THE HALLOWEEN KITE" - ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATION FROM THE HALLOWEEN TREE de Bradbury, Ray (novel); Mugnaini, Joseph (artwork) - 1972

N.p.: S.i., 1972. Superb original illustration by Joseph Anthony Mugnaini (1912-1992), distinguished Italian-American artist and illustrator, and a friend and collaborator of Ray Bradbury's since the early 1950's. A key illustration from The Halloween Tree, a beloved work which has transcended the children's book genre since it was first published in 1972. The "Halloween Kite" was the vehicle by which the main characters travel to the Halloween's of years past. Mugnaini's caption, slightly re-worded by Bradbury, appears on p.43 of the book, with the illustration appearing on the following page: "And the kite slowly ascended the cold river of swift flowing air, each boy in turn, seized with the whim, spurred by his wits, became more and yet more of the tail." The illustration was particularly significant to Bradbury, as it hung on the wall in his southern California home for more than 40 years; nine years after publication, when Bradbury and Mugnaini were planning what images would appear in their portfolio Ten Views of the Moon, Bradbury had his friend re-create the Halloween Kite for one of the lithographs, ultimately titled "Halloween." Provenance: From the private collection of Ray Bradbury, from ca.1972-2014, and acquired directly from the Bradbury estate. Original illustration by Joseph Mugnaini, rendered in pen & ink on white stock, measuring 10 1/8" x 7.5"; tastefully and archivally matted and framed behind plexiglass to an overall size of 13 1/8" x 11.5". Original holograph caption (presumed in Mugnaini's hand) mounted on verso of frame, reading: "Page 40 "the kite slowly ascended the cold river of flowing air". Near Fine. Accompanied by a letter of provenance by the author's daughter, Alexandra Bradbury. Offered together with an early printing of The Halloween Tree (in Currey's "B" binding without dustjacket, as issued) - a Fine copy, excepting some pinpoint wear to extremities - signed by both Bradbury and Mugnaini on the half-title page, and again by Mugnaini following the dedication page.