Available Copies from Independent Booksellers
Price: US$172.50 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Photos, double-sided, 24 x 19", folds else nice, in the original pictorial mailing envelope (used) with a mimeographed letter signed by "Jon and Gypsy Lou" from the Loujon Press on the recto describing the printing delays involved in another book, reprinted newspaper story and photos on verso showing Jon and Gypsy Lou Webb. Also included is a postcard from Jon Webb (dated 10/9/70) regarding a book order. SCARCE.
Seller: John K King Used & Rare Books, Detroit, MI, U.S.A.
Henry Miller. Insomnia or The Devil at Large - Edition 'A'. Loujon Press, 1970.
Price: US$650.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: One of just twelve copies of "Edition A" of Miller's confessional record of his year-long infatuation, at the age of 75, with a 25-year-old Japanese singer named Hoki Tokuda who worked in a Hollywood piano bar. Signed by Miller to the publisher's colophon with the limitation hand-written, this being copy 4. Stunningly produced by hand by Louise "Gyspy Lou" and Jon Webb of Loujon Press in a variety of typesets and paper stocks, the book itself consists of numerous photographs and a facsimile manuscript of Miller's reflections. This copy does not include the 12 loose prints or the portfolio box that were originally issued in this edition. Albuquerque: Loujon Press, 1970. Spiral-bound in plain boards with foil paper dust jacket. Very good or better, with light general shelfwear, softening to spine ends and a spot of light scratching to front wrap. Scarce. Albuquerque: Loujon Press, 1970. Spiral-bound in plain boards with foil paper dust jacket. Very good or better, with light general shelfwear and a softening to spine crown. Scarce.
Seller: Kevin Sell, The Rare Book Sleuth, IOBA, Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A.
Miller, Henry. INSOMNIA OR THE DEVIL AT LARGE - INSCRIBED. Loujon Press, Albuquerque, 1970.
Price: US$950.00 + shipping
Description: First Printing, "Economy Issue," one of 199 copies. Quarto; variously-colored offset and letterpress-printed sheets, comb-bound into unprinted off-white pebbleboard covers; gold, yellow, teal, and black floral-patterned foil dustjacket; [x], [50pp] + colophon; illus. Though not called for, this copy is inscribed by Miller on the first page: "To Mag - Long may it wave! Henry Miller, 1/16/71. Hint of toning to lower edges of pebbleboard covers, else fresh and Fine. Dustjacket with light wear to corners, and a small chip to lower left corner of front panel discreetly mended on verso; Very Good+. With an illustrated announcement letter laid in, measuring 11.25" x 14", printed on recto and verso; light wear to extremities, with old horizontal fold at center; Near Fine. Easily the most elaborate production by Jon and Louise "Gypsy Lou" Webb of the Loujon Press, the last title they would produce together before Jon's death in 1971. 'Insomnia' was the second of Miller's books published by Loujon. In the mid-1960's, Miller became infatuated with a Japanese cabaret singer named Hoki Tokuda. He'd spend hours at the piano bar in the Imperial Gardens Restaurant in Hollywood, listening to Hoki sing. Miller eventually married her, and sometime in 1965-66 he got insomnia worrying about the relationship, prompting him to write this book. The Economy Edition was produced because many of the regular Loujon Press subscribers could not afford the deluxe edition; it was an expensive item ($1200.00, in 1970), produced in tiny numbers and issued in a special wooden box, complete with a suite of 12 watercolors. For the Economy Edition, subscribers could purchase 'Insomnia' with or without the watercolors, the present copy offered without them. Shifreen & Jackson A175h.
Seller: Captain Ahab's Rare Books, ABAA, Stephenson, VA, U.S.A.
Henry Miller. Insomnia or the Devil at Large. Loujon Press, Albuquerque New Mexico, 1970.
