Arthur Miller is still considered one of the finest dramatists of his day, but it is perhaps not solely for his creative works that he is remembered. Miller's life was turbulent to say the least, with three marriages (one of them to Marilyn Monroe, no less), and almost a charge of un-patriotic and un-American activities. We may now look back and say that Miller led the almost stereotypical life of the post-war 1950's 'Angry Young Men' - albeit on the other side of the Atlantic.
One of Miller's most famous works is the play Death of a Salesmen (1949) which was immediately recognized as an important landmark for narrative theatre in its depiction of the individual in contemporary society, the family, and its questioning of not only the American Dream, but the Liberal-Capitalist model championed at the time. One of the things to look out for with this book is that it still has its characteristic black and yellow illustrated dust jacket, which remains in fine condition. A true first edition printing will also have its cover bound in orange cloth, to complement the dust jacket (as ever; important to check this detail).
Luckily with such a recent artist like Miller, there are also a wealth of other first editions, limited editions, and rare memorabilia which are available to collect. Consider his very first play (pre-Death of a Salesman) All My Sons (1947) which is largely overlooked by collectors but is actually the play that first garnered him some fame and notoriety. Try to find it in its original blue 'starry constellation' dust jacket. A very nice note, I feel, to end with is the possibility of print memorabilia for Arthur Miller. There are currently available (at time of writing) the playbill and ticket-stubs for the first productions of All My Sons and Death of a Salesman, as well as original reviews and author's letters in Life Magazine from the time. For the dedicated collector would make a marvelous edition to any collection on the post-war period, and the Angry Young Men sentiment.
Miller, Arthur. Situation Normal. Reynal and Hitchcock, New York (1944). The Story of a Journey in Search of a Theme -- for a War and a War Film.; author's first book
Miller, Arthur. Focus. Reynal and Hitchcock, New York (1945). Author's first novel
Miller, Arthur. All My Sons. Reynal and Hitchcock, New York (1947). Author's first published play
Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman.. The Viking Press, New York (1949). Certain Private Conversations in Two Acts and a Requiem
Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman.. The Cresset Press, London (1949). Certain Private Conversations in Two Acts and a Requiem; UK Edition
Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. Viking, New York (1953). A play in 4 acts
Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. Kermit Bloomgarden, New York (1953). Script used during first production
Miller, Arthur. A View from the Bridge. The Viking Press, New York (1955). Two one-act plays
Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. The Cresset Press, London (1956). First UK Edition
Miller, Arthur. A View From The Bridge.. The Cresset Press, London (1957). First UK Edition
Miller, Arthur. The Misfits. Viking Press, New York (1961). Novelised version of screenplay
Miller, Arthur. Jane's Blanket. Crowell/Collier, New York (1963). Illustrated by Al Parker
Miller, Arthur. After the Fall. The Viking Press, New York (1964). Signed first edition limited issue of 500 copies
Miller, Arthur. After the Fall. Secker and Warburg, London (1964). Proof of UK Edition
Miller, Arthur, et al. Pascal Covici. 1888-1964. Privately Printed, New York (1964). black and white photographs by Blackstone-Shelburne and Keith Jennison; Tributes by Miller, Campbell, Covici and Steinbeck delivered April, 1964 at Covici's memorial service; Limited to 500 copies
Miller, Arthur. Incident At Vichy. Viking, New York (1965).
Miller, Arthur. The Price. Viking Press, New York (1968).
Miller, Arthur. In Russia. Viking, New York (1969). Inge Morath (coauthor); illustrated with photographs by Morath (black and white and colour)
Miller, Arthur. The Creation Of The World And Other Business. The Viking Press, New York (1973). and the catastrophically hilarious events of which they are a part
Miller, Arthur. The Theater Essays Of Arthur Miller. The Viking Press, New York (1978). 23 essays, 3 interviews
Miller, Arthur. Chinese Encounters. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York (1979). Illustrated with colour and black and white photographs by Inge Morath
Miller, Arthur. Arthur Miller's Collected Plays. The Franklin Library, Franklin Center, PA (1980). Illustrated by Barron Stoey; Includes: All My Sons; Death of a Salesman; The Crucible; A Memory of Two Mondays; A View From The Bridge; Limited Edition privately printed and signed by Miller
Miller, Arthur. Arthur Miller's Collected Plays. The Viking Press, New York (1981). Introduction by Miller; 2 volumes
Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. The Viking Press, New York (1981). Certain Private Conversations in Two Acts and a Requiem; Limited Edition of 500 numbered copies signed by the author; Illustrated edition with black and white photographs from various productions of the play
Miller, Arthur. The American Clock. New York Dramatists Play Service, New York (1982). A Play; Illustrated with black and white photography by Inge Morath
Miller, Arthur. The American Clock. Methuen Pub., London (1983).
Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. Limited Editions Club, New York (1984). Certain Private Conversations in Two Acts and a requiem; Illustrated with 5 etchings by Leonard Baskin; Limited edition of 1500 numbered copies signed by author and artist
Miller, Arthur. Timebends. The Franklin Library, Pennsylvania (1987). A Life.; Limited first edition; signed by author; Illustrated with b/w photos
Miller, Arthur. Timebends. Grove Press, New York (1987). A Life;
Miller, Arthur. Timebends. Methuen, London (1987). A Life.; UK Edition
Miller, Arthur. Homely Girl. Peter Blum Edition, New York (1992). A Life; Illustrated with etchings by Louise Bourgeois; black and white photography by Inge Morath; Limited edition of 1200 copies; 2 volumes
Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. Easton Press, Connecticut (1998). Fiftieth Anniversary Edition; signed by author
Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. Penguin, New York (1999). Illustrated with black and white photos of various productions; New Preface by author; Fiftieth Anniversary Edition; signed by Miller
Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. Turtleback Books (1999).
Miller, Arthur. Death of A Salesman. Easton Press, Norwalk, Connecticut (1999). Fiftieth Anniversary Edition; limited leather collector's edition; signed by Miller
Miller, Arthur. The Price.. Arion Press, San Francisco (1999). Illustrated with duo-tone lithographs by Stain Washburn; Limited edition of 300 numbered copies (total edition of 326), signed by Miller and Washburn
Miller, Arthur. Echoes Down the Corridor. Methuen, London (2000). Collected Essays 1944-2000; UK Edition
Miller, Arthur. Echoes Down The Corridor. The Viking Press, New York (2000). Collected Essays 1944-2000
Miller, Arthur. On Politics and the Art of Acting. Viking Press, New York (2001).
Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. Easton Press, Connecticut (2002). New preface by Miller; Afterward by Christopher Bigsby; 50th anniversary edition; signed by author
Morris, William. The Defence of Guenevere, and Other Poems. Bell and Baldy, London (1858). 500 copies.