TENTH ANNIVERSARY “NEW YORK IS BOOK COUNTRY” POSTER FEATURING A WILD THING, SIGNED BY SENDAK

SENDAK, Maurice. Poster signed ("New York Is Book Country: September 18, 1988"). New York: Harper & Row, 1988. One folio sheet, measuring 18-1/2 by 24 inches; framed, entire piece measures 21-1/4 by 26-1/2 inches. $2800.

Large original poster by Maurice Sendak promoting reading and the New York Public Library—featuring one of his iconic Wild Things devouring some good books as well as a festival banner—signed below the image by the artist.

Sendak, "widely considered the most important children's book artist of the 20th century… wrenched the picture book out of the safe, sanitized world of the nursery and plunged it into the dark, terrifying and hauntingly beautiful recesses of the human psyche" (New York Times). Sendak created this image in celebration of the tenth annual "New York is Book Country" festival, an open-air celebration of literature with public readings, book signings, concerts, games and other festivities, all designed to support the New York City Public Library's services to children. During the fair's history, Sendak contributed four posters (the inaugural poster in 1979, this anniversary poster in 1988, as well as posters for 1998 and 2003). Hanrahan C18b.

Fine condition.