LARGE POSTER OF A WILD THING BEING DECORATED LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE, SIGNED BY MAURICE SENDAK
SENDAK, Maurice. Poster signed ["The Art of Maurice Sendak"]. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1980. Color poster, measuring 21 by 26 inches, closely framed. $3500.
Lovely color-printed poster with an image of children decorating a Wild Thing as if he were a Christmas tree, signed by Maurice Sendak.
A note at the bottom of the poster indicates that "This painting was commissioned for the December 30, 1976 issue of Rolling Stone." Sendak chose this poster to be included in his Posters collection, one of only 24 to be selected. Hanrahan C8. The former owner of this 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.