I am working on a writing project, though I am not sure what exactly the scope of the project is going to be. The work revolves around Nin, Miller, their circle of friends and their time in Paris during the 30's. Specifically I am writing about the erotica that various artists in their circle were commissioned to write by a "mysterious collector" as expounded upon by Anais in the preface of Delta of Venus.

Can anyone point me towards some good books on the matter? Are there any web references about who this collector was and what other writers wrote for him? I know some of Miller's work for this collector was the basis for his latter works and I am wondering if there are other works by other writers which were based on or part of the erotica for this collector.

So far my sources have been all of Nin's diaries, all of her published erotica as well as the Bair and Fitch biographies of Anais.

Perhaps you might look into Henry Miller's letters to Anais, a published book. I wish I had more ideas for you. Sounds like an intriguing project. Have you checked Bair's bio on Nin as well as Fitch's bio?

Rochelle L. Holt

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Actually, I did some research online today and I have read four or five sources that say the collector was one Roy Melisander Johnson, a wealthy oil baron from Oklahoma who aparently had one of the largest collection of written erotica in the world. Fitch and Bair didn't have anything about him and I am not exactly sure where these webpages got their information.

Burning Love Institute has a review of Delta where then mention him (This site has some Not Work Safe images)

as well as:

bellaonline.com
bio of Anais.

Very interesting stuff. Still if anyone else has any information, like who else this man paid or even anyone who can attest to the validity of the claim that he is the "mysterious collector" please let me know.

Thanks.

Good luck and let the site know when you find out more!

Rochelle L. Holt

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A fresh new angle for erotica in 1930s Paris that may assist with your research (I know as a published writer of George Grossmith that research is difficult to find out the truth-times long ago and people preserving their personal lives).

My older Hungarian boyfriend Paul Stevens of Woodland Hills, California lived in Paris during the 1930s. He told me in passing that he and a Swedish friend would publish erotica in Paris. His girlfriend was Odette (if that provides any clues). Sadly, Paul passed away in 2000 at his home after an accident. If you write me, I can provide you the names of his children who may or may not know more about the years in Paris.

Paul was in the circle of friends that included Caresse Crosby, Curtis Harrington, Maya Deren, and Katherine Dunham.

I have worked for Rupert Pole as the typist of "Incest" when I lived in my hometown of Los Angeles. Rupert is a kind and giving man with a wealth of information about his favorite woman - Anais Nin. Though we must respect his privacy.

Continue with your research. It makes for a wonderful journey ...

Jan-Christine Johnson
Washington DC, USA

janchristine56@msn.com

Thanks for your information. Also, you have expressed so well how we (The Thinking of Anais Nin site) feel about Rupert and respecting his privacy. He was so helpful with the site at the beginning (and even a few years ago, giving us pictures when I visited him and met with him and Kasuko for the first time, in SilverLake) Later he took Simone Lorenz and Bruce Cohen and I to lunch at one of his favorite haunts. Gunther was also of course most helpful but I was in such awe of his introductions to the Diaries that I generally let my web company deal with him by phone, and I wrote him letters about the site and it's progress.

Rupert always told me he typed on Anais's Royal, did you?
In the early days, everyone wanted Gunther and Rupert's email! so it was refreshing to write that they still used the typewriter.

And so interesting about your boyfriend Paul. I was just looking at a copy of Black Sun in my bookshelves over the weekend, I forgot about Caresse Crosby!

These early publications, are often so key but often missing. For example, just minutes ago, I found four copies of Black Maria a journal published by one of Anais's editors at Swallow Press, Donna Ippolito (who is now editor of this site)

Sharon Spencer used to be the memory of this site. Now it is Rochelle and Donna who are much more knowledgeable about the history/herstory. I did know your name was familiar however! which is why I am writing now.

Adele Aldridge's mother in law was an artist in Paris, I think also at this time. I think there is more on her history on Adele's website www.adeleart.com.

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Moderator for Anais Nin Web Site, www.anaisnin.com

What a fascinating conversation about Anais' early erotica years! Would you believe it - Harry Crosby, surrealist prose-poet, founder and publisher of Black Sun Press in Paris; 1920s, husband of Caresse Crosby, ex-Boston Brahmin and finally, one half of a Boston socialite murder-suicide pact - was my great grand uncle or cousin?! I'm related by blood on my maternal side (the Boston Crosbys) by my recently deceased grandmother, Lorraine Crosby. One of my aunts took a portrait of Harry's mother painted by the lady herself painted in the Edwardian era after the funeral. One of the older late Crosbys from that lost generation era passed along some stories about harry and his uncle J.P. Morgan.

Sigh... happy the passion for prose writing trickled down to me from Harry but wish his millions did too... !

I recently inherited what was left in my family branch of the Crosbys this year before I married but it was great reduced from the paper millions 80 years ago.

I *must* finish reading Black Sun!

Rebecca Crosby Butler (ne'e Price)