Controversial books have long sparked debates, and one such conversation is set to unfold at the Parkway Central Library. On Saturday, July 18 at 2 p.m., the Rare Book Department will host a significant discussion on censorship featuring Larry Robin, the former owner of Robin’s Book Store, which played a pivotal role in the Tropic of Cancer obscenity case of 1961.
Joining Robin in this important dialogue are poet and rare book dealer Ernest Hilbert, and Keith Kopka, Senior Editor at Narrative Magazine and Poetry Editor at Philadelphia Stories. This event is part of the Book Complaints and the Defense of Intellectual Freedom exhibit and will be held in the Elkins Library.
Our Tropic of Cancer Partner in Crime
“These novels will give way, by and by, to diaries or autobiographies— captivating books, if only a man knew how to choose among what he calls his experiences that which is really his experience, and how to record truth truly.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson, epigraph to the novel Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s vision for introspective literature might never have anticipated a novel that starts with descriptions of lice and continues through unabashed portrayals of bodily functions and raw desires. Yet, Tropic of Cancer does just that, shocking readers with its language and themes while also offering moments of profound beauty.
In 1961, Philadelphia found itself at the heart of a legal storm surrounding Tropic of Cancer. The novel, depicting the life of a struggling writer in 1920s Paris, was initially banned from the United States after its 1934 debut. Upon its 1961 U.S. release, it faced immediate legal challenges and was deemed obscene by several courts. The Free Library of Philadelphia and local bookstores distributed the book, prompting legal action from the District Attorney of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
“I am not banning it … I am just saying it is obscene and anyone selling it or distributing it in Philadelphia places himself liable to arrest or prosecution.” – James C, Crumlish, Jr. Philadelphia District Attorney on Henry Miller’s Tropic of Cancer, 1961
Despite the controversy, the Free Library saw its 80 copies of the book in constant circulation, with a long waiting list. The current Book Complaints and the Defense of Intellectual Freedom exhibition recounts this tale along with the broader legal context.
Robin’s Books, a local bookstore, was also at the forefront of this battle, having sold thousands of copies. This establishment was a centerpiece of free expression in Philadelphia for 76 years until its closure in 2012. Larry Robin, its former owner, continues to champion these ideals through Moonstone Arts Center. He will be at the Parkway Central Library on July 18 for a panel discussion on censorship. Attendees can engage in a rich conversation about literature that challenges societal norms.
Visitors are encouraged to explore the Book Complaints exhibition either before or after the event, where they can view artifacts like the legal proceedings transcript against Herman Robin, Larry’s father, for selling Tropic of Cancer in his store.
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