- unitid
-
{"value"=>"186618", "type"=>"local_mss"}
{"value"=>"b23578823", "type"=>"local_b"}
{"value"=>"MssCol 186618", "type"=>"local_call"}
- unitdate
-
{"value"=>"1954-2001", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1954/2001"}
{"value"=>"1954-1992", "type"=>"bulk", "normal"=>"1954/1992"}
- unittitle
-
{"value"=>"Louise Halsey collection of letters from Maurice Sendak"}
- physdesc
-
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"1 box", "unit"=>"containers"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"0.21 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear_feet"}]}
- repository
-
{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">Manuscripts and Archives</span>"}
- abstract
-
{"value"=>"The Louise Halsey collection of letters from Maurice Sendak consists of letters by illustrator and author Maurice Sendak sent to Louise Halsey and her family. The letters date from Halsey's childhood in the 1950s through 2001."}
- langmaterial
-
{"value"=>"English"}
- origination
-
{"value"=>"Halsey, Louise", "type"=>"persname", "role"=>"col"}
- bioghist
-
{"value"=>"<p>Maurice Sendak (1928-2012) was an American illustrator and children's book author. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Sendak began drawing professionally in the late 1940s and began writing and illustrating children's books in the 1950s. In 1964 Sendak wrote and illustrated <span class=\"title\">Where the Wild Things Are</span>, to critical acclaim.</p> <p>Louise Halsey was born in 1949 in South Carolina. Her parents, artist William Halsey (1915-1999) and Corrie McCallum (1914-2009) met and befriended Sendak at Castle Hill in Ipswich, Massachusetts, where Halsey's father taught a summer art program. The Halsey family began exchanging letters with Sendak in the 1950s. Louise Halsey began sharing letters with Sendak when she was a young girl, and they continued to correspond well into her adulthood.</p> <p>Sendak primarily lived in New York, and would write to the Halsey family in Charleston, South Carolina. In the 1950s and 1960s, Sendak often traveled to Europe and spent time writing and illustrating his books. Early letters mention these travels and inquire about Halsey's experience in school and summer vacation. In addition to letters, Halsey would send Sendak her paintings, and the author encouraged her artistic talents. Sendak's story <span class=\"title\">Very Far Away</span> has a dedication that reads: \"For Louise Halsey, who has lots of time for everybody.\"</p> <p>After graduating from Sarah Lawrence College in 1971, Halsey began pursuing a career as an artist. Her work is primarily in weaving, particularly tapestry. In 1978, Halsey married Stephen Driver and had two children, Alice Laurel Driver and Ian Halsey Driver. Halsey is a practicing artist and currently lives in Oark, Arkansas.</p>"}
- scopecontent
-
{"value"=>"<p>The Louise Halsey collection of letters from Maurice Sendak contains fifty-two letters from Maurice Sendak to Louise Halsey. Several letters feature ink drawings or decorations by Sendak. The first letter was sent in 1954, and the last in 2001.</p> <p>Most letters are addressed to Louise Halsey, but there are also some letters present addressed to her parents William Halsey and Corrie McCallum. There are also some cards addressed to the whole family.</p> <p>All of the letters are handwritten and contain recollections of Sendak's daily life and the progress of his work. In many letters Sendak asks questions about Halsey's life and the progress of her art practice, often requesting gifts of Halsey's weaving or other artwork.</p> <p>In his letters, Sendak uses wordplay, puns, and illustrations, conventions similar to those used in his published writing. He specifically mentions the writing and publication of <span class=\"title\">Nutshell Library</span> and <span class=\"title\">Where the Wild Things Are</span>. Sendak describes living in New York, traveling to other cities in Europe, theater, television, animals, and his friendship with Halsey. Sendak often signed his letters \"Marko\" or \"Mark\" with an illustration or affection from his dogs, often his terrier, Jennie. </p>"}
- arrangement
-
{"value"=>"<p>The Louise Halsey collection of letters from Maurice Sendak are arranged chronologically.</p>"}
- acqinfo
-
{"value"=>"<p>Purchased from Louise Halsey in 2024.</p>"}
- processinfo
-
{"value"=>"<p>Processed by <span class=\"name\">Emily P. Dunne</span> in <span class=\"date\">2025</span></p>"}
- date_start
-
1954
- keydate
-
1954
- date_end
-
2001
- date_inclusive_start
-
1954
- date_inclusive_end
-
2001
- date_bulk_start
-
1954
- date_bulk_end
-
1992
- prefercite
-
{"value"=>"Louise Halsey collection of letters from Maurice Sendak, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library"}