Dr. Seuss was determined some of his interests and artworks should be shared only after his death. In The Cat Behind the Hat, Caroline M. Smith makes them generally known for the first time.
For one, there was the hat collection in his secret closet.
As the book’s publisher Bob Chase told public radio listeners:
On the discovery of Geisel’s affinity for collecting hats and where they have been stored for seventy years:
“In an actual secret chamber. And the only thing that’s in that chamber that is really interesting is his hat collection. He collected hats. He traveled to 30 countries in the 1930s, if you can imagine that. Thirty countries in the 1930s. And in those travels, he collected hats. So his private hat collection as well as the artwork was stashed in this closet. It was amazing.”
Shades of Bartholomew Cubbins!
Even more interesting is the revelation of Seuss’ darker, and intensely personal paintings. As explained in the promotional copy on Amazon:
This exquisitely produced collector’s edition holds four exclusive lithographs along with a cloth-covered edition of The Cat Behind the Hat, a beautifully illustrated book that redefines Dr. Seuss as an iconic American artist. Illustrator by day, surrealist by night, Dr. Seuss created a body of little-known work that he called his “Midnight Paintings.” For sixty years, this work allowed Geisel to expand his artistic boundaries outside the confines of commercial influences and deadlines. The book exuberantly juxtaposes Geisel’s “Midnight Paintings” with his best -loved children’s books. Though he fiercely protected his “Midnight Paintings” from criticism during his lifetime, his intention all along was for these works to be seen when he was gone. This comprehensive look at the art that he created over his lifetime, along with four frame-able prints, is an eye-opening peek behind the public persona into the real story of the man who was Dr. Seuss.
The book costs a mere $180 – maybe you can work a package deal with someone who will give it to you as your Christmas, birthday and Groundhog’s Day present.
[Thanks to John King Tarpinian for the story.]
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Seuss!
Bill beat me to it. “Seuss” — E before U
Mike made a spelling error, So Seuss Him!!!
As everybody knows, it’s spelled Geisel…
So sayeth of Gospel of Geisel.
Were the hats found in a Cubbin Cabinet?
The $180.00 price tag is for that edition with the four prints. Else, on Amazon, is sells for a little less than $48.00. I might even buy it after I get my Christmas bonus.
I wonder “how much” art was used for this book, and how much is still unseen.
“Hidden darker side” — haven’t you seen DR SEUSS GOES TO WAR. his editorial cartoons for the New York newspaper PM? His portrayal of Japanese people, for example . . .
Well, and the good Doctor wrote the first few screen scripts for the Private Snafu cartoons for Warner Brothers. They were directed by Chuck Jones, and this began a long association, with Jones’ art style mimicing Dr Suess’ style.
The buck toothed coke bottle glasses and rodent like faces was done by many cartoonists and a good handful of WW2 cartoons used this fixed character portrayal. It was and remains propaganda. This is the understood association. Doesn’t make it any cleaner.
Disney did quite a few films in this vien. It wasn’t anything really dark, and it was sactioned by the USA.