes Joseph Heller 9/20/78." Heller planned to call the novel Catch-18, but his editor, Robert Gottlieb, warned that best-selling novelist Leon Uris was about to publish Mila 18. As an alternative, Gottlieb suggested Catch-22, and the term became part of our everyday language. For Heller and Uris, both of whom were Jewish, the number 18 had special meaning. The Hebrew number 18, yud-het, uses the same letters as the word for life, het-yud. For this reason, donations to Jewish charities and gifts for special occasions are commonly made in multiples of 18, and the number is traditionally associated with good fortune and vitality. A wonderful inscribed copy of this modern classic.

Simon and Schuster, New York, 1961 First Edition, First Printing INSCRIBED and SIGNED by Joseph Heller. A stunning copy. This ORIGINAL dustjacket is vibrant in color with NO fading. This unrestored first issue dustjacket has the $5.95 printed price present. The book is in wonderful shape and appears UNREAD. The binding is tight with NO cocking or leaning with slight wear to the boards. The pages are clean with NO writing, marks or bookplates in the book. A magnificent copy SIGNED by the author in collector's condition. Includes a custom clamshell slipcase for preservation. We buy SIGNED Heller First Editions.. Inscribed by Author(s). 1st Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Fine.

New York: Simon & Schuster, 1961. First edition. Original blue cloth, fine in a nearly fine dust jacket (faint wear and discoloration on the spine). Inscribed by Heller.

Simon and Schuster, New York, 1961 First Edition, First Printing with the words "FIRST PRINTING" printed on the copyright page. This copy is authentically SIGNED by Joseph Heller. A spectacular dustjacket that is vibrant in color with a hint of wear to the spine ends. This original FIRST ISSUE DUSTJACKET has the $5.95 price present with no chips or pieces missing. The book is in excellent shape. The binding is tight, and the boards are crisp with slight wear to the panels. The pages are exceptionally clean with no writing, marks or bookplates in the book. Overall, a beautiful copy of this TRUE FIRST EDITION SIGNED by the author housed in a custom clamshell slipcase for preservation. We buy Joseph Heller First Editions.. Signed by Author(s). 1st Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Fine.

New York: Simon & Schuster, 1961. First edition of Heller's classic first book. Octavo, original blue cloth. Presentation coy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To Albert Raman, Best wishes to you. Joseph Heller 3/20/80 New York." The recipient was a lawyer and well-known book collector. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with light rubbing. Jacket design by Paul Bacon. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. A very nice example. "Catch-22, Joseph Heller's first and best-known novel, depicts a military world turned upside down. In Heller's World War II, a supplies manager has more power than a general, and anyone seeking a discharge on the grounds of insanity is declared sane enough to keep on fighting. When the novel appeared in 1961, World War II veterans appreciated its satire of the military bureaucracy and chaos of war. By the mid-1960's, it had become a cult classic among counterculture activists for its biting indictments of war. 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 Books of the Century 177). Basis for the 1970 film directed by Mike Nichols. The cast included Alan Arkin, Bob Balaban, Martin Balsam, Richard Benjamin, Olimpia Carlisi, Art Garfunkel, Jack Gilford, Charles Grodin, Bob Newhart, Anthony Perkins, Paula Prentiss, Martin Sheen, Jon Voight, and Orson Welles.

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1961. FIRST EDITION. Original blue cloth, with the dust jacket in near perfect condition (slight tear on the spine). Signed by Heller on the title page. First edition, first printing of one of the most significant novels of the twentieth century. Heller's famous satire on war and bureaucracy is set during World War II and follows a soldier seeking any way to return home from his tour of service. The phrase Catch-22 has since become a famous synonym for contradictions or dilemmas, especially concerning absurdity of institutional logic. Heller (1923-1999) was an American author of novels, short stories and plays.

Simon and Schuster, New York, 1961 First Edition, First Printing SIGNED by Joseph Heller on the title page. A wonderful copy of this TRUE FIRST EDITION with the words "FIRST PRINTING" printed on the copyright page. This First Issue dustjacket is vibrant in color and has the $5.95 printed price present on the front flap. The book is in excellent condition. The binding is tight with NO cocking or leaning with minor wear to the boards. The pages are clean with NO marks or bookplates in the book. A lovely copy SIGNED by the author in collector's condition.. Signed by Author(s). 1st Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Near Fine.

