Robert Indiana kept a series of illustrated journals during the late 1950s and 1960s, in which he discusses the development of his work as well as his daily life on Coenties Slip.

In his journal entry for December 11, 1961, Indiana reports finally receiving a letter from Dorothy Miller of the Museum of Modern Art and some questionnaires regarding Moon and The American Dream, I, and that "their acquisition now seems pretty certain." He writes: "Unfortunately, however, spent [the] day filling out three pages of questions, culminating with my philosophy toward society and art. Did not take [this] too seriously, making any grand statements like [Ellsworth] Kelly"

Indiana notes that he called Kelly for advice, and Kelly reported that he had seen French Atomic Bomb at the Cordier-Warren Gallery, and that the Donald and Harriet Peters collection (which included Indiana's sculpture) was up for sale.