Price: US$995.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: This work by Henry Miller, one of the great storytellers of all time, is the true story of how he fell passionately in love at the age of 75 with a lovely and talented 25 year old singer,Hoki Tokuda, from Japan. From his pursuit of her for a year and the frustration of his sleepless night, he has fashioned a deeply moving, revealing romantic story. His sleepless nights yielded 12 watercolors which are reproduced in this book. This is the Edition 'G' of only 385 copies signed and dated by Miller, the text of the book folio is in holograph letterpress on hand made paper with foil wrapper over boards and various illustrations the 12 color lithographs of his original watercolor paintings of his dreams over this period have been each custom framed and mounted, each lithograph signed in the plate, all framed in a most desirable and tasteful manner, rare thus, I know of no other set so framed 10 of the 12 plates and hence our price includes both framed and unframed. art works and the folio, lacks the original box only fine set
Seller: Hirschfeld Galleries, Saint Louis, MO, U.S.A.
Price: US$1000.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: First edition, Edition G. Spiral bound quarto. Fine in fine decorated foil dustwrapper. One of 385 copies Signed by Miller. Apaprently lacking the wooden box and suit of prints. Facsimile reproduction of Miller's handwritten notes and color reproductions of 12 of his watercolor paintings inspired by his relationship with a twenty-five year old Japanese woman.
Seller: Between the Covers-Rare Books, Inc. ABAA, Gloucester City, NJ, U.S.A.
Henry Miller. Insomnia, or the Devil at Large (ed. G). Loujon Press, 1970.
Price: US$1150.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Ed. G with the nameplate on the sliding cover of the box; contents complete: heavy card stock half title with the small photo of Hoki, 12 plates, book with the gold and yellow version of the foil dustjacket signed and dated by Miller, Loujon broadside. Also laid into the book is a hand-written letter from Webb about the pricing of the various editions. There are two very small edge chips to the large photo on the box lid, a 2' chip from the wood at the top of the right edge. All of the contents are Fine.
Seller: Dunaway Books, St. Louis, MO, U.S.A.
Miller, Henry. Insomnia or the Devil at Large [SIGNED]. Loujon Press, (Albuquerque), 1970.
Price: US$1200.00 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: Portfolio. 1/385, signed by Miller. Edition G. Consists of an approximately 19" x 34" wooden portfolio box. The front cover of the box, which slides out through slitted grooves in the larger portion of the box, has sustained marginal water damage. Taped to the front is a large photograph of Miller seated on a toilet with "Hoki" standing. The top right corner is creased and has about a five-inch tear. There is also some scraping in center of photograph. Bottom edge of cover with water discoloration. Silver nameplate at bottom reads "Ed. G: David Peery." The top and bottom edges of the cover feature a raised band of decoration with alternating blocks of unstained wood and green, with red lines above and below. Back of cover is plywood. The larger part of the box is brown stained on the back, with extensive scratching. Top and bottom edges are stained black and the sides covered in black and white op-art design paper. The bottom left edge is chipped, missing a piece a little over an inch long. The right side is also chipped, but still in tact. Title piece is printed on cardboard and features a small 5 1/2" x 6 1/2" b&w photograph of Hoki with the title printed on it as well. There is creasing around the edges and light tearing at the bottom. There is also some discoloration, possibly from dampness, to the top edge of the title page. Box contains 12 (complete) color plates, sized approximately 17" x 22" inches. Each image is signed and dated in the plate. Some plates with slight discoloration to edges. but in overall good condition. Underneath the plates, the box is filled with yellow foam except for a square cut-out in the center which is covered with raised decorative paper. Yellow foam is tearing and lifting a bit at the top edge. Inside cut out is the book "Insomnia or the Devil At Large." The book is 4to., unpaginated, and with untrimmed pages. It is bound in tan cloth, but the outer part of the cover is decorated with blue flowers on a green, yellow, and gold abstract background. The head and tail are slightly bumped. The book is stamped on the colophon page, "Edition G. 385 copies, book signed." Below this stamp apprears Miller's signature with the date of May 1, 1970. "Hoki" is Hiroko Tukudo Miller's nickname." Book itself is in very good condition.
Seller: ERIC CHAIM KLINE, BOOKSELLER (ABAA ILAB), Santa Monica, CA, U.S.A.
Miller, Henry. Insomnia,; or The Devil at Large. Loujon Press, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1970.