The First UK printing published by Jonathan Cape, London in 1962. The BOOK is in near Fine condition with some light pushing at the spine ends and some uniform fading of the dark green top-stain. The book is free from inscriptions and erasures. The WRAPPER is complete and is in near Fine condition. It is the very elusive correct first issue without the five reviews to the rear panel. Some very light age related marking to the rear panel. The wrapper looks very striking in the removable Brodart archival cover. The book has been signed (without dedication) by the author to the title page and a letter of provenance regarding the signature accompanies this title. The publisher's four promotional postcards are present depicting characters from the book. Some of the cards have some spotting and light markings. The author's iconic work which has been adapted for the movies and more recently for TV starring George Clooney. Housed in a custom solander box with marbled inserts and gilt titling. A very rare title with such attributes. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1961. First Edition. Very Good/Very Good. 443 pp. First edition, first printing stated. Signed by Joseph Heller on the front free endpaper, with a lengthy inscription to a former owner. Bound in publisher's blue cloth with spine lettered in white. Very Good+ with bump to bottom edge of front board, thin strip of staining to bottom edge of covers from old-style dust jacket sleeve, spotting to front paste down and offsetting to rear endsheets. In a Very Good unclipped dust jacket, which exhibits edge wear, heavy waviness to the top portions and light, associated creasing. A nice copy for the first printing, signed by the author.

New York: Simon & Schuster, 1961. hardcover. near fine. Rebound in full blue morocco, raised bands, a.e.g. N.Y.: Simon & Schuster, 1961. Fine. Very early presentation copy, dated Sept. 11, 1961 - "To Milton Perlman- With all good wishes, and sincere gratitude for your help and encouragement in these pre-publication days. Joe Heller".

Simon and Schuster, 1961. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Near Fine. A fine first edition (First Printing stated on the copyright page) in a near fine dust jacket, inscribed by Heller on the front free endpaper. Housed in a custom-made collector's clamshell case.

Simon and Schuster, 1961 First Edition, First Printing SIGNED Joseph Heller on a tipped in page. An attractive dustjacket that is rich in color with slight wear to the edges. This original FIRST ISSUE DUSTJACKET has the $5.95 price present with no chips or pieces missing. The book is in nice shape. The binding is tight, and the boards are fresh with slight wear to the edges. The pages are clean with no writing, marks or bookplates in the book. Overall, a wonderful copy of this TRUE FIRST EDITION SIGNED by the author.. Signed by Author(s). 1st Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Near Fine.

Simon and Schuster, New York, 1961 First Edition, First Printing with words "FIRST PRINTING" printed on the copyright page. A beautiful copy. This First Issue dustjacket is rich in color with some repair. The book is in nice shape. The binding is tight with minor wear to the edges. The pages are clean with NO writing, marks or bookplates in the book. A sharp copy of this true first edition with the ORIGINAL dustjacket.. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Fine.

Simon and Schuster, 1961. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. A very good first printing (so stated on the copyright page) in a very good dust jacket, signed by Joseph Heller on a page tipped-in after the front free endpaper. Housed in a custom-made collector's slipcase.

NEW YORK: SIMON & SCHUSTER A NEAR FINE FIRST edition second printing IN VERY GOOD DJ WITH FOUR TINY TAPE STAINS. SIGNED BY HELLER ON TITLE PAGE. with letter signed by Heller also.. Signed by Author(s). FIRST. Hardcover. NEAR FINE/Near Fine. Book.

New York: Simon & Schuster, 1961. First. hardcover. very good(+)/good. 8vo, blue cloth, d.w. N.Y.: Simon & Schuster, 1961. First Edition. Presentation copy. To.... Who's been collecting me for longer than I realized....I hope there'll be much of me for you to keep collecting..." The dust wrapper is creased on the front cover, and price clipped; light blue binding partially discolored; previous ownership rubber stamp.

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1961. First Edition. Cloth. Fine/near fine. Octavo, 443pp. Light blue cloth, title in white on spine. Stated "first printing" on copyright page. Top edge stained red. Book appears unread. In publishers first state dust jacket, $5.95 on front flap, authors picture with no blurbs on back panel, near fine condition, with a 1 cm closed tear at bottom of interior front flap, bright illustrations and vibrant colors. An excellent copy.

Simon and Schuster, New York, 1961 First Edition, First Printing. An attractive First Issue dustjacket with the publisher's $5.95 printed price present and a picture of the author on the back panel. This original dustjacket has light chipping to the spine NOT effecting any lettering and some wear to the back panel. The book is in nice shape. The binding is tight with light wear to the boards. The pages are clean with minor wear to the edges. There is NO marks or bookplates in the book. A lovely copy of this TRUE FIRST EDITION with words "FIRST PRINTING" printed on the copyright page.. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine.

