Martin Provensen, Tony the Tiger and Nancy Willard

 Martin Provensen - Tony the Tiger and Nancy Willard

Martin Provensen was a well known illustrator along with his wife Alice.  He developed the "Tony the Tiger" image for Kelloggs, and wrote and illustrated numerous children's books.  In 1982 he was a runner up for the Caldecott Medal for his work on "William Blakes Inn" for which Nancy Willard won the Newberry Prize.

Information on Martin can be found at:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_and_Martin_Provensen

Provensen and his wife lived in Dutchess County NY, as did Nancy Willard, husband Eric Lindbloom and son James.

Some interesting correspondence between Nancy and Martin follows.  This  sketch of Tony - writing a note was done on a piece of newsprint.