A first edition of the 1955 classic children's book Harold and the Purple Crayon is inscribed, "To Maury, with fond regards, Crockett Johnson." Maury is, we are told, none other than illustrator Maurice Sendak, who was to collaborate with Ruth Krauss, Johnson's wife, on an eventual eight books. This first Harold book is currently available from Raptis Rare Books priced at $40,000. While I don't doubt the provenance claimed by any such reputable bookseller, I always wonder how a potential buyer would be able to demonstrate, years from now, that "Maury" is indeed the famous children's book author and illustrator. Does the book, for example, have an estate stamp? Does the current seller, perhaps, provide a letter of provenance? How exactly does the person plunking down forty grand today get to assure interested parties decades from now that this unique book is truly a most special association copy? (Surely, referring to this old blog post won't be quite enough.)
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| Crockett Johnson AbeBooks listing accessed November 30, 2022 |
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