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.

Indiana's journal page for June 20, 1962, includes a sketch of "Corlears Hook," the second panel of The Melville Triptych. Indiana records that he worked on the layout of the painting, drawing its hook shape and transferring the letters to the canvas. He notes that he took the time to cut out a black construction paper pattern of the work, which greatly facilitated the whole operation.

Indiana also mentions making a second call to art dealer Eleanor Ward, which brought no results—"yesterday she [was] busy w/ a photographer [and] today she [has] bursitis." And as he does most days, he records his meals: French toast for lunch, and hamburgers, corn on the cob, baked potatoes, and peaches for dinner.