The Library of Roger Wagner - PBA Galleries

186. JonG, ericA. Three autograph letters signed and 1 card from Erica Jong to Henry Miller. 3 ALs (2 in
original envelopes). Plus 1 photographic announcing the birth of her daughter.
New York: 1974-1980
Jong writes of wanting to return to California, and says, “I enjoyed meeting you more than I
can say - & I love the signed print you gave me...I loved the whole Miller ménage: Twinka, Val,
Connie, Tony...Dinner at the Imperial Gardens was a delight. Hoki later gave me a tape of her
songs (I nearly wrote `poems’) & I was enchanted by it. It makes the whole `Insomnia’ story
become realer somehow...I asked my paperback publisher - NAL - to send you 25 copies of
Fear of Flying...Meanwhile, the TV networks (NBC, CBS, ABC) refuse to carry ads for Fear of
Flying - & won’t give any explanation. Since I returned to NY, I’ve been talking to lawyers about
censorship. Apparently, it’s thought to be a dirty book. How boring! (I thought those battles had
been won years ago.)...” The 1978 letter is 5 holograph pages & encloses xeroxes of numerous
typed poems by Jong. She begins, “Of course I’ll try to think of something persuasive to
write the Nobel Committee. Who deserves it more than you? I fear, though, that because they
recently gave it to an American (Saul Bellow), they won’t want another American so soon.
Probably they are looking for some Latvian goatherd who writes obscure poems in a dialect
spoken by only 3 (very elderly) people. Some of their selections are truly idiotic - & most of the
greatest writers of all time have been neglected in favor of hacks....” Jong goes on to write about
her newborn baby & future work. The last letter is really just a brief one, again regarding the
Nobel Prize. A nice group from an important association late in Miller’s life Near fine.
(300/500)
187. JonG, ericA. Chatty 3-page typed letter signed, to Henry Miller about Jong’s life in general, and book fallout.
3 page TLs on personal letter head. 11x8½.
New York: June 16, 1976
Jong writes about hating life in New York, missing Malibu terribly, a mutual friend with a drug
overdose, and her book/film project: “...I think I am emerging from this long depression about
the lawsuit and the movie. The worst part of it was that I was manipulated by con men who I
really trusted (the lawyers and agents) and used as a pawn in a power struggle. I felt as if I had
been shorn of all my own motivation, and I feel that I never should have gotten involved in
the film or the lawsuit at all...My new book How to Save Your Own Life is in the works and
will be published in March, 1977. It has been sold to an English publisher...and there is a lot of
excitement about it. I would love you to read it, but I know your eyesight isn’t so hot...I think
I am going to ask the publisher to send a galley to you. I would love to be able to use your
comments - particularly the remark that it is too erotic....” Fine.
(400/600)
188. JonG, ericA. East-West Blues: A New Yorker Goes West - 23 page carbon typescript. 23-page carbon
typescript of the piece Jong wrote for Four Visions of America, published by Capra Press.
No place: No date
Inscribed and signed by Jong to Henry Miller on the front page, and additionally signed by her
at the end. Holograph note in Miller’s hand to upper left corner. Fine.
(200/300)
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Or bid during the auction using the Real-Time Bidder.
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