First Edition/Stated First Printing; A very good book in a near fine or better original dust jacket. An outstanding example of this classic of 20th century literature and basis for many movie and TV adaptations. This volume is in very good condition showing some light sunning and fading to the boards, mild foxing to the page ends with just some minor age spotting to a few of the pages, some light shelf wear to the spine ends, and a slightly loose front hinge to the first 10-12 pages (binding completely intact and square). Housed in a beautiful, original dust jacket that shows only some light rubbing and creasing to the spine ends and top edges, else fine. Not price clipped ($5.95 intact) and not ex-library. Protected by a custom clamshell case that shows only trivial shelf wear. This book is getting exceedingly rare in collectible condition, particularly with a dust jacket like this one; this would be a cornerstone piece to anyone's 20th century literature collection. In archival protection and ships in a sturdy box.

New York: Simon and Schuster Inc.,, 1961. Octavo. Finely bound by the Chelsea Bindery in full royal blue morocco, titles and decoration to spine gilt, rule to boards gilt, inner dentelles gilt, plain coated endpapers, all edges gilt. A fine copy. First edition, first printing.

New York: Simon & Schuster, 1961. First edition, uncorrected proof. This is Candida Donadio's copy. Donadio was Joseph Heller's agent and responsbile for the "22" in Catch-22. Donadio's name and address have been written on the front cover between "Catch-22" and "Joseph Heller". This was the working copy in Donadio's office. It is, therefore, a very good copy in somewhat darkened wrappers with a few random spots. The interior text is, for the most part, in fine condition, but a few pages have been roughly opened along the bottom edge.. First Edition. Soft Cover. Very Good.

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1961. FIRST EDITION. A clean, near fine copy in a bright dust jacket with some very minor restoration at extremities. Spine panel minutely faded. Still, an attractive copy of Heller's first book and one of the great classics of Post WWII fiction.

Simon and Schuster, 1961. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine. A near fine first printing (stated First Printing on copyright page) in a near fine dust jacket, signed by Heller on a tipped-in page after the front free endpaper. Previous owner's name on front free endpaper. Housed in a custom-made collector's slipcase.

New York: Simon & Schuster. Very Good in Good dust jacket. 1961. First Edition; First Printing. Hardcover. Blue cloth binding has traces of fading on edges and a small area on the spine top. No internal markings. Dustjacket has moderate edgewear which includes small tears and light crease lines. There are two small chips out at the head and tail of the spine. Spine shows some soiling / darkening. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 443 pages .

New York: Simon & Schuster. Near Fine in Very Good+ dust jacket. 1961. First Edition; First Printing. Hardcover. Stated first printing. Blue cloth lightly stained. Slight offset to endpages. Red topstain a bit faded. Slight spine lean. Unmarked copy. Jacket in mylar has price of $5.95, shallow chipping to spine ends, a touch of toning/soil to folds. Housed in a fine custom clamshell case. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall .

New York: Simon and Schuster.. Very Good+ with no dust jacket. 1961. First Edition; First Printing. Softcover. ADVANCE READING COPY. Very good+ or better copy in white printed wrappers. (Faintly discernible damping at bottom fore edge running through most the book. Not at all messy. Trace of toning at unprinted spine and front cover. Mild crease at bottom edge of rear cover. ) Uncommon advance issue of the author's acclaimed FIRST book. ; 5 1/2" X 8 1/4" .

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1961. First edition, first printing. Hardcover. Near fine/very good. 443pp. Octavo [22 cm] in blue cloth. Very light wear to jacket; slight faiding to spine, very light soiling to boards; interior is unmarked.

New York: Simon & Schuster, 1961. Book. Very Good. Hardcover. Signed by Author(s). 1st Edition. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. Light blue cloth, faded on spine. Slight wear to panels. Small spot on top stain. No marks or inscriptions. Signed by the author on a laid-in paper slip. In a very good/near fine unclipped ($5.95 price) dust jacket with small tears, light chipping and minor tape repairs to the reverse. DJ is bright with vibrant colors. A very attractive copy..

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1961. First Edition. Hardcover. Little needs to be said about this novel; it's one of the 20th century's most enduring works of fiction. Basis for the comical 1970 film directed by Mike Nichols, starring Alan Arkin, Bob Newhart, and Martin Balsam. A very nice copy of the first edition, in a somewhat problematic jacket. First Printing. Octavo (22cm); blue cloth with titles stamped in white on the spine; orange topstain; dustjacket; 443pp. Some rough erasure to front endpaper, else Near Fine, with the topstain still bright and without any rubbing or flaking to the white spine lettering. Dustjacket is unclipped, with rubbing and wear to the panels and along the edges, a few shallow chips at spine ends and cornertips, some short edge tears, and several clear tape mends on the verso; just Very Good.

