This entry discusses the censorship of Henry Miller\u27s Tropic of Cancer in Syracuse, N

Kline, Susan

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Syracuse University SURFACE Libraries' and Librarians' Publications Libraries 11-18-2011 Henry Miller’s Tropic of Cancer: The Local Connection (SCRC Behind the Scenes) Susan Kline Follow this and additional works at: https://surface.syr.edu/sul  Part of the Library and Information Science Commons Recommended Citation Kline, Susan, "Henry Miller’s Tropic of Cancer: The Local Connection (SCRC Behind the Scenes)" (2011). Libraries' and Librarians' Publications. 128. https://surface.syr.edu/sul/128 This Blog is brought to you for free and open access by the Libraries at SURFACE. It has been accepted for inclusion in Libraries' and Librarians' Publications by an authorized administrator of SURFACE. For more information, please contact surface@syr.edu. SCRC Behind the Scenes » Blog Archive » Henry Miller’s Tropic of Cancer: The Local Connectionhttp://library-blog.syr.edu/scrc/2011/11/18/henry-millers-tropic-of-cancer-the-local-connection/[5/12/2014 9:25:25 AM]SCRC Behind the ScenesHenry Miller’s Tropic of Cancer: The Local ConnectionNovember 18th, 2011 by Nicole Dittrichby Susan Kline, Grove Project ArchivistHenry Miller’s Tropic of Cancer is regarded as one of the most controversial and important pieces of American literature of the last century. Nearly 30 years after being banned in the United States upon its initial publication in France, Grove Press published the first American edition of the book in 1961. (The Grove Press Records are housed at SCRC and are currently being processed as part of a two year project.)Because of the text’s subject matter and portrayal of sex, Grove’s publication of the work sparked controversy. Across the country, Americans challenged the book, declaring it obscene. These legal cases often started at the local level, going ultimately to the United States Supreme Court. New York was no exception. The novel was challenged here in Syracuse in a case that made its way to the New York State Court of Appeals. The Syracuse case was the first test of the book’s legality in New York.Three employees of the Economy Book and Stationery Store, located at 317 South Salina Street in downtown Syracuse were arrested on March 14, 1962. The Police Department reportedly received complaints about the book and confiscated over 200 copies. (“Book’s Obscenity Test Will Be First in State,” Syracuse Herald-Journal, March 15, 1962.) The Economy Bookstore circa 1984-1986. Photo courtesy ofCarl Johnson/Carl’s Old Photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlsoldphotos/Current ExhibitionThe Archive in MotionWhen and Where:01-30-2014 to 06-27-20146th floor Gallery, Bird LibraryView HoursSCRC LinksBelfer Audio ArchiveOur ExhibitionsSpecial Collections WebsiteSU Libraries WebsitePagesAbout the AuthorsArchivesAugust 2013June 2013May 2013February 2013January 2013Blog Home Library Site Ask us LoginSCRC Behind the Scenes » Blog Archive » Henry Miller’s Tropic of Cancer: The Local Connectionhttp://library-blog.syr.edu/scrc/2011/11/18/henry-millers-tropic-of-cancer-the-local-connection/[5/12/2014 9:25:25 AM]0Like The ten day trial in Syracuse featured testimony from Syracuse University English professor Dr. Donald Dike who defended the book’s literary merit. (“English Pro Calls ‘Tropic’ Novel of Literary Merit,” Syracuse Post Standard, August 10, 1962) Following three hours of deliberation, on August 13, 1962, the Economy Book and Stationery store’s office manager John E. Armstrong, manager Alan Hammerle, and clerk Marguerite Fritch (all of whom plead not guilty) were convicted of selling obscene literature. Each received a $150 fine. (“3 Convicted in ‘Tropic of Cancer’ Case,” Syracuse Post Standard, August 14, 1962,; “Fined for Selling Miller Book,” New York Times, September 11, 1962)The case was appealed to the Onondaga County Court which reversed the initial conviction. However, the case ended up being heard by the New York State Court of Appeals, which ruled 4-3 that Tropic of Cancer was obscene, making it a misdemeanor to sell the book in the state of New York. (“Tropic of Cancer is Ruled Obscene,” New York Times, July 11, 1963) In its opinion, the court, quoted passages from the novel, although they were “loath to do” and estimated the amount of times “’4 and 5 letter’ vile and filthy words” were used.  