Price: US$1250.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: 4to, unpag.; comb-bound with stiff backing board and loosely inserted into decorative metallic wrappers, printed with an abstract floral design in orange, yellow, and black on gold. With loose set of twelve large prints reproducing Miller's paintings done for the publication. One of a stated 385 copies in the so-called "Edition G", signed by Miller at the colophon and dated May 1, 1970. As with other Loujon Press publications, it is marked by an over-the-top mixture of various fonts, papers, and images, and with Miller's text in lithographic reproduction of his handwriting. The publication was beset by difficulties, resulting in a confusion of issues and unreliable colophonic information. Some of the various editions would be housed in hand-made wooden boxes by publisher Jon Webb. When he died during production, that was no longer possible and this copy is among those that remained unboxed.
Seller: Locus Solus Rare Books (ABAA, ILAB), Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.
Miller, Henry. Insomnia or the Devil at Large [Book and Portfolio]. Loujon Press, Albuqerque, 1970.
Price: US$1400.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: HUGE oversized Folio. Account of Henry Miller's torment at the night-time antics (real, imagined, or both) of his wife. The text of the book is in reproduction of the author's overwrought but legible hand. The portfolio includes a large special title page (mounted on cardstock, plus the loose-leaf book (bound in blue and gold foil). Includes the book (which is SIGNED at rear by Miller), suite of 12 large color prints plus title page for the suite, plus the mimeographed note from Jon and Gypsy Lou (with holograph additions), plus a printed obituary of Jon Webb with handwritten note from Gypsy Lou. The elaborate original portfolio box has the publisher's original engraved gold plate bearing the name of the original owner. Shifreen & Jackson A175g; this being Edition "G". Complete in large oversized two-part wooden box (with cork and decorative paper trim, and b/w pictorial label on upper cover). The box has some wear; the paper cover label has some wear, tears, and tape; the separate title page to the suite of loose plates is browned; and the rear cover of the book has some adhesions from the vintage foil wallpaper used to line the back of the case. The book itself is otherwise in superb condition, as are the 12 loose color prints. Size: Oversized Folio
Seller: Vashon Island Books, Vashon, WA, U.S.A.
MILLER, Henry. Insomnia or The Devil at Large. Loujon Press, Albuquerque, 1970.
Price: US$1500.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: Photo illustrations; 37 pages of facsimile holograph text. 4to, spiral bound card boards with blue & gold foil wrapper. Albuquerque: Loujon Press (1970). Limited Edition. Edition G: 385 signed copies. This one is signed and dated May 1, 1980.
Seller: Argosy Book Store, ABAA, ILAB, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Miller, Henry. Insomnia,; or the Devil at Large. Loujon Press, Albuquerque, 1970.
Price: US$1500.00 + shipping
Description: 4to, unpag.; comb-bound in stiff white wrappers, decorative foil dust jacket. The book is housed in the original foam-lined wood box with sliding lid bearing photographic label, together with 12 color lithographs from Miller's "Insomnia Watercolors" and publisher's two-sided broadside announcement, inscribed briefly by Jon Webb. One of 385 copies from the so-called Edition G, bearing the original subscriber's name plate on the box-lid. This elaborate production was a struggle for the publishers Jon and Louise Webb, who scrambled to fulfill orders, altering their original conception as they went. Initially far fewer copies of Edition G were planned, but when orders for the more expensive issues failed to come in, they increased the number to 385. The boxes were all made by hand and when Jon Webb died during production, it became impossible to create boxes for the entire edition. Fine with some slight marking and a bit of rumpling to box-label.
Seller: Locus Solus Rare Books (ABAA, ILAB), Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.
MILLER, Henry. Insomnia, or the Devil at Large. Loujon Press, Albuquerque, 1970.
Price: US$1658.04 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Albuquerque, Loujon Press, 1970 ('First edition book & portfolio' . 'Edition F'). A portfolio comprising 12 large loose plates after watercolours and drawings by Miller; a book (quarto; comb-bound in plain stiff boards, with a decorative wrap-around dustwrapper); and a title-plate mounted on a sheet of thick card, in a large foam-lined decorated wooden box, with a plate (from a photograph of the author and his wife) and the original purchaser's engraved metal name-plate (noting the edition) mounted on the sliding lid. The plates are uniformly in fine or near-fine condition (three plates have a few very light fingermarks to the blank margins). The plain boards of the book are a little offset, and there is some surface adhesion damage to the dustwrapper; an excellent copy. The wooden box is a little rubbed, with one tiny mark to the plate mounted on the lid. Overall, an excellent example of this deluxe production from the Loujon Press. The book is a facsimile of Miller's manuscript reflection, agonising about his relationship with his wife Hiroko 'Hoki' Tokuda. Number 12 of 99 copies of Edition F (the limitation is stamped and hand-numbered at the rear of the book), with three of the plates dated ('10/15/70') and signed by the author in pencil beneath the printed signatures, as called for in this edition.
