Max Miller Papers
Mandeville Special Collections Library
Mandeville Special Collections Library
The UCSD Libraries
9500 Gilman Drive
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, California 92093-0175
Phone: (858) 534-2533
Fax: (858) 534-5950
URL: http://orpheus.ucsd.edu/speccoll/
Copyright 2005
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Creator:
Miller, Max, 1899-1967
Title: Max Miller Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1924 - 1981
Extent:
3.50 linear feet
(8 archive boxes and 3 oversize folders)
Abstract: Papers of Max Miller, La Jolla (California) author and reporter for the San Diego Sun. Miller is best known for his book
I COVER THE WATERFRONT (1932), the first of nearly twenty books on subjects including the modern U.S. military, Southern California,
and Baja California (Mexico). His travel book THE CRUISE OF THE COW (1951) records his exploration of the Baja California
coasts. The collection contains correspondence with colleagues, friends, and family, especially letters (1950 - 1953) from
his wife written during his service in the Korean War; photographs of Miller and others; newspaper clippings of articles by
Miller, about Miller, and reviews of his several books; and typescripts, including drafts of THE CRUISE OF THE COW and FROM
THESE WINDOWS (1955), as well as unpublished works. Also included are notebooks for several of Miller's books, including
I COVER THE WATERFRONT and THE FAR SHORE (1945); miscellaneous personal items; and ephemera. The papers span Max Miller's
writing career, with the bulk of the materials dating from the 1940s and 1950s.
Repository:
University of California, San Diego. Geisel Library. Mandeville Special Collections Library.
La Jolla, California 92093-0175
Collection number: MSS 0158
Language of Material:
Collection materials in English
Access
Collection is open for research.
Acquisition Information
Not Available
Preferred Citation
Max Miller Papers, MSS 0158. Mandeville Special Collections Library, UCSD.
Publication Rights
Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.
Biography
Max Miller (1899-1967) was born in Traverse City, Michigan. After attending the University of Washington, Miller wrote for
the EVERETT DAILY NEWS, then took a job in San Diego as a waterfront reporter for the SAN DIEGO SUN. He became an active
member of the La Jolla, California community, where he lived with his wife, Margaret Ripley Miller, until his death in December
1967. Miller left newspaper writing after publishing his best-selling book, I COVER THE WATERFRONT (1932), and continued to
publish a book annually over the next twenty years. His subjects often included the modern U.S. military and the regions
of Southern California and Baja California (Mexico). Miller served as a writer and information gatherer for the U.S. Naval
Department Office of Public Information during World War II and the Korean War.
Scope and Content of Collection
Accession Processed in 1996
The accession processed in 1996 includes manuscripts spanning Max Miller's writing career (1933 - 1962) and arranged in two
series: 1) WRITINGS and 2) MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS.
SERIES 1: WRITINGS
The WRITINGS series contains Miller's early draft manuscripts of published works, notably DAYBREAK FOR OUR CARRIER (1944)
and the travel novel THE CRUISE OF THE COW (1951) recording his exploration of Baja California (Mexico). Also included are
drafts for the unpublished works BLACKBURN'S SQUADRON, THE SHIP THAT CAME IN, and WRITTEN WHILE SITTING ON A CACTUS. Often
included are materials omitted from final published versions. The materials are arranged alphabetically.
SERIES 2: MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS
The MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS series contains several letters to Miller, a letter from Miller to Howard Chernoff, notes on a
text, and newspaper clipping book reviews.
Accession Processed in 2006
The accession processed in 2006 contains material relating to Miller's life, work, and military service, with the greatest
portion consisting of personal correspondence and newspaper clippings dating from the 1940s and 1950s.
The papers are arranged in five series: 1) CORRESPONDENCE, 2) WRITINGS, 3) NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS, 4) PHOTOGRAPHS, and 5) MISCELLANEOUS
MATERIALS.
