FIRST AMERICAN TRADE EDITION OF I SAW ESAU, SIGNED BY ILLUSTRATOR MAURICE SENDAK

(SENDAK, Maurice) OPIE, Iona and OPIE, Peter. I Saw Esau. The Schoolchild's Pocket Book. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, (1992). Octavo, original green paper boards, original dust jacket. $650.

First American trade edition, with dozens of beautiful color illustrations after watercolors by Maurice Sendak, signed on the half title by Maurice Sendak.

"These exuberant British children's rhymes, collected firsthand by two famous British folklorists, have been illustrated with wonderful drawings that provide answers to the riddles and make jokes" (New York Times). The rhymes were first published without Sendak's illustrations in 1947. The first edition with Sendak's illustrations was published in 1992; this is the first American trade edition, published the same year along with an signed/limited first American edition. The former owner of this signed book was Maurice Sendak's neighbor, Andrew, from Ridgefield, Connecticut. Sendak bought a home and studio in Ridgefield in 1972 with his longtime partner, Eugene Glynn, and lived there until his death. Andrew first encountered Sendak in 1975 during one of his daily dog walks. (Sendak owned many dogs throughout his life, and they often starred in his books.) Andrew was immediately taken with Sendak, who reminded him of his recently deceased father. One day, Andrew called Sendak at home and asked if he could join him on his walks. Andrew and Sendak thus embarked on a 37-year friendship that also included the Andrew's mother, Betty, as well as Andrew's brother. Sendak went on long walks and hikes with Andrew and his family regularly, discussing general life events, opera, and books. He also invited them into his studio to show off works in progress. Andrew's mother, Betty, was an avid reader and collector and she and Sendak would talk late into the night about books. Sendak offered Betty advice about how to find and authenticate rare children's books, which she used to build her collection. Additionally, he frequently bartered for autographs (i.e. a cake for an inscribed drawing featuring the cake). The many inscribed drawings, along with first editions, signed books, and other valuable items grew into one of the country's premier Sendak collections.

Fine condition.