Seller: Michael Treloar Booksellers ANZAAB/ILAB, Adelaide, SA, Australia
MILLER, Henry. Insomnia or the Devil at Large. Loujon Press, Albuquerque, NM, 1970.
Price: US$1750.00 + shipping
Description: Complete suite: printed book in original comb binding and decorative paper wrapper, in sunken panel of wooden box with 12 color prints reproducing Miller's calligraphic watercolors (17 x 22 inches). Original subscriber's brass name plaque on sliding box cover. One of 385 copies of "Edition G", signed by Miller on the colophon in the text volume. Loujon press issued 7 deluxe editions of the suite, and note that "Unfortunately, because of the extra spur-of-the-moment costly format changes in the production's not-from-a-blueprint progressive creation, plus press breakdowns, a ceiling collapse that tattered stacks of printed pages & a mountain of wind gust that blew in windows next day sprinkling glass particles *everywhere* just prior to insurance coverage, source exhaustion of short term loans at high interest plus a 20 percent of gross, and inability to hire skilled help, imprisoned the entire production-design, editing, book printing & page collation, the handcrafting in entirety of portfolio boxes from raw uncut wood to what is seen here in completion, very few of them exact duplicates even in any one edition's labeled individual classification-inside the confines of 18-hour workdays 7 a week by only two workers, Louise (Gypsy Lou) & Jon Webb, the editors, necessitating (see the beginning this sentence) instead of 999 copies a reduction in total publication of the 7 editions to 699 books & 699 portfolios, with quantity changes in 5 of the 7 editions.". A fine copy, the original subscriber's copy and virtually untouched since publication, a few areas of trivial wear to box, a few of the prints with some soft handling creases, not affecting image
Seller: Riverrun Books & Manuscripts, ABAA, Ardsley, NY, U.S.A.
Miller, Henry. Insomnia or the Devil at Large. Albuquerque, NM Loujon Press 1970, 1970.
Price: US$2243.70 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: edition "F". 23.5" X 19" wooden box containing: 12 prints by Miller (22" X 17"), a book of Miller's writings housed in a folding multicolored foil wrapper, a large photographic title page of Miller seated on a toilet, a large "half-title" printed on heavy card, two sheets of the Rafu Shimpo newspaper, and signed announcement from the publishers explaining the production delay. The wooden box has a sliding plywood cover with photograph of Miller and brass name plate engraved with "Arthur Goldsmith Jr." and "Ed. F". 4 inches of wood inlay perished from the top of the sliding cover, and one corner of the box has cracked but remains attached. Three of the prints are signed and dated by Miller (as called for in this edition) and have only the very subtlest of bumping to the corners. The book is signed and inscribed to Goldsmith by Jon Edgar Webb and Gypsy Lou Webb and is numbered #42 of 99. The fold edges of the book's foil jacket are lightly rubbed. near fine Edition F was the first of the heavily limited editions of this complex work to have prints signed and dated by Miller, and our copy has three prints signed, as called for. Although 99 copies were planned, it is likely that only 65 were produced, and across all editions, it is likely that only 300 wooden boxes were constructed (Shifreen & Jackson A175f). The present copy was purchased by Arthur Goldsmith Jr, a journalist and collector of art and counterculture books, and includes a poignant signed note from the book's publishers explaining their move from Las Vegas to Tennessee. Jon Webb states "Lou can't take this dusty climate with her emphysema, so we're moving later this month. Believe it will be Nashville, Tenn. That's the plan now. Have no place there yet- must find one when we get there. Hope you like the Miller here- Best Jon + Lou" Jon was to die just months later (June 9th, 1971) in Nashville. Overall a very nice copy of a monumental production with bright, clean plates by Miller.
Seller: Aquila Books(Cameron Treleaven) ABAC, Calgary, AB, Canada
Miller, Henry. Insomnia or the Devil at Large (12 double signed prints). Loujon, 1970.
