Franklin Library leather edition of Joseph Heller's "Closing Time," a limited edition, Frontispiece by Lars Hokanson and Frances Cichetti, one of the SIGNED FIRST EDITION series, PERSONALLY SIGNED by JOSEPH HELLER, published in 1994.  Bound in green leather, the book has marbled paper end leaves, satin book marker, acid-free paper, Symth-sewn binding, hubbed spine, gold gilding on three edges---in near Fine condition. Joseph Heller, who lived from 1923 – 1999, was an American satirical novelist, short story writer, and playwright who was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of poor Jewish parents from Russia. With World War II looming, Heller enlisted in the US Army Air Corps, where he served as a bombardier in 1942. Two years later he was sent to the Italian Front, where he flew 60 combat missions. After WW II, Heller completed his MA and taught English at Penn State for a couple of years.   Cynically comic and bitingly satiric, "Closing Time" brings back several character from "Catch 22" as well as introduces many new ones. Yossarian, the bombardier who tried to get out of the Air Force due to insanity, is a public relations consultant, sure that he is sick but perfectly healthy.  MILO MINDERBINDER, the black-marketeer of "Catch 22" is selling the government a "Stealth-type" bomber that can't be seen or heard. CHAPLAIN TAPPMAN has been "kidnapped" by the government because he is passing heavy water---a highly sought after material needed for nuclear bombs. Sammy Singer is a lonely widower trying to keep himself buy by visiting a dying friend. New characters include MELISSA MACINTOSH, YOSSARIAN's nurse and lover; Frances Beach, Yossarian's friend, ex-lover and socialite fund-raiser; James Gaffney, a private detective who can discover events before they happen; a video-game-loving President who can't be sworn in because no Supreme Court Justice is willing to swear in such an incompetent.  "Closing Time" is also a bittersweet look at the close of the century. The novel is convoluted and involves a society-wedding in New York's bus station, Yossarian's extreme paranoia, invisible-planes, and a chaplain urinating "heavy water." The novel is absurd and uproarious.  In 'a Special message," Updike wrote:  "At the end of "Closing Time" Yossarian is still alive. He has traded in his military uniform for the official attire of a reputable business executive, and he has married, twice, and has four grown children.  He is almost fifty years older . . .Sooner or later, I must concede realistically, Yossarian, now seventy, will have to pass away too.  But it won't be by my hand." 464 pages---GORGEOUS! I offer Combined shipping.