You’re Only Old Once Cover Study I

Dr. Seuss

Original Artwork

12×8.25 in

Watercolor, crayon, and colored pencil

Pictured is one of two original cover studies for Dr. Seuss’ best-selling book You’re Only Old Once! A Book for Obsolete Children which was #1 on the NY Times list in 1986, and remained on the list for over 60 weeks; it remains one of the best-selling books of all time. This was one of only two Seuss picture books for adults (the other is his first book, The Seven Lady Godivas, in 1939).

These cover studies were previously owned by Maurice Sendak, who got them directly from Audrey Geisel in 1995. As far as we are aware this is the only original Seuss book illustration work that remained in private hands and is currently for sale. Sendak was likely the only person to whom Audrey Geisel would have parted with an original drawing. She sent Sendak two to choose from, and not surprisingly, he ended up keeping both.