Harper & Row Publishers [1988], New York. One of 220 special copies of the 25th Anniversary Edition bound in full light blue leather and housed in a special clamshell case. Signed by Sendak on the half-title page, and with an original drawing signed by Sendak and dated Sept 88 laid in. Illustration is on a card measuring 5 inches by 6 inches. Also included is the original cardboard container from the publisher with matching limitation number. fine, blue leather (hardcover) in original clamshell box.

I purchased this copy from the estate of the original owner who purchased this copy from Bauman Rare Books in New York City in 1997. A copy of their New York Times ad, including this book, is laid in. In the late 1990s I purchased the estate of Ursula Nordstrom who discovered Maurice Sendak. Sendak and I traded back and forth, and the material he received from me is now in the Rosenbach Museum in Philadelphia. The country’s foremost Sendak authority recently told me I had underpriced this book. He said, if seen, it is priced from $6500 to $7500. It is currently for sale in my bookshop for $5000.

below is the front of the clamshell box – note small bump to the top right corner

and, the clamshell box opened up

the limitation piece close up

when the book is opened laid in is the envelop with the original drawing.

I have not shown Sendak’s signature on the half-title page — what makes this copy truly unique is the fact that the original matching number shipping box from the publisher still exists

and, also included is a xerox of the NY Time’s ad when this book was sold by Baumans