Description:

Maurice Sendak, Three Signed Revealing Letters To Author Jan Wahl "Tolstoy Has Gone Into Hiding"

Three autograph letters signed from Maurice Sendak to children's book author Jan Wahl. Important association letters with superb content. Sendak was in frequent communication with Wahl both as a friend, but also for business. Each letter is described in more detail below, and each letter is accompanied by the original slightly grubby mailing envelopes with two of which are autographed and signed by Sendak on their versos with his return mailing address, the other envelope is missing a part of the verso. Accompanied by a worn copy of Jan's book published in foreign language, however the book still shows Sendak's stunning artwork found within Jan Wahl's book. Ex: The Estate of Jan Wahl:

1. Three page letter on a bifolium. Dated "January 21, 1961", and signed by Maurice Sendak as "yours, Maurice". Sendak's letter covers several topics from his recent illness, to books he is illustrating. But the reader comes away with understanding Sendak's creativity but more so, his need to create something "new and real".. the very element of the seeds that would propel many of his self authored and illustrated books.  "...I tremble for my Random House book - a dear little book that present me with overwhelming problems. I'm on new ground - thus I have screamingly ripped up at least 10 drawings. The book begs for something new - I beg for something new - but what is it? Anyway, it is due Feb 15 - + I'll never never get it right. It's all stiff + disjointed (me + the pictures)- but it is something new + I am exited - let the results stink to high heaven-! I couldn't care less - only let it be truly new + real!..". Near fine condition with expected folds.

2.Three page letter on a bifolium. Dated "April 14, 1961", and signed by Maurice Sendak as "Maurice", discussing the timing for the two to get together. Very good with tiny stain.

3. Four page letter on a bifolium. Dated "May 20, 1961", and signed by Maurice Sendak as "Maurice". Near fineSendak references a work in progress by Jan Wahl which was ultimately titled "How the Children Stopped the Wars", but in this letter the two were considering different titles for Wahls book. Sendak also makes note that he "sold a dopey little verse story to Harpers - + I can now move to a new abode in splendor. Will be working on it during summer + fall. Tolstoy has gone into hiding". Sendak then continues along a different topic,  ".... I am haunted though by one thought. We both are instinctively attracted to this dream - but what does that mean? I mean the dream. I am so passionately in love with the idea - it sits in me solidly, squarely like only the best ideas do .. I draw, it isn't enough for me to tell + illuminate this fable... I don't see it floating isolated- like - just purely simply fable - I know it means something + says something deeply truthful- valid and real - but what?

This passionate response from Sendak was not further identified in the letter, however he had alluded that this was not the first time the two spoke about this 'dream'. Whether it was a dream or vision for Children's books, or something regarding their private lives will forever remain between the two. However it would only two years later that Sendak wrote a very different, very unique, groundbreaking book, "Where The Wild Things Are", followed by another book which also broke barriers of sexuality in children's book with Night Kitchen". 

A superb set of revealing letters, with a fantastic association!

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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