Price: US$6100.00 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: This is a set of twelve double signed prints from Insomnia or the Devil at Large published by Loujon Press in 1970. Does NOT include the book or box - the 12 prints only. The prints are signed and dated 10/15/70 by Miller below the printed signature. The bibliography is confusing but Edition C calls for 12 signed prints. All prints are near fine. Extra shipping and insurance required.
Seller: Route 3 Books, Sandstone, MN, U.S.A.
Price: US$7500.00 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: Each of the 12 prints signed & dated by Miller in pencil, under the printed signatures, & book signed & dated, 1970. This copy consists of an (approx.) 18 x 24 1/2" (x 1 3/4" deep) wooden portfolio box. The top is a wooden panel that slides in grooves; reverse side of top is a plywood panel stained dark brown with upper & lower applied two-toned wooden strips, red edges; large mounted photo of Miller seated on toilet, title reading: from Loujon Press Insomnia or the Devil at Large Henry Miller. The long sides of the box are covered in a red, green & gold "oriental" geometric floral design paper, other 2 sides & inner sides of box stained black, underside of box stained dark red. Top is followed by a smaller piece of corrugated cardboard used as protector in shipping, then a larger sheet of pasteboard covered in gray textured paper on front with a 6 ½ x 5 1/4" mounted b/w photo of girl ("Hoki") in the upper section. Then follows the 12 prints (each approx. 17 x 22") prints: reproductions of Miller's drawings & watercolors, each signed & dated in pencil by Miller, 10/15/70. The silver sheen of the graphite is visible on each of these soft pencil signatures; the bottom of the box is lined with plastic foam with a central well to hold a copy of the spiral bound book (Insomnia), reproducing Miller's manuscript, photos, etc. The bottom of this is well lined with a brown & tan toned paper. The copy of Insomnia supplied with this set shows these variations: wrap around clot- backed dustjacket shows the large "oriental" floral design printed in blue & black with light green squares & light yellow / tan over the gold background rather than red & black mentioned in Miller bibliography (see below for comparison). Signed at head of colophon page: Henry Miller May 1st 1970. Above this is rubberstamped in red is: Edition G 385 copies. Book signed. On the reverse of last page of Miller's printed text has been stamped in red: "Colophon Oversights & Erratum: Book is autographed in Ed. G. Ed. C, gold nameplate, not silver. Book also signed in Editions C, B & A. Ed. A: pub. price, [-]; prepub, prepaid, [-]. Wm. Webb lives in Carmel, not Big Sur. "Hoki" is Hiroko Tukudu Miller's nickname." The paper covered sides of the wooden box show minor rubbing to some edges; small oval where paper surface has been scratched off near one corner, very small nick to left side of mounted photo on top of box; else, a fine & well preserved set, of which less than 10 were produced. This copy does not have the gold nameplate mentioned in the Bibliography below, nor any sign of ever having one & the colors of the book dust jacket, etc. vary from the red & gold mentioned in Bibliography (see description above). Here follows the Bibliography citation for issue C for comparison: [Henry Miller Bibliography, 1993, p. 409]: "A175c Insomnia Or The Devil At Large 1970 First Edition/Issue C: 12 Prints Signed [overprinted on Miller bibliography that is in English and Japanese] / [ornamental design] A Loujon Press Award Book [ornamental design] / Insomnia [red] or the Devil at Large / Henry Miller / [Loujon Press] / [Albuquerque, New Mexico] For this edition, the 12 prints are signed in pencil by Miller [10/15/70], but not inscribed to the buyer, as in Edition B. The book is also signed by Miller. Red and gold foil used on the book dust jacket, with the name plate on the portfolio box in solid gold. Variations of inlaid wood trim and color of foil on the portfolio box occurs within this edition. Published at [-], in a planned edition of 192 copies, but later reduced to 39 due to slow pre-publication sales. It is believed that less than 10 copies of this edition were actually published." This copy was once owned by a personal friend & admirer of Henry Miller's writing & watercolors; it was obtained for him by "Gypsy" of the Loujon Press in the early 1970's. List of plates as they appear in this volume: [1] Insomnia No. 1. [signed in plate]: Henry Miller 8/3/66 [-].
Seller: Peter Keisogloff Rare Books, Inc., Brecksville, OH, U.S.A.