Description:

Sendak Maurice
Maurice Sendak signed envelope addressed to Herbert H. Hosmer of Little Book House Museum

Cream colored envelope inscribed overall by children's illustrator Maurice Sendak (1928-2012), including his signature as "Maurice Sendak" in the return address label section. Postmarked from New York City on March 14, 1971, the stamp embossed envelope is addressed to "Herbert Hosmer, Little Book House Museum, 57 East George Hill Road, South Lancaster, Massachusetts, 01561". The envelope shows minor toning around edges, the whole measuring 6.5" x 3.625". Accompanied by a flyer from the University of Connecticut announcing its convocation ceremony for honorary degree recipient Sendak in 1990.

 

In 1971, Sendak was living in a basement apartment in Greenwich Village. It was here, at 29 West 9th Street, that Sendak composed his most famous illustrated story Where The Wild Things Are in 1963.

 

Herbert H. Hosmer, Jr. (1913-1995) was a lifelong toy collector of antique paper cut-outs, moveable toys, games, doll houses, and children's books. He exhibited his collectibles at his home and at the Little Book House Museum (also known as the John Greene Chandler Memorial) in South Lancaster, Massachusetts. Hosmer also operated the Toy Cupboard Theater, also located on the grounds, for fifty years after its opening in July 1941, interpreting fairytales with his own hand-crafted marionettes. Hosmer also wrote extensively about collecting, especially about Victorian doll houses.

 

Hosmer became legendary in the field of children's collectibles, and Sendak was influenced by his work. Sendak even referenced Hosmer in an illustration from In the Night Kitchen (1970). Sendak's illustration of cake ingredients features a box of sugar called "Hosmer's Free Running Sugar … Product of South Lancaster."

 

On September 5 1990, Maurice Sendak received an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts degree from the University of Connecticut. Other recipients from that year included insurance executives, astronauts, diplomats, and retired district judges. Another illustrator would not be so honored by UCONN until Tomie dePaola (born 1934) in 1999. In 2004, Sendak returned to campus to present a Robert H. Gray Memorial Lecture in the Arts series.

 

Maurice Sendak was an award-winning children's book illustrator and author. Always interested in design, Sendak began his career by illustrating comic books and designing toy company shop windows. Where The Wild Things Are was followed by In the Night Kitchen (1970) and Outside Over There (1983). Sendak also created, wrote, and produced animated children's television programs.

 

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