By 1954, Sendak was beginning to find his talents more recognized, and illustration assignments began to come his way. Item 33 is Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's Farm, by Betty MacDonald, illustrated by Sendak. What an unfortunate name that poor lady had. Presumably her produce made its way to the shelves of her local Piggly Wiggly supermarket. $275.

Item 50 represents another milestone for Sendak. The book is Kenny's Window, and it was the first book written as well as illustrated by him. This is a first edition, published in 1956.

Of course no Sendak bibliography is complete without his most famous work of all, Where the Wild Things Are. There probably isn't anyone who can't picture the front cover illustration of this book in their mind. I'm not sure what that creature is, but I have no desire to meet one. Item 136 is a 1963 first edition in a first issue jacket. $6,500.

Item 167 is a first edition of his 1967 book: Higglety Pigglety Pop! Or There Must Be More to Life. $175. Like many of these books, Hanrahan offers many foreign language editions, which gives us a chance to see how one translates "Higglety Pigglety Pop." Here we go. In Dutch, it is Iggletje Piggeltje Pop. The Dutch are big on silent "j's." In Spanish, it's Didola Pidola Pon. In Norwegian, it is Rikketi Dikketi Plopp.

J & J Hanrahan may be reached at 207-646-1811.