The Secret Closet

My discovery of the Dr. Seuss Collection began about twenty-five years ago. I was curating an exhibition that I wanted to center around surrealism and popular culture. That led me on a journey to connect with Audrey Geisel, Dr. Seuss’ wife, so that I could speak with her about the idea.

Eventually, I was able to meet her at her home—which was spectacular. At one point, she reached up to what looked like a Cat in the Hat book on the shelf. Instead of pulling out a book, it turned out to be a false handle, and the entire bookshelf swung open. Behind it was seventy years’ worth of paintings, drawings, and sculptures that had never seen the light of day.

I hope my mouth didn’t literally drop to the floor, but I think it probably did.

My name is Bob Chase, and I started The Art of Dr. Seuss Collection about twenty-five years ago. That collection has since evolved into the one you’re all familiar with today.

Ongoing Discovery at the Geisel Library

An archive of over 20,000 artifacts belonging to Ted Geisel, is housed at the Geisel Library at the University of California San Diego. It is the ongoing commitment of the Art of Dr. Seuss Collection to always discover the undiscovered, to reveal the hidden.

We have spent over 25 years exploring the archive, one artifact at a time, an ongoing discovery that continues to reveal the mastery of this American icon.