Maurice Sendak Masterpieces Lead Illustration Art Sale

Where the Wild Things Are illustrations are among 28 works by Maurice Sendak at Heritage Auctions' May 2 auction which also features other pieces with a literary theme.

Mounted upon the release of the 2008 film adaptation by Spike Jonze, the Sendak in Soho show at New York's AFA Gallery was the first time this grouping of costume and set designs, poster art and the author's only bronze sculpture was unveiled to the public. The exhibition's works went on to be featured in the traveling show Maurice Sendak: 50 Years, 50 Works, 50 Reasons. The Heritage auction offers the featured artworks with the capsule grouping 50 Years of Sendak: The Museum Tour Collection within the larger auction.

"This exhibit traveled all over the United States for over a decade then came directly to us," said Meagen McMillan, Heritage's Senior Specialist of Illustration Art. "It's one of the first times that people are able to acquire art directly from a museum exhibition."

Imagery from Sendak's take on The Nutcracker and his own In The Night Kitchen are also going under the hammer, as well as his final 1988original poster artwork for the John F. Kennedy Center's Imagination Celebration in watercolor and ink on paper.