Description:

Henry Miller
various, ca. 1945-1962
Henry Miller Archive With Great Literary Content Incl.: "The Rosy Crucifixion," "Tropics," & "Black Spring" - 7 pcs
Archive
An archive of seven items either autographed by or related to American author Henry Miller (1891-1980), all addressed to fellow writer and poet Selden Rodman (1909-2002), ca. 1945-1962. Various places including Big Sur, California and Pacific Palisades, California. The lot includes autograph letters signed and autograph notes signed as "Henry Miller" and "HM." Please refer to catalog photos for additional information related to condition, which is overall very good. The largest piece measures 8.5" x 11."

All of the items in the archive are from the collection of Selden Rodman, a prolific American writer of poetry, plays and prose, political commentary, art criticism, Latin American and Caribbean history, biography and travel writing. Publishing more than 40 books, he also founded "The Harkness Hoot" at Yale University in the early 1930s before traveling to Europe and integrating himself with the literary giants there, including Pound, Joyce, and Mann. Upon his return to New York, he co-edited "Common Sense" magazine, which Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. stated became "the most lively and interesting forum of radical discussion in the country." He is known for the conversations and letters he had with some of the premiere literary and art figures of his time, many of which are housed at Yale, as well as his love and promotion of Haitian and other folk art.

The lot includes:

1. A 1p autograph letter signed by Henry Miller as "Henry Miller" at its conclusion, written at a 45 degree angle along the left margin; and also pencil-signed as "HM" on a postscript verso. January 18, 1952. N.p. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds, and a smudge to the "ller" of Miller's signature. 8.5" x 11."

In part: "The meaning of title is simple - through suffering one blossoms! at the head of the cross is the mystic rose of the Rosicrucian. The book ['The Rosy Crucifixion'] is a continuation and completion (summation) of the 'Tropics' and 'Black Spring'. In short, religion extols Christ crucified. But it is the risen Christ that is important, not the suffering Jesus. And we are all Christs, whether we know it or not. Just as Zen teaches that it is useless to seek the Buddha - you are the Buddha, once you realize it. This is not for publication. I hope it is clear. What I have to prove is the truth of this - by living is that I am! Maybe 'Plexus' (vol. 2 of Rosy Crux.) will come out in English one day, in Paris. Then you'll see better what I mean - in the last pages of that volume…"

2. A 1p autograph letter signed by Henry Miller as "Henry Miller" at its conclusion. July 24, 1962. [Pacific Palisades, California.] Two of Miller's hand-stamped address label imprints are located at top. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds and a rusted paper clip impression at the upper left corner. 8.5" x 11."

Miller discusses Rodman's "The Heart of Beethoven," published earlier that year: "Too damn much to read - can't keep up!" and that "one result of reading you is that I have ordered the 'Hammerklavier' [Piano Sonata No. 29] - haven't heard it for 25 years or more. Much of Beethoven I can't swallow any more. He's been done to death." He also discusses never meeting Karl Shapiro.

3. A 1p autograph letter regarding Henry Miller. N.d., n.p. With some scorching in the margins, some loss of letters, as is not unusual for material from the Rodman archive. Regarding Henry Miller.

4.-6. Three postcards, one dated September 25, 1945 regarding forwarding a letter; one dated January 10, 1952 regarding sending six prints of a photo Rodman took "I like it!!"; and one undated but postmarked September 17, 1945, that is somewhat faded. All autograph letters signed as "Henry Miller."

7. A salmon-colored sheet advertising the Permanent Exhibition of Water Colors from Morn to Midnight at the Green House, with some scorching, including a part of Miller's handwritten text in green ink, boldly signed as "Henry Miller." N.d., n.p.

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This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: largest piece measures 8.5." x 11"
  • Medium: Archive

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