The Library of Roger Wagner - PBA Galleries

123. miller, henry. Preface for New, Revised Translation of Capricorn (in French) - 2 page typescript with
holograph corrections by Miller. 2 page carbon typescript with holograph corrections by Henry Miller.
No place: 1972
This preface to the revised French edition of Tropic of Capricorn has never been published
in English. With holograph note by Miller in upper corner of first page: “Sent to Georges
Belmont 1/31/72.” Rust marks from paperclip; else about fine.
(200/300)
124. miller, henry. On Turning Eighty - 2 carbon copy drafts with holograph corrections by Miller. 2 carbon
drafts (9 pp. and 11 pp.) with holograph corrections by Miller.
No place: [1972]
The early corrected drafts of Miller’s essay on growing older, with reflections on his life behind
and ahead. Faint rust from paperclips; very good.
(200/300)
MILLER REVIEWS JONG’S FEAR OF FLYING
125. miller, henry. Schlock or Literature? - 2 page holograph manuscript article signed with Miller’s initials.
2 page holograph manuscript article, signed with Henry Miller’s initials, written for the Los Angeles
Times Book Review section. Accompanied by two ALs from Erica Jong to Henry Miller, one 13
pages (11/18/74), the other one page, enclosing John Updike’s review of the book.
No place: May 25, 1975
Lot 125
Page 63
The article reviews Erica Jong’s Fear of Flying.
Miller begins, “Well, well, so Herr Prelutsky
thinks ‘Fear of Flying’ a lot of schlock...
Naturally a book which sells in the millions
is going to be misinterpreted by thousands.
As the ‘dean of American literature’ today I
must say that this book is literature, and not
schlock...I am doing all I can to champion
the book. I want to see it read all over the
world. The style is natural, free flow. Just the
contrary of Hemingway’s studied prose which
so many Americans consider ‘good writing.’
This is a book which the British have published
cautiously. Apparently their mildewed critics
don’t cotton to it. For them, it’s not a woman’s
book. But it is a woman’s book, very definitely
so. And it speaks to women, as the thousands
of fan letters she receives, testifies. It is more
than that. It is a book. Perhaps not the greatest
of the century, but a damned good piece of
honest writing, whether by man, woman or
hyena.” Miller became close friends with Jong
when she began a correspondance with him,
and both of her letters here intimately discuss
Fear of Flying and its huge controversy. Rust
from paperclip, else near fine.
(1200/1800)
126. miller, henry. Fuck Away, Fuck Away! - 25 line pornographic poem. 25 line poem typed carbon with
one holograph correction in red ink.
No place: [1975]
One of only a handful of poems Miller would write in his lifetime, this one is, alas, unquotable
here. Very good.
(250/350)