SERIES 1: CORRESPONDENCE
The CORRESPONDENCE series contains correspondence with Miller's colleagues, friends, and family, with the greatest portion
written by Margaret Ripley Miller from the periods of Max Miller's military service (1944 - 1946; 1950 - 1953). Her letters
illustrate life in La Jolla (California) in the mid-twentieth century, comment extensively on the Millers' social milieu,
note her efforts to establish her own writing career, and document her occasional role as liason between Max Miller and his
publishers. To a lesser extent, the CORRESPONDENCE series also includes fan mail and business correspondence. Other notable
correspondents include author Walt Coburn, newspaper executive John P. Scripps, KFMB television and radio general manager
Howard Chernoff, and Miller's good friend Rear Admiral Harold Blaine Miller (no known relation). Through his later affiliation
with the American Petroleum Institute, Harold B. Miller aided Max Miller's research for his book about the oil industry SPEAK
TO THE EARTH (1955). The series is arranged alphabetically by correspondent.
SERIES 2: WRITINGS
The WRITINGS series is arranged in three subseries: A) Typescripts, B) Notes, and C) Newspaper Articles.
A) The Typescripts subseries contains typewritten works authored by Miller, including drafts for THE CRUISE OF THE COW (1951),
FROM THESE WINDOWS (1955), and the unpublished works THE SHIP THAT CAME IN and BEACH BUMS.
B) The Notes subseries contains loose-leaf handwritten notes and notebooks containing material used in or related to several
of Miller's books. Of special interest are Miller's notebooks containing material used in I COVER THE WATERFRONT (1932) and
Miller's book about the D-Day landing at Normandy, THE FAR SHORE (1945).
C) The Newspaper Articles subseries contains clippings of newspaper articles authored by Miller.
SERIES 3: NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS
The NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS series is arranged in two subseries: A) Articles, and B) Reviews.
A) The Articles subseries contains articles about Miller and miscellaneous subjects from Miller's files. The subseries is
arranged alphabetically by subject.
B) The Reviews subseries contains reviews of Miller's books. The series is arranged alphabetically by title.
SERIES 4: PHOTOGRAPHS
The PHOTOGRAPHS series contains personal photographs, a small number of photographs used for publication, and two photo albums
entitled "Max Miller's Pictures of the Pacific Theater, World War II," and "S.S. Ernie Pyle Launching."
SERIES 5: MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS
The MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS series includes publication announcements, pamphlets, miscellaneous ephemera and personal items,
and a scrapbook compiled by Margaret Ripley Miller containing reviews of her book ALONG OUR COAST.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Miller, Max, 1899-1967 -- Archives
Silks, Mattie, 1845 or 6-1929
Birds -- Mexico -- Baja California (Peninsula)
World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American
Aircraft carriers -- United States
Prostitution -- Colorado -- Denver
Petroleum industry and trade -- United States
Baja California (Mexico : Peninsula) -- Description and travel
California, Gulf of (Mexico) -- Description and travel
San Diego (Calif.) -- Description and travel
Contributors
Miller, Max, 1899-1967. -- Cruise of the cow
Miller, Max, 1899-1967. -- Daybreak for our carrier
Miller, Max, 1899-1967. -- Holladay Street
Miller, Max, 1899-1967. -- Speak to the earth
Accession Processed in 1996
box 1, folder 1
BEGINNING OF A MORTAL
Note
Proofs of illustrations by John Sloan.
box 1, folder 3
Blackburn's Squadron
Note
"The S.O. Bees: Growl of the Big Hog" - typescript outline.
box 1, folder 4
Blackburn's Squadron
Note
The S.O. Bees Story - Chapter breakdown.
box 1, folder 5
Blackburn's Squadron
Note
"The S.O.Bees: Growl of the Big Hog" - Rewrite notes and correspondence.
box 1, folder 6
Blackburn's Squadron
Note
Miscellaneous notes and letter.
box 1, folder 9
DAYBREAK FOR OUR CARRIER - She's Our Carrier
box 1, folder 10
DAYBREAK FOR OUR CARRIER - She's Our Carrier
1944
box 2, folder 1
HOLLADAY STREET
Note
Mazzula letters - Reference material with table of contents.
