The Griffin and the Minor Canon.

Inscribed by Sendak and with a small pen and ink drawing.

Illustrated by Maurice Sendak. First edition with Sendak's illustrations. Square 8vo. Original quarter grey cloth with grey paper covered boards blind stamped to the front, lettered in white, dust jacket. New York, Holt, Rinehart & Winston.

With a small illustration in blue ink of the Minor Canon and inscription from Sendak to Julia MacRae: "June '67 For Julia - affectionately Maurice". 

Julia MacRae (1934-2023) was an important figure in the world of children's publishing, some of her significant contributions include Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas. During her career she worked as an editor for Constable, Collins and Hamish Hamilton where she became the first female board member and one of the first women in any publisher’s boardroom. In an interview with 'Women in Publishing: An Oral History' MacRae speaks about her experiences as the first female member of the board, and how hard she had to work to get there. 

In 1979 she left Hamish Hamilton having become not only the managing director of the children’s book division, but also the director of both Hamilton and its parent company Thomson Books. She established her own imprint Julia MacRae Books, initially part of Franklin Watts, then Walker Books, and finally Random Century. 

A very good copy, a little wear to the tips, and spine panel head and tail with some chipping, spine panel a little toned, small tear to the left of the front cover. Jacket clipped to the lower corner of the front flap but retaining original price of $3.50. 

Stock Code: 255357