Thomas Pynchon Promotional Broadside

[rich]

this I just found:

http://sweetbooks.com/p.htm

PYNCHON, Thomas. Mason and Dixon. NY: Henry Holt, (1997). Hardbound in
dust jacket. First edition. Presentation copy inscribed by Pynchon to
William Plumley, head of the University of Charleston award committee
that chose Pynchon for their Appalachian Medallion: "For William
Plumley, With appreciation and thanks. Thomas Pynchon." TOGETHER WITH
a Typed Letter Signed from Pynchon declining the award and presenting
the book. One quarto page on Mason and Dixon letterhead dated June 23,
1997, in full: "Dear Mr. Plumley, Regretfully, I must decline the
Appalachian Medallion. Rationally or otherwise, I have a history of
trying to avoid, whenever possible, all such awards. I am grateful to
you for the chance to do so ahead of time, as well as for the honor,
of course, of even being thought of on the same list as Eudora Welty
and Robert Penn Warren. I do, however, hope that you will accept, with
my thanks, the copy of Mason and Dixon enclosed. Part of the novel is
set in Appalachia---I've tried in it to remain true to the spirit of
the region and the people, whom I continue to admire and respect.
Yours truly, Thomas Pynchon." Books signed by Pynchon seldom surface
on the market and autograph material by him is among the most
difficult of any living author. There have been a few known instances
where he's donated a signed book to a charity auction, but genuine
presentation copies of his books are truly rare, and rarer still is
Pynchon correspondence---and this letter is especially nice. Along
with the literary references and mention of his own book, Pynchon
explains his ethos of anonymity that has caused him to studiously
avoid awards, interviews, and photographs throughout his career. A
search of auction records shows no evidence of a Pynchon letter ever
having appeared at auction. A superb pair of Pynchon items, the only
inscribed book with a presentation letter that we know of. Fine.
SKB-13851
$37500

Rich

On Fri, Jul 11, 2008 at 1:50 PM, Dave Monroe <against.the.dave at gmail.com> wrote:
> For sale: Thomas Pynchon promotional broadside celebrating the
> appearance of Gravity's Rainbow. "DEAR THOMAS PYNCHON, WE THOUGHT
> YOU'D LIKE TO SEE THE FIRST REVIEWS FOR YOUR BOOK!" Single sheet,
> measuring 17 by 22 inches. It is illustrated in black and white with
> the front panel and spine of the dust jacket for the first edition of
> Gravity's Rainbow. In addition the broadside prints excerpts from some
> reviews of Thomas Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow. Folded a few times,
> else fine. Same item lists on abebooks for $575.
>
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280244927801
>