Thomas Pynchon Promotional Broadside

[Dave Monroe]

On 7/11/08, rich <richard.romeo at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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...."

Did anyone even know he'd been chosen for this?  Then turned it down?
The only directly related Google hits I get are for this book ...