New York: Simon & Schuster, 1961. First Edition. Very minor cloth staining; nearly fine in a dust jacket with light wear and interior edge mending.

New York: Simon & Schuster, 1961. Hardcover. Very Good/Good. First edition. Drink rings on the front board, else about near fine in a good plus dustwrapper with a few moderate chips. Author's first novel, whose satiric anti-war attitude set the tone for the 1960s, and whose title quickly became part of the language.

Simon & Schuster, 1961. Book. Near Fine. Hardcover. 1st Edition. Stated First Printing with $5.95 price on jacket. Author photo on rear panel of jacket. One-inch tear to jacket and two eighth-inch chips to spine ends of jacket, else light rubbing..

London: Jonathan Cape,, 1962. Octavo. Original proof wrappers, review label affixed to front wrapper. Four promotional postcards laid in. Spine sunned and a little cocked and creased, wrappers a little marked and dust soiled, very light rubbing to extremities, but a very good copy overall, entirely sound. One of the post-cards spotted. Scarce prepublication proof review copy of the first UK edition of Heller's masterpiece, this copy from the library (though without ownership inscription) of Sunday Times reviewer Philip Oakes (1925-2008), who began his journalistic career as a conscript in the Second World War, working on the troop newsletter. It is offered with four scarce postcards produced by Cape to advertise the book, each giving a portrait sketch of one of the characters with a pertinent quotation from the book.

New York, New York, U.S.A.: Simon and Schuster, 1961. Book. Good. Hardcover. Signed by Author(s). First Edition. 1961 Simon & Schuster TRUE STATED FIRST PRINTING of this classic novel **SIGNED** on a bookplate on the inside board.( Rolland Comstock collection) This copy is in GOOD +/ GOOD+ condition. The HB is solid but there is a long inscription onthe ffep where there was also some water which has caused very minor rippling along some of the top page edges. Otherwise a clean and tight copy with very minor bumps at the corners and a tad of fading at the spine. The DJ is price-clipped and Heller's bright. There is minor wear at the edges and spine ends and one tiny chip at the left top edge. A most excellent copy! **Brenbooks specializes in books made into films. VERY RARE!.

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1961. Advance Reading Copy. Very Good+. Advance reading copy, preceding the first edition. 443 pp. Wraps. Very Good+ with toning to wraps, concavity to spine, light edge wear, rear endpaper has initials in light crayon. The rare advance issue for book reviewers and publishing industry figures of Heller's first novel.

Simon and Schuster, 1961. 2nd Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine. A near fine second printing signed by Heller on the title page in a near fine price clipped dust jacket that is identical to the first printing dust jacket.

NY: Simon & Schuster, 1961. This is the true first edition of the book in the first state dust jacket with the price of $5.95 on the front flap of the jacket and no blurb on rear panel. Bound in blue cloth, stamped in white. . A very collectible bright and clean with just a tiny bit of wear to edges of flaps of dust jacket. Light fading to top edge of page, but overall, a beautiful copy of a true twentieth century Literary Classic. Signed by the author on a 3" x 5" card that is laid in. 443 pp.. Signed Card Laid In.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Near Fine/Very Good ++.

New York: Simon & Schuster. 1961. First Edition; Twelfth Printing. Hardcover. Book condition is Very Good; with a Very Good dust jacket. Text is clean and unmarked. ; Signed and inscribed by the author, Joseph Heller, on the front end page. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; Signed by Author .

First American edition, first impression (Simon and Schuster, 1961). Jacket design by Paul Bacon. Adapted into a popular TV series in 2019. Publisher's original blue cloth with white lettering to spine. Some offsetting to endpapers; edges a little rubbed with light marking to lower board and mild toning to edges; '.50' written in red biro at top corner of front endpaper, contents very nice and clean otherwise. The original and unclipped dust jacket seems to have some minor and discreet restoration work to spine head and corners; some instances of rubbing to upper panel; a couple of repaired small tears to top edge and very small blue biro inscription to reverse corner of front flap. A very good copy overall or better.

