The Library of Roger Wagner - PBA Galleries

161. miller, henry. Tropic of Cancer - folder with correspondece from director Joe Strick and others discussing
the film. Includes multiple ALs and TLs from director Joe Strick, TLs from Attorney Edward Blau
regarding legal matters, typed letters from Paramount, clippings regarding controversy of the film,
etc.
Various places: 1967-1969
Technical and legal correspondence relating to the film version of the controversial book.
Joe Strick writes in a letter to Miller dated April 25, 1969, signed “Joe”: “Your misgivings
concerning the alteration of sequences and transpositions is certainly justified from the overall
vision that you have of the book. My vision has to be quite separate since the form is different.
As you say, reading a book is quite different from seeing the film...You are absolutely right
that the amount and nature of the narration is very dangerous. I can only defend it by saying
I think I can make it work and I’ll throw it out if it doesn’t...The sections that you have called
“diatribes” when we’ve talked, are terribly important to me...I would like your role on the film to
be twofold: most important, to help us in the conception of the film by suggesting ways to do
things...I don’t expect you to sit down and write scenes by your notions could be terribly helpful
to us...”. This file is of letter-size material, and there is a reference to other legal documents that
are no longer included with the archive. Very good.
(300/500)
162. miller, henry. Tropic of Cancer - collection of film contracts, rights and negotiations. 2 legal-sized folder
containing carbon copies of typed letters, contracts, etc. as well as photocopies of the same, and of
payment notices, checks, etc.
Various places: 1969-1970
Papers include contracts signed by Henry Miller, letters from studio executives and agents, check
stubs, publisher quitclaims (Grove Press), and much more - an interesting archive, should be
seen. Very good.
(600/900)
MILLER’S HANDPRINTS FOR ANALYSIS
163. miller, henry. Two handprints by Miller (right & left hand). Two handprints by Miller (right and
left hand) on separate 8x11 paper, each initialed & dated by him 9/57. Together with photocopies
and copy of a 1966 report on Miller by handwriting analyst Dorothy Sara, with Miller’s holograph
filing instructions attached.
No place: 1957 and 1966
Lot 163
Page 79
The handwriting analyst
found Miller to be “a man of
good taste, intellectual quality
of mind, and the ability to
translate his ideas into words
and action...he has a broadminded
attitude toward people
and situations...He has a quick
wit, he likes being with people
who have alert minds so there
can be a stimulating exchange
of ideas....”An interesting lot
- the two signed palmprints
would look great framed. Very
good.
(1200/1800)