Nov 21, 2013 - Sale 2332

Sale 2332 - Lot 200

Unsold
Estimate: $ 2,000 - $ 3,000
MILLER, HENRY. Archive of Signed Correspondence to Barbara Kraft. 9 Autograph Letters Signed ("Henry," "Henry Miller" or "H.M."), all but one on his stationery, 8vo, sheet, all but one addressed "Dear Barbara"; 2 Typed Letters Signed on his stationery; 2 Autograph Postcards Signed; ephemera including 1 telegram and 9 hand addressed mailing envelopes, with Miller's letterpress name and address, to fellow writer Kraft; fine, usual folds. Pacific Palisades, CA.: 1977-1980
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February 24, 1978: "First off – you are a wonderful writer! I only read (in the book) the first pages you indicated. Am now on the second batch. Let me tell you immediately that, though your styles differ, you are as good or better than A.N. [Anais Nin]. You are more literary. You know the language better and can wield it more effectively. (I had to laugh at your invitation of an H.M. live. You still steered away from using the obvious word). I begin more and more to realize that women have a language all their own, a feminine language. And they are not afraid of men.s words but simply eschew them! Right? A.N. was excellent in that post-mortem Erotica book, don.t you think? What 'elegant' language!"
August 1, 197[9]: 'The other day I had a wonderful unexpected visit from Jack Garfein of the Actors. Lab. Hadn't seen him for months. He is always wonderful to talk to and be with. (Tho, I understand from the fair sex, he is a 'lady killer.') Anyway, I find him an inspiration. During course of our conversation I discovered he not only has an Actors. Lab in N.Y. but also now owns a small new theatre in the new reconstructed section of 42nd St. And, how could I have done it – I forgot completely to tell him of your play. (He asked to see the copy of Bert's mag with your article on meeting me in the flesh at his L.A. Lab. I know your writing will impress him.) So I write now to suggest that you write him about your play, would he care to read it, etc. (His great friend is Harold Clurman, theatre critic. Both are reading my play now.)."
Additionally the archive contains a TLS from Alfred Perlès to Miller (May 23, 1980); aerogramme, written ten days before Miller's death ("What the letter implies is that you're on the point of dying, though the words actually used are that you're 'leaving the planet.' Well, Joey, you're not going to leave the planet, no matter what you do, even [if] you die and are cremated, for even then the smoke that has been your physical entity won't get out of the precinct of the planet. But hair-splitting aside, let me tell you in so far as I (and probably a few million others) am concerned, you won't be dead, even if you do die.") and TLsS to Kraft from Eugène Ionesco, astrologer Sydney Omarr and Norman Mailer.
This archive makes for an elucidative view of Henry Miller at a time when he lived in semi-retirement in Pacific Palisades. The letters to Kraft reflect his varied interests and include his glowing comments on her writing, his love of classical music, comments on his past and present reading, as well as en passant comments on members of his intimate circle including Anaïs Nin, Jack Garfein, Irving Stettner, John Martin and others, and attests to the still-active engagement Miller maintained right up to his passing in 1980.