ONE OF 250 COPIES SIGNED BY MAURICE SENDAK

SENDAK, Maurice. Caldecott & Co. Notes on Books and Pictures. New York: Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, (1988). Octavo, original black cloth gilt, original slipcase. $450.

Signed limited first edition, number 102 of only 250 copies signed by Sendak.

"Vivify, quicken, and vitalize— of these three synonyms," Sendak posits, "quicken, I think, best suggests the genuine spirit of animation… It is no difficult matter for an artist to simulate action, but it is something else to quicken, to create an inner life that draws breath from the artist's deepest perception." This is a collection of Sendak's essays, written over a 25-year period, on such writers and illustrators as Randolph Caldecott, Beatrix Potter, and Maxfield Parrish. Hanrahan A127. The former owner of this 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). In inscriptions, Betty is often referred to as "Elizabeth"; Sendak felt that her name was "common" and didn't suit her. The many inscribed drawings, along with first editions, signed books, limited edition books, and other valuable items grew into one of the country's premier Sendak collections.

Fine condition.