Hillary Knight ( American,b.1926).
Collection of hand-signed 1st edition books including hand-written annotation.
Christmas Nutshell Library: set of four volumes complete, inside a pictorial dust-jacket. FIRST EDITION, the artists own copy with his full hand-written signature on the front panel of the box and also signed in ink on the title-page of each book.
Mini Book Titles: The Night Before Christmas, A Christmas Stocking Story, Angels & Berries & Candy Canes, A Firefly In A Fir Tree.
Publisher: Harper & Row, 1963.

Large picture book version of A Firefly In A Fir Tree, a parody of the Twelve Days of Christmas, signed by Hilary Knight in ink on the title page and dated, including sheet of ruled paper laid inside with the artists ink annotations: "MORE REWORKINGS. This had completely different illustrations-and was one of the 4 tiny books in my Christmas Nutshell Library, MY CAT RUFF gets a portrait (back and front views) on back cover & intro page".
Condition: good original estate condition.
Provenance: private estate.

Maurice Sendak invented the NUTSHELL LIBRARY books in 1962. His editor Ursula Nordstrom suggested to Hilary Knight that he create a Christmas set in 1963. Its publication, however outraged Sendak because he saw it as an infringement on his original work. Harper & Row did not want to upset either artist, so it was agreed that the Christmas Nutshell Library would never be reprinted. A rare and appealing Sendak imitation by the artist of ELOISE (1954)

Good original estate condition.
In-house shipping available.