BAUM, L. Frank. Illustrated by W.W. Denslow.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

"A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others": First Edition, first printing of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

New York: Geo. M. Hill Co., 1900.

$12,000.00

Out of Stock Item Number: RRB-149689

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First edition, first printing, second state (State B) of “the first truly enduring American fantasy” (Connolly, 38). Octavo, original pictorial light green cloth stamped in red and green, publisher’s imprint to the spine "Geo. M. Hill Co." stamped in sans-serif type, illustrated by W.W. Denslow with 24 color plates, illustrations in text, and on paste-downs (issued without endpapers). Box around publisher ads, first line on page 14 reads "low wail on" (1st state), p.81 fourth line from bottom spells "peices" incorrectly, p.[227] 1st line reads "While Tin Woodman," colophon in 11 lines with box, and all other State A points per Riley; perfect type on pages 100, 186. Uncorrected (first-state) color plates on page 34 & 92. In very good condition, cracking to the interior hinges as usual, small losses to the front and rear endpapers, ownership inscriptions to the front free endpaper.

Frank L. Baum worked in many trades before he wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, including publisher, poultry breeder, door-to-door salesman and newspaper editor. "Among the five Baum titles published in 1900, preeminent even then was The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The New York Times found it 'bright and joyous' and omnisciently offered, 'It will indeed be strange if there be a normal child who will not enjoy the story.' The first edition was a picturesque novelty with its 24 color plates and many line drawings; Denslow's conceptions of the characters and landscapes contributed immeasurably to the book's popularity" (Fricke, 22). Baum "set out to change children's books and made a lasting contribution to American literature The Wizard of Oz has entered American folklore. It reflected and has altered the American character" (Hearn, xiii). "Those who read the Oz books are often made what they were not—imaginative, tolerant, alert to wonders, life" (Gore Vidal).