HENRY MILLER
Substantial Autograph Letter Signed, 8vo, on verso of ALS by wife Eve McClure, Vienne, France, March 7, 1953
Autograph Letter Signed to Bob [Finkelstein, referred to as Bob Fink] on verso of Autograph Letter Signed from Miller’s fourth wife, Eve [McClure] to Edie and Bob [Finkelstein], March 7, 1953, Vienne, France, each one page, 4to. Bob [Robert] Finkelstein [later, called Fink] was a fan, correspondent and benefactor of Miller’s. He and he wife, Edie [Edith] became friends with Miller and his wife, Eve, in the 1940s. In 1949 Bob and Edie moved to Los Angeles and spent many weekends in Big Sur with Henry Miller and his wife. Henry Miller’s letter is a friendly letter with references to his work, including various international editions, as well as references to his finances and politics. The letter begins, “Good news on Income tax – save my old reports, please! I paid social security last time too – for the first time. Leave in a week for Paris. Then to Brussels – after I see the Judge about “Sexus.” [Originally published in Paris in 1949, “Sexus” was banned the following year. The publisher was fined and given a prison sentence.] (Brentano has a number of copies... Plexus will go thru [sic] now in English. And Correa wants Hamlet for French version. The Germans are selling Cancer – de luxe – going good. Capricorn out this summer, in German... and “World of Sex.” And “Smile” in French. Getting dizzy....” Miller talks about how much he likes where he is staying, but says, “Keep your ears cocked (and cable us) if you get news of war. Expect it to come before summer... Stalin’s death doesn’t help any... Hope to run down to Perigueux to see the man who interprets Nostradamus. To me the catastrophe seems terribly imminent....” Signed, “Henry.” Neither this letter nor the letter on the back from Eve appear to be published. On the verso is Eve’s letter to Edie and Bob which is also a friendly letter with political and economic references. She refers to Gerhart Muench, composer and pianist. In part, “Most interesting, your reports on “concert Meunch”... and your ideas... on the ‘success’ motif. It seems in line with all i’ve [sic[ learned about him... I wonder how he’d find this Europe of today... the economy is all haywire... H. [Henry Miller] is still convinced all hell’s going to break loose – and soon... Stalin’s death may only hasten the things....” She talks of Vienne being a “marvel,” seeing Roman relics, and an upcoming visit to a monastery where only men will be able to go inside. “I’ll ‘see’ it, anyhow! Taste the product with m’eyes!” Signed, “Eve.” In a letter that Henry Miller wrote to Bruno Adriani on July 31, 1949, Muench is also discussed. Miller reports that Muench lives in Altadema and invites Miller regularly to visit.
Item #2582
Price: $2,100.00