Amédée; The New Tenant and The Victims of Duty.

First US edition. 8vo., original wrappers. New York, Grove Press.

Inscribed by the author on the title page: "Pour Henry Miller, regrettant de ne pas avoir pu lui présenter avec hommage et mon admiration. Gene Ionesco 1958" and further inscribed by Miller on the half-title: "For Twinka - allez-y! Henry Miller, 12.28.62".

In a letter to George Brassai dated Nov 22nd, 1959, Miller writes: "I recently saw two plays by Ionesco - performed by amateurs - The Chairs and The Bald Soprano. I was overwhelmed. Now I'd like to try a drama myself. Something fairly 'loony'. But I'm a little like Ionesco, I don't know how to distinguish between comedy and tragedy." Miller and Ionesco were stablemates at Grove Press in 1961, the year they met at Abe Rattner's studio in Paris: "he felt a particular affinity with Ionesco, although he had read none of his work" (Dearborn). Miller passed the book on to Twinka Thiebaud, who lived with and cared for him in his later years. An excellent copy.

Stock Code: 137635