LARGE AND ENTERTAINING SENDAK-ILLUSTRATED POSTER PROMOTING READING IS FUNDAMENTAL'S CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD 1979, FEATURING MAX AND TWO WILD THINGS, INSCRIBED BY SENDAK FOR PRESENTATION TO HIS CLOSE FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR

SENDAK, Maurice. Poster inscribed ["Reading Is Fun!"]. New York: Reading Is Fundamental, 1979. Color poster, measuring 23-1/2 by 37 inches; professionally lined, floated and framed; entire piece measures 27-1/2 by 41-1/4 inches. $3500.

Outstanding color poster, illustrated by Maurice Sendak with three Wild Things characters, entitled "Reading Is Fun!" and commemorating the International Year of the Child 1979 for Reading Is Fundamental, inscribed at the bottom of the image for presentation to his close friend and neighbor: "For Elizabeth, Maurice Sendak Oct '79."

This poster, entitled "Reading Is Fun!," advertised the International Year of the Child 1979 for the children's literacy non-profit Reading Is Fundamental. Sendak's illustration depicts the Wild Thing, Bernard, in a party hat lifting his knife and fork over a stack of tasty books including Randolph Caldecott Picture Books, Grimm, and Nursery Rhymes. His fellow Wild Thing, Moishe, wear a book on his head and holds a cocktail made of a book and a maraschino cherry. Max, reclining on the ground in front of them in his monster costume, reads Where the Wild Things Are. Hanrahan C7b. 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.