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 September 16, 1962, Indiana records hearing "banging and whistling on [the] street below," which was the police trying to find him in order notify him that Agnes Martin had been taken into custody in "a dazed condition." Indiana notes trying to reach numerous people, and that her condition had been described as manic-depressive.

Indiana then describes a visit by the collectors the Berliners, who explained that their small apartment would only accommodate small canvases. He writes that "they took Coenties Slip ([the] small original version) on [the] spot, and asked for a smaller Octagon (blue) and for a reserve on Mate if it is priced at $500. Many stories from Mrs. Berliner on how they missed out on great investments wholly because she was not ready [to] accept [the] particular artist’s work." Indiana also notes introducing the Berliners to James and Mary Lou Rosenquist.

Indiana records goint to Bellevue Hospital, where Martin had been transferred, with the Rosenquists and J. (his partner, fashion designer John Kloss). There they met up with Arthur Carr (a psychiatrist and art collector), who had volunteered his services when informed of the situation. After they visited Lou Winter, who lived across the street, to see his art collection, and then the Rosenquists, Indiana, and J. had dinner, "a gloomy meal of lamb and green beans in [the] old manner. End on depression."