Sendak, Maurice. In the Night Kitchen
(New York): Harper & Row, no date. Presentation copy, inscribed by Sendak on front free endpaper to "The Magic Lynn" (Lynn Caponera), Sendak's caretaker for more than 30 years, and with a superb full-page color illustration by him of the book's protagonist, Mickey, naked and floating in a hot air balloon: "Happy Birthday! With all my love--always & always Maurice April 9, 91" Publisher's beige linen-covered boards, pictorial color cover label, in original dust-jacket, with Caldecott medal on front panel.
A superb presentation copy, inscribed by Sendak and with a magnificent full-page illustration by him, for "The Magic Lynn" (Lynn Caponera), his long-time caretaker. The illustration shows the book's protagonist, Mickey, naked and wearing a birthday hat and holding a flute, and with arms and leg outstretched, while floating above the clouds in a hot air balloon. As Justin Schiller notes, "This is the most elaborate inscription I have ever known Maurice doing for anyone. It demonstrates how important Lynn was to his life and daily living."
A fine copy.
This lot is located in Philadelphia.
Provenance
From the collection of Justin G. Schiller
