Miller, Henry

Tropic of Capricorn

New York, NY, USA: Grove Press Inc., 1962. First Edition Thus. "Once you have given up the ghost, everything follows with dead certainty, even in the midst of chaos..." (Tropic of Capricorn pg. 9) This semi-autobiographical novel by American novelist, short story writer and essayist Henry Miller (1891-1980), first published by Obelisk Press in Paris in 1939, serves as a prequel to his 1934 Tropic of Cancer. His wife of 10 years June (1902-1979) is the “her” referred to in the dedication, and he designated it “the June book” early on in the writing process. Their marriage ended between the writing and the publication, due to June running off to Paris, France with their shared lover, American novelist Anaïs Nin (1903-1977). Both Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn were banned in the United States until the 1961 American Justice Department obscenity trial that freed Miller’s writing from censorship under the first amendment. The novel had been smuggled in, of course, to some extent, and the controversy only boosted interest. We have determined this copy to be a second American edition according to Shifreen & Jackson (A2aa, pg 95), and was the first Grove Press edition. Grove Press was also known for publishing other "obscene" works from authors like Beat Generation Founding Father William S. Burroughs (1914-1997; Naked Lunch; see Item No. 2889), English novelist D.H. Lawrence (1885-1930; Lady Chatterley's Lover), and Irish playwright Samuel Beckett (1906-1989; Waiting for Godot). From the collection of scholar, poet and our dear friend Robin Eichele (b. 1941), noted Mimeograph Revolutionary & co-founder of the Detroit Artists' Workshop with the late, great John Sinclair (1941-2024). At half-title page Eichele has signed his ownership name in black felt tip marker, ("Robin Eichele"). "Eichele" is somewhat stained from upper edge of text block. Hardcover with unclipped dust jacket: Second American Edition per Shiffreen & Jackson, first printing per copyright page. A truly unique and highly collectible edition of Henry Miller’s cult favorite with extremely distinguished provenance. Book in relatively near fine condition with mild rubbing and scratching to front, back covers & spine; mild-to-moderate bumping to the edges and corners of same; minor age-toning to bottom & side, with an intense case of staining mostly to green-dyed top of text block; minor trickle-down effect staining to side of same. Interior fine with mild age-toning mostly to blank margins/fine edges of pages; moderate staining mostly to the top edge of some leaves, most specifically leaves 143-153. Dust jacket near fine with mild-to-moderate age-toning, rubbing and scratching to front, back covers & spine; small enclosed tears and minor chipping mostly to fine edges and corners of same; minor staining from aforementioned ownership signature to top fine edge of front flap; same as back flap from upper rear back page. Near Fine / Near Fine. [Item #8278]

Price: $80.00