box 2, folder 2
HOLLADAY STREET
Note
Correspondence, 1962.
box 2, folder 3
HOLLADAY STREET
Note
Correspondence, December 1962 - April 1963.
box 2, folder 4
HOLLADAY STREET
Note
Correspondence, 1960-1963.
box 2, folder 6, oversize MC03810
box 2, folder 7
Newspaper columns - unidentified
box 2, folder 8
Ship that Came In
Note
Unpublished typescript.
box 3, folder 2
Written While Sitting on a Cactus
box 3, folder 3
Miscellaneous correspondence
1956 - 1981
Accession Processed in 2006
box 4, folder 2
American Petroleum Institute
1953 - 1958
box 4, folder 4
Broadcast Music, Inc
1958
box 4, folder 7
Chadwick, Florence
1956 - 1958
box 4, folder 8
Chernoff, Howard
1950 - 1967
box 4, folder 9
Coburn, Pat and Walt
1957 - 1968
box 4, folder 12
E.P. Dutton and Co., Inc
1942 - 1952
box 4, folder 14
Farmer, Malcolm F.
1952 - 1958
box 4, folder 15
THE FISHERMAN
1957 - 1958
box 4, folder 19
Hanley, Thomas
1950 - 1958
box 4, folder 23
Karig, Walter
1952 - 1953
box 4, folder 24
Kieldsen, James and Ynez
1945 - 1953
box 4, folder 28
Miller, Harold B.
1944 - 1975
box 4, folder 29
Miller, Margaret Ripley
1935 - 1943
box 4, folder 30
Miller, Margaret Ripley
1944
box 4, folder 31
Miller, Margaret Ripley
1945 - 1946
box 4, folder 32
Miller, Margaret Ripley
1950
box 4, folder 33
Miller, Margaret Ripley
1950
box 4, folder 34
Miller, Margaret Ripley
1950
box 4, folder 35
Miller, Margaret Ripley
1950
box 5, folder 1
Miller, Margaret Ripley
1952
box 5, folder 2
Miller, Margaret Ripley
1952
box 5, folder 3
Miller, Margaret Ripley
1952
box 5, folder 4
Miller, Margaret Ripley
1952
box 5, folder 5
Miller, Margaret Ripley
1953
box 5, folder 13
Pinkerton, Airdrie and Roy
1958
box 5, folder 16
Rogers, Bogart
1957 - 1958
box 5, folder 18
SAN DIEGO UNION
1957 - 1966
box 5, folder 19
Scripps, Edythe and John
1950 - 1967
box 5, folder 20
Shepard, Elizabeth and F.P.
1967 - 1972
box 5, folder 22
Stone, Irving
1952 - 1966
box 5, folder 28
United States Navy
1943 - 1953
box 5, folder 29
University of Oregon
1966 - 1981
box 5, folder 31
Walker, Lew and Melanie
1957 - 1966
box 5, folder 33
Unidentified correspondents
box 5, folder 34
BEACH BUMS
Note
Unpublished typescript, part 1.
box 5, folder 35
BEACH BUMS
Note
Unpublished typescript, part 2.
box 6, folder 1
The Book Parade
1958
Note
Script for radio broadcast, book review of TALE OF VALOR by Verdis Fisher.
box 6, folder 2
Chapter on dwarf elephants of San Nicols
Note
Similar to material in chapter 3 of . . . AND BRING ALL YOUR FOLKS. ca. 1959.
box 6, folder 3
CRUISE OF THE COW
Note
Chapters 1-14. ca. 1951.
box 6, folder 4
CRUISE OF THE COW
Note
Chapters 15-28. ca. 1951.
box 6, folder 5
CRUISE OF THE COW
Note
Chapters 29-43. ca. 1951.
box 6, folder 6
FROM THESE WINDOWS
Note
First draft. ca. 1955.
box 6, folder 7
Report on flight deck efficiency, USS Sicily
box 6, folder 8
SHIP THAT CAME IN
Note
Unpublished typescript.
