INSOMNIA OU LE DIABLE EN LIBERTE by Miller, Henry - 1974

Gemini Smith, 1974. Hardcover. Limited edition. 4to. Leather. Traduction de Georges Belmont et Hortense Chabrier. This is number 3 of an edition limited to only 150 copies, signed and inscibed by Miller: "To Bill Tarq et sa femme charmante, Roslyn, in tribute to a great friend, a book lover, a lover of all God's creatures. May he live on for a few more generations, radiating joy, inspiration, peace and harmony. De la part de son ami Henry Miller 2/21/75. With a 6 x 11 inch signed addendum preceding the title page. Pages 1-37 are a reproduction of the French manuscript in Miller's hand; the text is followed by photographs of the author, 12 color reproductions of Miller's original illustrations, and an essay, also in French, in which Miller explains the reproductions. Miller's "energetic and lyrical prose merges Rabelaisian dialogue and descriptions with sprawling statements of the author's own emotions, moods, and beliefs.... expressing with gusto his intense individualism, his love of freedom, his affection for natural reponses, his hatred of all that blocks or blunts human impulses, and his enthusiastic search for intellectual and aesthetic adventure" (Hart, 493). Inscription bold in bright red ink. All other signatures also clear and bold. Lacking the original hand colored lithograph. Full original black leather, gilt lettered spine and front board, printed on hand made Japanese paper; housed in a custom dark green cloth slipcase. Very slight rubbing to head and heel of spine else very good plus in a very good slipcase. A very good copy.