The Library of Roger Wagner - PBA Galleries

NORMAN MAILER ON HIS BOOK ABOUT HENRY MILLER
189. mAiler, normAn. Two-page typed letter signed from Norman Mailer to Henry Miller. 2 page TLs from
Norman Mailer in regards to his book about Henry Miller called “Genius and Lust.” 11x8½.
No place: May 8, 1976
Mailer begins by explaining his reasons for titling the book as he did (“I think of you more
as a monarch than a demiurge...”) and his hopes that the book will interest youth in Miller:
“You’re tremendously admired in the colleges,
and I know what I’m talking about because
I must have lectured to make my living (I’m
in a miserably opposite situation financially
from your own, which is that I make as much
as two thousand dollars a year, year after
year, and never have a cent, and now owe the
government one hundred thousand bucks,
owing not only to my disorder and hoggishness
but to the comprehensible lack of mercy
in my five ex-wives and my seven splendid
children - you’re one of the few people in the
world who will perceive the epic, the comedy,
and the grind of such finances)...I’m working
on my novel now and don’t dare go too near
other novels when I write. It’s lack of a skin
to protect myself against other people’s styles
and ideas, particularly if they’re good. Besides,
what a fearful novel I’m into. Its about Egypt in
the Twentieth Dynasty, about 1140 B.C. In the
language of rock climbers I feel as if I’m in a
Lot 189
Page 89
chimney which is a mile high and am working
my way up inch by inch. Piles of soot, tons
of Egyptian bat shit. Cheers, Norman.” Rust
from former paperclip, else near fine, with Miller’s small “File” note to upper corner; near fine.
(1000/1500)
190. mAiler, normAn. Two-page typed letter signed, to Henry Miller, with holograph corrections. 2 page TLs
from Norman Mailer to Henry Miller, with holograph corrections by Mailer. In original typed mailing
envelope.
Brooklyn: Dec. 23, 1977
Mailer writes to greet Miller at Christmas & New Year’s, and to discuss the paperback design
of Genius and Lust: “I hope you like the print of Ingres on the paperback since that was my
choosing. They were going to put on a painting of a half-nude babe that would have left the
book indistinguishable from five hundred other schlock paperbacks and I said, `Let’s try that
old conservation Monsieur Ingres.’ To my surprise, they went along. Of course, you may not
like it particularly...Incidentally, Norris Church (the red-headed lady who did that portrait of you
for the hardcover) and I are going to have a baby in April. The will make my eighth kid and my
sixth wife - married and unmarried. We’re not alike in many ways, but a similarity here and there,
perhaps....” Creases from folding; else fine.
(500/800)
The Buyer’s Premium will be 20% for bids up to $100,000
and 15% for that portion over $100,000.