POSTER INSCRIBED BY MAURICE SENDAK TO A CLOSE FRIEND

SENDAK, Maurice. Poster inscribed ["Children's Book Showcase"]. No place: Children's Book Council, 1976. Color poster, measuring 17 by 22 inches; handsomely matted and framed, entire piece measures 21 by 26 inches. $2800.

Lovely color-printed poster inscribed by Maurice Sendak to a close friend, "for Michael from Maurice," with Sendak having filled in the blank fields "Place," "Date" and "Times" with "Ridgefield, Conn.," "Feb. 14, '76" and "Terrific!"

Sendak chose the image at the top of this poster to be included in his Posters collection, one of only 24 to be selected. Hanrahan C5l. The former owner of this inscribed poster was Maurice Sendak's neighbor, Andrew, from Ridgefield, Connecticut; the inscribee, Michael, was Andrew's brother. 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). Sendak often referred to Betty as "Elizabeth" in inscriptions as he felt that "Betty" was too common a name. 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.