The Library of Roger Wagner - PBA Galleries

LETTERS TO HENRY MILLER FROM SECOND WIFE JUNE
177. corBeTT, June mAnsfielD [miller]. 29 autograph letters signed to Henry Miller from his second wife, June.
29 ALs (mostly one page) to Henry Miller from his second wife, June (represented by his characters
“Mona” & “Mara”, among others, in his novels), who was with him and Anaïs Nin in Paris during the
time Miller was working on Tropic of Cancer.
Forest Hills, NY: [1966-1972]
Many of the letters complain of ill health & poverty, some delve into the past, a few are difficult
to read because of ink bleeding. From one: “When I left with you for [Paris?] I was running
away from a situation that had reached its peak...” From another: “Henry - this is to explain
more that I simply acted as a buffer of the world surrounding you - I tried at the time to explain
- I could not understand Anais or anyone’s influence - I could not & still do not understand
your ---...I still am unequipped to write and explain anything - for me the world dropped. I sat
through the nights with a stranger who assumed a p-- of nonsense, who used the excuse of
making love to me but lacked the understanding - all...” From yet another, “I tuned in to Merv
Griffin and heard and saw you, and you looked younger, more beautiful than anyone on the
program. It confirms all my beliefs, that you are the saint, the master that I believed in....” From
the last, “I really have no idea. I hope that you make sense of all that has happened. I don’t. All
my love, always, June.” Accompanied by a 1-page T.L.s. from Bill Allen, Dept. of Social Welfare,
& 4 letters (2 typed, all signed) from Annette & James Baxter, all long-time friends of both
Henry and June, regarding June’s welfare, & discussing Henry’s continuous financial support
of her, 1971-72. A fine, important archive of letters from the woman who aided and abetted
Miller’s and Nin’s genius in their early Paris years - both wrote often about June. Near fine.
(4000/6000)
Lot 177
Page 84