The Library of Roger Wagner - PBA Galleries

NOTEBOOK FROM PARIS YEARS INCLUDING TWO WATERCOLORS
98. miller, henry. Paris Notebook - large notebook with 19 leaves filled out by Miller, including two watercolors.
About 19 pages of manuscript notes, including 2 original watercolors. The most important information
and watercolors by Miller date from 1937-39, though at least one later page is dated 1950, and there
are several child’s drawings by Miller’s daughter, Val, on later leaves (dated by Miller 1951). 15½x11,
original wrappers, detached.
[Paris]: [1937-39] and [1950-51]
Miller’s “Paris Notebook” contains two lovely watercolors by him, and some fascinating
information: lists of where he sent manuscripts, lists of things to do, people to see (including
some well-known names) and pieces to write, with things accomplished crossed out in pencil
(still legible): “...Brassai - give me 6 copies of woman on the pot!...Kahane: Give me blank
books for A[naïs]’s diary & water-colors...Go thru folders of MSS. Anais returned for possible
good timber! Get circular letter printed
for 100 names, demanding money for
publishing venture. Buy Pen Knife!
Dedicate French version of ‘Aller
Retour NY’ to Blaise Cendrars - ‘the
first Frenchman to make me a royal
gesture!’...Print ‘Land of Fuck’ from
‘Capricorn’ privately at 100 frs. a copy -
for sale discreetly. Then, with proceeds,
print other things!....” In 1938, Miller
lapses into a page of daily doings
that is a wonderful window into his
world: “Feb. 10th. Do 5 pages a day
of Capricorn regularly - Day passed
going to movies with the Durrells!
Begin tomorrow!! 2/18/38 - not yet
begun!...Feb. 1939 - Do water-colors for
Gotham Book Mart!! Begin 2nd Volume
of Capricorn! Do regularly first thing
every day. Lawrence and other work on
the side! Get symbolic Geographic maps
on Quai - near Point Royal. Look for
cheap French edition of Claude Saint-
Martin’s ‘Le Crocodile’ et ‘L’Homme de
Désir.’ (Chacomac?) Get gouache tubes,
good paper, square brush & oil brushes.
Also heavy paper for oils....” Miller also
lists plans for better hygiene and quality
of life: “Hygiene: Resume morning
walks - around exterior Boulevards. Hot
baths frequently. Evian mineral water.
Lot 98
Page 51
Pain Hovis & yogurt daily. Good Wines
with Meals! Less salt & pepper - less
coffee. * Horlich’s malted milk shakes!
(Montparnasse). Take Enemas now & then. Reserve Sundays for painting - no work! * Stay in
bed whole day before tackling different work! (Meditate, contemplate - saturate). Grapefruit
more often!” Heavy extremity chipping and browning to fragile pages, many pages detached,
but none appear to be lacking, still an excellent early workbook, with most pages dated and two
exquisite watercolors.
(15000/20000)