Roger Jackson’s Henry Miller
Feb 4th, 2013 by houghtonmodern
Today we focus our attention on books from the publishing house of book dealer, collector, and Henry Miller expert Roger Jackson. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Jackson is Managing Editor of Nexus: The International Henry Miller Journal, and co-author of authoritative Miller bibliographies. Since 1994 Jackson has published limited edition books by and about Henry Miller, as well works by Miller’s friends and associates. Roger Jackson editions are small, seldom longer than twenty-four pages, and diverse in content, encompassing memoir, poetry, letters, and interviews. It is their physical qualities, however, that make them so remarkable. Fine hand-made paper, deluxe storage containers, and whimsical decorative elements abound in Jackson’s publications.
Illustrative of Jackson’s approach to publishing is Henry Miller: 18 Individual Portraits and an Introductory Essay, by Peter Gowland, shown below. The book features photographic reproductions on gloss stock, and is signed by the author. The leaves are unbound but enclosed in a handsome envelope made from fibrous Nepalese lokta paper. Within this envelope are two further wrappers, first a black and gold paper from Thailand, and a second in natural white fiber paper embedded with a profusion of brightly colored silk strings. The cumulative effect of such lavish design affords the reader a pleasure that is both intellectual and tactile.
Lokta paper outer wrapper with decorative title label.
One of 18 portraits of Henry Miller by Peter Gowland showcased in this publication.
Decorative outer and inner wrappers, characteristic of Roger Jackson’s publications.
Gowland, Peter. Henry Miller: 18 Individual Portraits and an Introductory Essay. Ann Arbor, Mich.: Roger Jackson, 2000. AC9.M6145.P2000ga
Thanks to Bibliographic Assistant Noah Sheola for contributing this post.
Dear Roger Jackson,
Hello, Wm Joyce in Baños, Ecuador. We met through Irving Settner in 1991. The essays on H, Miller and Irving were brought out three years ago in London. You probably have the U.S. edition but new one has nine additional essays. But that’s not why I’m writing. In storage I have several hundred letters from people like Mailer, Vonnegut, Irving, Lewis Lapham (Harpers), Tom Wolfe, 12 hours of taped interviews with Dick Gregory, 200 letters from various publishers, Updike and Ferlinghetti postcards, etc. Any idea where I could begin looking for a university that would want this stuff for their archives? I wouldn’t want money but a part-time teaching position for one year. Thanks, Wm.
dear Thomas
I have lost current email address for roger Jackson, bibliographer of works by and about henry miller. Is it possible that you can supply current one? I know roger, corresponded with him re: HM. just lost touch!
any leads would be appreciated
Donald kerr
Donald.kerr@otago.ac.nz
ps. see you in October!