Judge John F. Scileppi concluded, “It is our opinion, that, judged by all three of the established legal standards, ‘Tropic of Cancer’ does not fall within the class of publications entitled to constitutional protection.”  (State of New York Court of Appeals, “The People vs. Marguerite Fritch, Opinion, (unrevised and uncorrected), p. 5-6, Grove Press Records) The New York State Court of Appeals also suggested the Economy bookstore employees be retried; however the Onondaga County Court dismissed the charges. (3 Booksellers Are Freed in ‘Tropic of Cancer’ Case, New York Times, August 23, 1963) Excerpt of New York State Court of Appeals decision, Grove Press Records, SCRC, Syracuse University LibraryGrove Press responded to the New York decision with a petition entitled “Draft of Statement on New York Censorship of Tropic of Cancer.” The petition compared the New York decision to medieval book burning and alleged it was an affront to the large amount of New Yorkers who were writers, publishers, artists and musicians. A similar “Freedom to Read” petition was circulated in conjunction with the Tropic of Cancer trials in Chicago. In 1964, the United States Supreme Court ruled the book was not obscene.The Grove Press Records contain a variety of resources related to the Tropic of Cancer obscenity trials as well as the trials for D.H. Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover, William Burroughs’ Naked Lunch and Vilgot Sjöman’s film I am Curious Yellow. The collection contains newspaper clippings, press releases, correspondence, court opinions, depositions and trial transcripts related to these cases. Once the Grove Press Records are reopened for research, researchers will have access to a wealth of material involving these cases.___________________________________________________Tags: "grove press", legal matters, local history, syracuseShareDecember 2012November 2012September 2012August 2012July 2012June 2012May 2012April 2012March 2012February 2012January 2012December 2011November 2011October 2011September 2011Posts by CategoryAnnouncements (1)Authors (32)Amber Moore (4)Barbara Brooker (1)Lucy Mulroney (2)Michele Combs (3)Nicole Dittrich (8)Patrick Midtlyng (4)Susan Kline (10)Behind the Scenes (4)Collections (35)Events (3)Projects (23)SU Grad Students (13)Subscribe to RSSSCRC Posts RSS FeedA Note About CommentsParticipants in Syracuse University blogs are expected to abide by the rules of respectful civil discourse and bear personal responsibility for everything that they post. All comments are considered part of the public domain unless clearly stated otherwise. Syracuse University Libraries does not control the content of any comments posted. It will monitor all user-generated content and reserves the right to remove content for any reason, without consent. Gratuitous links to websites may be viewed as spam and result in comments being removed. We further reserve the right to remove a user’s privilege to post content on our site.SCRC Behind the Scenes » Blog Archive » Henry Miller’s Tropic of Cancer: The Local Connectionhttp://library-blog.syr.edu/scrc/2011/11/18/henry-millers-tropic-of-cancer-the-local-connection/[5/12/2014 9:25:25 AM]One Response to “Henry Miller’s Tropic of Cancer: The Local Connection”1. Tropic of Cancer |  Says: July 29th, 2013 at 5:06 pm[...] of Cancer was published in 1934 and was immediately banned in the U.S.A, eventually leading to groundbreaking trials that would challenge social convention and pornography laws in the States and ultimately come out [...]Leave a Reply Name (required) Mail (will not be published) (required) WebsiteSyracuse University LibrariesSyracuse, NY 13244-5040Phone: 315-443-2060About Hours Find Resources Services Research Assistance Visiting Accessibility HelpFaculty Resources Graduate Resources Undergraduate Resources Plugins and File Viewers Your AccountsCopyright Privacy Policy [PDF] MYbrary SUmail MySlice Blackboard SU HomeCopyright © 2014 Syracuse University Libraries. All Rights Reserved.nystatecourtofappeals_web.jpg %d×%d pixelshttp://library-blog.syr.edu/scrc/files/2011/11/nystatecourtofappeals_web.jpg[5/12/2014 9:25:58 AM]

Henry Miller’s Tropic of Cancer: The Local Connection (SCRC Behind the Scenes)

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Henry Miller’s Tropic of Cancer: The Local Connection (SCRC Behind the Scenes)

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