BEAUTIFUL COLOR POSTER FOR CORSARO AND SENDAK'S BOOK ABOUT THEIR OPERA PRODUCTION OF PROKOFIEV'S LOVE OF THREE ORANGES, INSCRIBED BY SENDAK FOR PRESENTATION TO HIS CLOSE FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR

SENDAK, Maurice. Poster inscribed ["The Love for Three Oranges"]. (New York): Farrar Straus Giroux, [1984]. Color poster, measuring 18 by 14 inches; handsomely framed, entire piece measures 19-1/2 by 15-1/2 inches. $1800.

Lovely color poster, illustrated by Maurice Sendak, promoting the 1984 book companion to Corsaro and Sendak's 1982 adaptation of Prokofiev's opera, inscribed in the lower margin for presentation to Sendak's close friend and neighbor: "For Elizabeth—from Maurice Sendak. Dec. '85."

This poster advertises the Farrar, Straus, and Giroux book, The Love of Three Oranges, offering a behind-the-scenes look including transcribed conversations from the 1982 opera of the same name. The Prokofiev opera was directed by Corsaro at the Glyndebourne Festival in 1982, with sets and costumes by Sendak. The poster's illustration is unusually bawdy for Sendak, in keeping with the overall feel of the opera. Hanrahan C11. The former owner of this inscribed poster 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). 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.