New York: Simon & Schuster, 1961. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. First edition, first printing stated. Very Good, with long previous owner gift inscription to front free end paper, hinge at rear of text block slightly exposed, bottom corners bumped and bottom page corners lightly creased, in a Good, lightly tattered dust jacket with publisher's price of $5.95 intact, rubbing, edge wear with chipping at the spine ends, several short edge tears and a cup ring indent on the front panel.

NY: Modern Library, 1966 Signed by Heller on title-page. Slight crinkling to fly-leaf. DJ has fading down backstrip, slight rubbings on front along fore-edge, light shelf wear top/bottom of backstrip. . Signed by Author. First Edition. Cloth. Almost Fine/Very Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Modern Literature.

New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. 1961. Hardcover. Good, very light edge wear and soil to the edges in DJ; INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR To Marilyn Reiss, actress and publicist for Bing Crosby and others, dated 1975. DJ is not price-clipped, minor edge wear; 3rd Ptg; Blue cloth; 8vo; DJ .

New York: Simon & Schuster,, 1961. NF/VG. Stated First Printing edition. In clean blue cloth HC with light pink/orange topstain and a very clean and bright blue/white/red dj with a full-page photographic portrait of Heller on the rear cover which shows a long internally tape-repaired tear from the top down to about the left eye of Mr. Heller. Non-clipped dj with the original price of $5.95 on the bottom of th e front flap. Attractive po ex-libris bookplate on the ffep. VERY minor chips off the top of the dj. Highly collectible.. STATED FIRST PRINTING. Near Fine/Very Good.

Simon and Schuster, 1961. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. Published in New York by Simon and Schuster in 1961. Third Printing stated on copyright page. This copy is INSCRIBED by the author to author Kaye Gibbons on the title page, "To Kaye and Frank--/ Hostess and host./ Thanks and good wishes./ Joseph Heller/ April 14, 1995/ Raleigh, N.C." Book very good, wear at ends of spine and corners, rubbing and soiling on spine, soiling on both covers, and discoloration/soiling on paste-downs and free endpapers. DJ very good, chipping at ends of spine and corners, small hole in real spine hinge, 1" tear at tail of front spine hinge and resulting crease, some small tears and creases on edges, darkening to flap hinges, and soiling on front, rear, and cover. DJ price reads $5.95. We will provide a certificate of authenticity for this item.

London: Jonathan Cape, 1962. [Wartime satire] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (21 x14cm), pp.443; [1]. Publisher's red cloth, gilt titles to spine, top edge tinted green, second issue dust-jacket, with five reviews replacing the section of the text reprinted on the rear cover. Slightest sign of shelf wear to the cloth. Dust-jacket shows very well with just a couple of thumb marks to the rear panel, slight toning to the spine, and a little creasing to the top edge. Near fine. American author and former combat pilot Joseph Heller's defining work; the satirical anti-war novel, set in Italy during the Second World War.

UK: Cape, 1962. 1st Edition 1962. 2nd state wrapper. A absolute stunning book and wrapper. Book is fine with bright boards. Contents very nice. Very feint tape burns to endpapers. The complete wrapper is fine and clean. Price clipped. PLEASE DOUBLE CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE. Digital images available upon request. Ref 3256. First Edition. Cloth. Fine/Fine. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall.

Franklin Center, Pennsylvania: Franklin Library. 1978. First Edition; First Printing. Hardcover. Near Fine. Leather bound, Accented in 22kt gold. Printed on archival paper with gilded edges. The endsheets are of moire fabric with a silk ribbon page marker. Smyth sewing and concealed muslin joints. This book is in full leather with hubbed spines. A Limited Edition. ; Signed Limited First Edition. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; Signed by Author .

no place, no date. [Modern literature] Typescript beginning "It was love at first sight", taken from the opening chapter 'The Texan' of the classic war satire 'Catch-22' by Joseph Heller. Comprises 15 lines of text below general title, author's name and chapter heading. Signed at foot in black ink by Joseph Heller. A4 size, ideal for framing. Fine condition without folds. Although primarily classified as an anti-war novel, Catch-22 is also a critique of bureaucracy in general. The title has since entered the English language, representing a cyclical conundrum or a 'no win' situation.

London: Jonathan Cape, 1962. First Edition. Hardcover. Fine. London, Jonathan Cape, 1962 (first UK edition). Octavo; red papered boards, top edge green, with the second-state dustwrapper (unclipped, but the price has the original new bookseller's printed tape label over it, and this has offset very lightly onto the front flyeaf); essentially a very fine copy with the very fine dustwrapper. The rear panel of this dustwrapper carries quotes from five reviews, replacing the 28-line excerpt from the book featured on the first-state dustwrapper.