box 6, folder 10
Notebook
Note
Includes notes for I COVER THE WATERFRONT. ca. 1932.
box 6, folder 11
Notebook
Note
Includes notes for HE WENT AWAY FOR A WHILE. ca. 1932.
box 6, folder 12
Notebook
Note
Includes notes related to HE WENT AWAY FOR A WHILE. ca. 1932.
box 6, folder 13
Notebook
Note
Notes from England and France for THE FAR SHORE. ca. 1944.
box 6, folder 14
Notebook
Note
Notes from Ireland, England, and Europe for THE FAR SHORE. ca. 1944.
box 6, folder 16
Notebook
Note
Includes notes related to material in THE CRUISE OF THE COW. ca. 1951.
box 6, folder 17
Notebook
Note
Includes notes for CRUISE OF THE COW. ca. 1951.
box 6, folder 18
Notebook
Note
Miscellaneous notes and addresses. ca. 1952.
box 7, folder 1
Notebook
Note
Includes notes related to the oil industry. ca. 1953.
box 7, folder 2
Notebook
Note
Includes notes used in SHINNY ON YOUR OWN SIDE and project with working title THAT HOUSE IS MINE. ca. 1957.
box 7, folder 4
Cannibal series, THE EVERETT NEWS
1924
box 7, folder 5
Tell it on the Marines, SAN DIEGO SUN
box 7, folder 6
It Seems to Max Miller, NEW YORK WORLD TELEGRAM
1932
box 7, folder 7
Before I Forget, SAN DIEGO SUN
box 7, folder 8
Articles - Miscellaneous
1924 - 1967
box 7, folder 15
Miller, Max and Ernie Pyle
1945 - 1947
box 7, folder 16
SAN DIEGO SUN
1938 - 1980
box 7, folder 17
Newspaper Clippings - Miscellaneous
box 7, folder 18
AND BRING ALL YOUR FOLKS
1959 - 1960
box 7, folder 19
THE FAR SHORE
1944 - 1945
box 7, folder 21
IT MUST BE THE CLIMATE
1941 - 1942
box 7, folder 22
PROMISED LAND
1945 - 1946
box 7, folder 23
A STRANGER CAME TO PORT
1938 - 1941
box 7, folder 26
Miller, Max
Note
Includes images of Miller with others, some published in FOG AND MEN ON BERING SEA. ca. 1936.
box 7, folder 27
Miller, Max
Note
Three informal portraits, digital printouts from original negatives with envelope labeled "Negatives for THE LULL." ca. 1946.
box 7, folder 28
Miller, Max
Note
Marlin fishing. n.d.
box 7, folder 29
The Miller Sisters
Note
Photographs of novelty band featuring Miller for story by Constance Herreshoff for SAN DIEGO UNION, "Miller Sisters (No Sisters)
..." December 9, 1945.
box 7, folder 30
The Miller Sisters
Note
Photographs of novelty band featuring Miller practicing at a private residence. n.d.
box 7, folder 31, oversize FB43902
box 7, folder 32, oversize FB43903
Photo Album, "Max Miller's Pictures of the Pacific Theater, World War II," n.d
box 7, folder 33, oversize FB43904
Photo Album. "S.S. Ernie Pyle Launching," 1945
box 7, folder 35
A Reporter Learns to Fly
Note
SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS, vol 1 no 3 (December 1927).
box 7, folder 37
Datebook
1933
Note
Used as address book.
box 8, folder 3
Expense books
1953
Note
Include appointments.
box 8, folder 4
Miller, Margaret Ripley -- ALONG OUR COAST scrapbook, ca. 1942
box 8, folder 6
Miller, Margaret Ripley?
Note
Stenographer's notebook.
box 8, folder 7
"My Diary"
1935
Note
Two notebooks each including short entries by unidentified authors.
box 8, folder 9
Pamphlets - Miscellaneous
box 8, folder 11
Publication announcements
1934 - 1951
