The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum (16 results)

Condition: Very good plus. First edition of the book that gave Americans their own fairy tale, with all the textual points of the first state and a mixed state B/C of the plates. Although it was only one of four books Baum published in 1900, THE WIZARD OF OZ was his most ambitious as a publication: he and illustrator W.W. Denslow envisioned an elaborate production of color-printed plates to reflect the role that color plays in the story. The expense turned publishers away until Baum and Denslow took the gamble to pay for the printing costs themselves. Their instinct was right: the book quickly became the fastest selling children's book in the United States, and was soon turned into a sensation at the theater. Denslow and Baum would soon part acrimoniously over the share of the profits (Denslow purchased, no joke, an island from his); the rest of the Oz books in Baum's lifetime were illustrated by John R. Neill. Baum has a complicated legacy: he was also a newspaperman whose opinions on Native American rights were especially pernicious. The Oz books offered a dream world for the children of Manifest Destiny, emigrating across the West. Yet over the years Dorothy's journey with her motley friends has proven fertile soil for a variety of new interpretations, including THE WIZ (1978) and WICKED (1995), demonstrating its power as a modern mythos. The original story may surprise readers, with silver shoes instead of ruby slippers, and an Emerald City that is green only because the visitors must wear colored goggles. The book's bibliography is notoriously complicated, with more than a dozen different points, and the appearance of mixed states common. This copy contains two corrected plates, but the text entirely matches the first state. It comes from the library of Roland Baughman, a noted Baum collector, scholar, and head of Special Collections at Columbia University from 1946 until his death in 1967. His Baum collection was exhibited in 1956 at Columbia and he co-edited the accompanying exhibition catalogue with Joan Baum. This is a wonderful copy of an iconic children's book. 8.25'' x 6''. Original full green cloth stamped in red and green, "Geo. M. Hill Co." stamped in red serif typeface on spine, "o" within the "C" (state C per Riley). Illustrated pastedowns in black and grey (front) and black and red (rear). 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. Color plates corrected on page 34 & 92, but copyright notice with R extending below baseline (Riley B/C). 216, [1] pages. Signature of Roland Bauman on final leaf. Housed in a custom quarter morocco clamshell box. Cloth quite fresh, with faint sunning to spine. Hinges skillfully repaired. Short closed tear to one plate, else text block clean and bright.

Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. First Edition, First Printing with ALL 24 color plates including the rare color plate between page 14 and 15. The book is bound in the publisher's original cloth with some light wear to the spine. The binding is tight with NO leaning or cocking with minor wear to the edges. The pages are clean with NO writing, marks or bookplates in the book. A beautiful copy with an acetate cover to protect the book.

Cloth. Condition: Very Good. W.W. Denslow (illustrator). First Edition. Original light green cloth pictorially stamped and lettered in red and a darker green, pictorial pastedown endpapers (issued without free endpapers), housed in custom archival light green cloth clamshell box with dark green morocco title label. Tall octavo (8 3/4 x 7 inches. Size of leaf: 8 3/8 x 6 3/8 inches. Thickness of volume: 1 3/16 inches). 259, [1, blank], [1], [1, blank] pages; illustrated with twenty-four inserted color plates (including title) by Denslow. FIRST EDITION/FIRST STATE. Contains ALL first state textual points: Page [2], the publisher's advertisement is enclosed in a box; page 14, line 1 has "low wail on."; page 81, fourth line from bottom has "peices"; page [227], line 1 begins: "While Tin Woodman."; the colophon at the end of book is set in eleven lines and is enclosed in a box. Pictorial endpapers; the front paste-down is in black and gray, the back paste-down is black and red. The pages facing paste-downs are blank. With perfect type last line of pages 100 and 186. Color plates: 24 full-color, tipped-in inserts: title page and facing pages 12 (a rare variant identified by Blanck, most copies has this plate facing page 14), 20, 34, 36, 44, 56, 66, 80, 92, 102, 114, 126, [138], 150, 160, 170, 184, 198, 212, 220, 228, 246, 254. The verso of the illustrated title page is blank. The color plate facing page 34 has two dark-blue spots on the moon, however, the plate facing page 92 lacks red shading on the horizon. The book is collated complete. Cover: light-green cloth, stamped in read and green on the front, back and spine with variant "B" publisher's imprint at foot of spine (stamped in red "GEO.M.HILL CO." An expertly and sympathetically restored copy of the most famous and collectable American children's book of the 20th century. Extremities and outer hinges with a bit of rubbing and chipping. Boards with some light soiling and a light red stain to front board, expert restoration to hinges and gutters Size: Octavo.

Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. First Edition, First Printing with ALL 24 color plates including the rare color plate between page 14 and 15. The book has these First Issue points "the red serified spine imprint" (Hanff & Greene binding variant C); p. [2] the publisher's ads enclosed in a box; title verso with copyright notice; the earliest state of the plate facing p. 34 with the two dark blue dots in the face of the moon and the plate facing p. 92 with with the red shading on the horizon. The book is bound in the publisher's cloth with some repair to the spine. The binding is tight with NO cocking or leaning and the boards are crisp with minor wear to the edges. The pages are clean with NO marks or bookplates in the book. A lovely copy.

