“WITH HAPPY MUSIC”: BEAUTIFUL BIRTHDAY POSTER INSCRIBED BY DR. SEUSS

SEUSS, Dr. Poster inscribed (“Happy 80th Birthday, Dr. Seuss!”). [New York]: Random House, [1984]. Folio, one sheet measuring 17 by 22 inches, mounted on foamboard. $4000.

Lovely large color Random House publicity poster commemorating Dr. Seuss’ 80th birthday in 1984, inscribed by the beloved children’s author-illustrator to a writer for young adults, “With happy music for Lenore Fleischer, Dr. Seuss.” Mint condition.

A boisterous parade of Cats in their Hats march across the face of this whimsical poster, singing the birthday praises of their creator. On March 2, 1984, “Random House gave a sumptuous [80th] birthday party [for Geisel] at the New York Public Library for about 200 guests… While popping champagne echoed throughout the lofty hall, Vartan Gregorian, the library president, observed that Dr. Seuss ‘helps us always to remember that we are young, and never to forget that we are responsible…Toasts continued around the United States, even on the floor of the Senate… Seuss characters took over the cover of the mass-circulation Parade magazine in a euphoric birthday salute… Momentum swept Dr. Seuss through the spring of 1984,” culminating in his receipt of the Pulitzer Prize in April (Morgan & Morgan, 253-55). Most likely inscribed to Lenore Fleischer, author of several movie novelizations for young readers.

A fine piece, suitable for framing.