Where the Wild Things Are by SENDAK (Maurice): - 1963

SENDAK (Maurice) [1928–2012]

Where the Wild Things Are

New York: Harper & Row, 1963

Presentation copy, Inscribed with drawing of "Max" in his wolf suit:

"For Hilary Knight" signed and dated "Dec. '63"

Oblong 4to., [32] pp.; pictorial cloth-backed boards

First edition, First printing

Printed Dust-jacket

First edition, First issue with jacket flap "$3.50"; rear flap with only three paragraph blurb; the binding spine ends uniquely shaped like a "butterfly" (with two diagonal indentations; all later spine ends less pronounced); noticeable off-registry of the pictures, evident here specially on the frontispiece (this was apparently resolved by the third printing); original dust-jacket (browned and slightly chipped)

Hilary Knight became the star of children's book illustrators after the success of "Eloise" and its three sequels (1955-1959). This presentation by Sendak is an acknowledgement of Hilary's prominence, inscribed just a few weeks after publication. Wonderful association copy.