V. question

[Dana]

This is my first venture into the list (well, the second, after
my first message landed in davemarc's mail instead).
I wanted to request some information regarding V.  I heard
last year that Pynchon once "insisted" that the title of his
first novel was not V but V.[period].  Has anyone heard this too?
and, if so, where?  I made this claim (or suggested it) in a conference paper
last year on V. but I think I should be more careful and provide
the source in my dissertation, if I can.   The reference, given its existence,
would be greatly appreciated and duly noted.
I was also wondering if anyone has commented (or would like to comment)
upon the painting on the cover (the harper edition, I think).

When I managed to get a copy across the border (no bookstore here
seems to have the rights to V.) I was surprised to see the cover.
The shift from the bantam edition's granite V. to the depiction of a
women in a cardinal's (?) gown made me feel better about my interpretation
of the text.  I know you can't judge a book....but the cover,in this
case, is of interest to me.
Well, thank you. Dana
p.s. sorry again, davemarc, whoever you are, for landing all of this
on you twice now.