SELF-PORTRAIT as CARICATURE; [Pencil Sketch / Self-Caricature Signed]

No Place: Sendak, 1963. Original drawing by the Author-Illustrator. Very Good +. SELF-CARICATURE SIGNED by MAURICE SENDAK, the famous illustrator-&-author of children's books. <br/>8vo (6.5" x 9"), humorous pencil sketch & self-caricature by MAURICE SENDAK with Lewis Carrollean-aspects on translucent drawing paper. EXCEEDINGLY RARE SIGNED humorous SELF PORTRAIT--head & hat to feet--of Maurice Sendak drawn lightly in pencil on tracing paper (presumably a "rough" or "prelim"[inary] sketch) that has been Signed lightly but fully. One horizontal fold at bottom of self portrait.<br/><br/>The artist depicts himself looking and smiling at the viewer in his "Where the Wild Things Are" inimitable style. <br/><br/>The artist-illustrator's hat recalls Tenniel's sketch of the Mad Hatter in Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. An exhuberant Sendak has written "Fun! Ha! Ha!" and "Ho! He!" <br/><br/>Based upon other pieces by Sendak, his use of "Ha! Ha!" may echo his elation after the enormous success of "Where the Wild Things Are."<br/><br/>This piece is Much Rarer than Sendak's famous and highly regarded book illustrations!<br/><br/>Maurice Bernard Sendak (1928 - 2012) was an American illustrator and writer of children's books. He became widely known for his book Where the Wild Things Are, first published in 1963. Born to Jewish-Polish parents, his childhood was affected by the death of many of his family members during the Holocaust. Sendak also wrote works such as In the Night Kitchen, Outside Over There, and illustrated many works by other authors including the Little Bear books by Else Holmelund Minarik.<br/><br/>He won practically every award for illustrating children's books; most notably: the Caldecott Medal from the ALA as illustrator of "the most distinguished American picture book for children", Where the Wild Things Are, 1964 (Sendak was also one of the Caldecott runners-up seven times from 1954 to 1982, more than any other illustrator. Also, the National Book Award in category Picture Books for Outside Over There, 1982.