The Collected Library: Summer Reading

8vo. Original pinkish-orange wrappers, upper cover with printed paper labels (spine faded with a few discrete repairs, rusted staples removed and resewn). Provenance: Henry Miller (1891-1980), American author (signed bookplate and recipient of author's inscription); Eve Miller (notation above inscription: "Eve's copy"); sold to W.L. Godshalk, of the University of Cincinnati, and C. Sligh, at the University of Virginia, by Valentine Miller and Tony Miller, through Lee Perron Fine Books, on 22 July 2005 (see following lot for provenance list).

FIRST EDITION, PROOF COPY. INSCRIBED BY DURRELL TO HENRY MILLER: "Henry, [illegible] this proof copy to you to read: copy of book will come to you anyhow - Love, Larry."

[With:] DURRELL. Typed letter signed ("Larry"), to Henry Miller, Gard France, 2 August 1981. 2pp., 8vo, on personal letterhead. Durrell writes in part: "Dear Henry; A quick wish for 77, and may it bring you everything you feel you want - it is difficult to imagine what except perhaps a French meal. May it not bring you any more critics like Mailer with his advice and consent style and all these windy garage swallowing excuses for not thinking. I hope he is sharing his royalties with you at least, having gutted three of your books to make a Roman holiday...What luck you have with these windy Jewish pickpockets. By contrast you poet Frenchman has written the best book on you yet...if you write to him will you tell him I have lost your address and that I vastly admire everything about his book, even the style which is fine and lucid and full of glows of insight. What a treat if he is doing Anais like this too..." Durrell adds in green ink: "As for Batrillat - what a little empty shit...and what an impertinence to use you like that! Never mind. It will all float down river to the sea!"

[With:] DURRELL. Autograph letter signed ("Larry") to Claude Smith Jr. of House of Books, San Juan, 14 March 1963. 1p., 4to, old folds, original mailing envelope. Durrell writes a somewhat scathing letter to a publisher. "You've had nearly 3 years to think about this book. We could have made a better job of it I feel." Durrell also discusses his plans with Henry Miller to publish an anthology.