SIXTEEN (16) AUTOGRAPH LETTERS AND POSTCARDS SIGNED from Miller to Rudolph Gilbert; [written from 1944 to 1945 while Miller was settling into life in Big Sur]

Big Sur, CA, 1944 - 1945. Eleven full-page handwritten letters (one on back of brochure for UK edition of MURDER THE MURDERER); one 2-page letter (front and back); an inscribed review-style photo; and 4 postcards. Most of the letters open with either "Dear Rudolph Gilbert" or "Dear friend Gilbert"; each one is signed in full. No envelopes present; 3 postcards are addressed to Gilbert "c/o Santa Barbara Museum of Art," where he was assistant director. There are references to Miller's expenses (or lack thereof) sprinkled throughout the correspondence. Several letters mention, though not by name, Gilbert's essay "Between Two Worlds," for THE HAPPY ROCK (Berkeley: 1945), and various aspects of its publication. In a number of the letters, Miller comments on various books sent to or received from Gilbert and, in a few, he mentions meeting people in the general area. SOME HIGHLIGHTS - On 4/14/44, Miller thanks Gilbert for sending his new book, "Am saving the real reading for the new place I move into in day or two - a few miles down coast - up a mt. & quite inaccessible." He inquires about a picture sold "at show" for which he received $20, wondering which it was and who bought it. [There was an exhibition of his watercolors at the Museum, Feb. 6, 1944, but it seems unlikely the pictures would have been priced for sale there.] He adds at bottom, "I met Jeffers, did I tell you?" On 4/11/45, Miller explains the photo at the top of his Big Sur letterhead was taken at the "Beverly Glen place" and comments "Rather good, eh? [George] Katsimbalis, [Angelos] Sikelianos, and Anais Nin are plainly visible on the wall." One letter dated simply "Monday," mentions he is reading the proof of HAPPY ROCK, compliments Gilbert on his piece, and goes on to say, "Porter put out a beautiful book for me called SEMBLANCE OF A DEVOTED PAST - with reproductions in black & white of several of the water colors. Unfortunately [underlined] it costs $7.50. I get no free copies from him. Maybe the Museum can purchase it (?)" On 9/14/45, in a 2-page letter, "We don't know just when 'The Happy Rock' will be out - it's a question of paying the printer." He tells Gilbert, presumably meaning in exchange for a water color he is sending him, "It's not at all necessary for you to send me a book but if you can spare one, and if you have any of the following, I would gladly accept, and then goes on to list 12 books ("Oof! Quite a list to choose from!"). A postscript reads, "Yes, we do expect a child - this October. It will be called Valentine, whether a boy or girl." In the final letter, dated simply "Oct. 4th," we assume alluding to his work on what would be THE WORLD OF LAWRENCE: A PASSIONATE APPRECIATION (Santa Barbara: 1980) -- the last book published in his lifetime -- he writes, "You ask about my Lawrence work. I've shelved that for a long time to come. Must finish several others first." Altogether near fine.