With pictures by W.W. Denslow. Chicago: Geo. M. Hill Co., [1900]. First edition, second state. With the following points: on p. [2], the publisher's advertisement has no box; on p. 14, line one begins "low wail of."; p. 81, fourth line from bottom has "pieces"; p. [227], line 1 begins: "While The Woodman."; and the colophon is reset in thirteen lines with no box; with broken type in the last line of p. 100 and p. 186. The verso of the title-page has a press-printed copyright notice, with the "R"'s having tails that are on a line with the rest of the printing. Second state of plate facing p. 34 without the two dark-blue blots on the moon and the second state of plate facing p. 92 without the pink shading at the horizon. Quarto (8 5/16 x 6 3/8 inches; 211 x 165 mm). 259, [1, blank], [1], [1, blank] pp. Twenty-four inserted color plates (including title). Original light green cloth pictorially stamped and lettered in red and a darker green (variant C with publisher's imprint at foot of spine in red in serifed type, with the "C" of "Co." encircling the "o"). Pictorial pastedown endpapers (issued without free endpapers). Cloth is lightly soiled and spine is a bit darkened, but without any restoration. Text with a small amount of soiling and finger smudging to outer margins. Some pages lightly toned. Plate facing page 44 with three tiny spots where the paper stuck to the facing page. Plate facing page 80 with a small closed marginal tear, not affecting illustration. Previous owner's old ink signature on preliminary leaf. Closed tear to front hinge which has been professionally restored. Overall, a very good copy of a book usually found in poor condition. Housed in a custom full green morocco clamshell. HBS 65777. $12,500.

Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. First Edition, First Printing. The book has these First Issue points "the red serified spine imprint" (Hanff & Greene binding variant C); p. [2] the publisher's ads enclosed in a box; title verso with copyright notice; the earliest state of the plate facing p. 34 with the two dark blue dots in the face of the moon and the plate facing p. 92 with the red shading on the horizon and ALL 24 color plates including the rare color plate of Dorothy after page 14. The book is bound in the publisher's cloth with professional restoration to the spine.The binding is tight with NO cocking or leaning and the boards are crisp with minor wear to the edges. The pages are clean with NO marks or bookplates in the book. A wonderful copy housed in a custom clamshell box for preservation.

First Edition. THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ, G.M. Hill, 1900, first edition (3rd issue binding with plain unserified type in red lettering as opposed to green and with the "o" imbedded within the C for company), some light soiling to the covers, binding recased, small nick to the fore edge of the front cover, else a tight vg copy in the publishers original pictorial binding with points in the second state (that is corrected text) and all 24 full color plates present. Still a quite nice copy actually.

Condition: very good. first. First edition. The text, plates and binding are not in the first sate but the title page is a first state, having the verso blank and no copyright notice. Typos are also corrected. Fraying to the spine ends, inscription on the blank back of the final leaf, a few short tears to blank margins, one plate has the tiny edge tears strengthened, inner paper hinges also strengthened but all expertly done. Housed in a fold-out inner case, in a slipcase.

Hardcover. Condition: Very good. First Edition. Square large octavo, 259pp., illustrated with 24 plates, including the title page (complete as issued). Second state, conforming to all issue points on p. 27 in Hanff's bibliography (details upon request). A very good copy in the publisher's decorative cloth. Recased and strengthened in its original binding, retaining the original endpapers. Mild, even soiling to cloth, front board with a vertical crease throughout, some very light archival tissue repairs to some minor tears in some plates, most notably on the last leaf. One of the most innovative illustrated children's books of all-time, with an extremely dynamic design that suits the power of the story, which was adapted into one of the great films of the 20th century. Most copies available have endured a certain amount of abuse, and varying degrees of restoration. In this case, the work was done by one of the world's leading professionals, using entirely archival-grade material, and with as little invasiveness as possible. A sound, sturdy, and pleasing copy of this all-time masterwork of children's literature.

hardcover. Condition: Very good. First. A first edition, recessed with original cloth laid on, 1st edition, 1st state, with all first state text and illustrations. Housed in a slipcase.

Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. First Edition, First Printing. The book is bound in the publisher's ORIGINAL cloth with light wear to the spine and panels with some repair. The pages are clean with NO writing, or bookplates in the book. The book has all these First Issue points, on page 2, " box around the publishers advertisement" on page 14 the First line reads "low wail of", on page 81 the fourth line from bottom spells "peices" incorrectly, on pages 100, 186 the type is NOT broken" on last lines, on pages 34 the dots are on the moon, on Page 227 the First line reads "While Tin Woodman", the last page is pasted to back boards and has 11 lines with a box, the title page has the year 1900, and the copyright is 1899. The binding of the book is tight with NO cocking or leaning. The pages have light wear and discoloration. There is NO writing, marks or bookplates in the book. A lovely copy with ALL 24 color plates present in the book. We buy Frank L. Baum First Editions.

Hardcover. Condition: Poor. 1st Edition. BAUM, L. Frank. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. With Pictures by W.W. Denslow.[Chicago / New York : Geo. M. Hill Co., 1900]. First State of the First Edition. Pp [3]-[261,(1),+ 15 (of 24) full-page colour plates. Text Illustrations. 8vo, illustrated pale green cloth, stamped in red and green. First state points : page 14 line 1 begins "low wail on"; on plate opposite page 34the moon has two dots; page 81 fourth line from bottom has "peices"; page 227 line 1 begins "While Tin Woodman"; colophon on rear pastedown in 11 lines with the initial letter in red and enclosed in a box; in B binding with publisher printed in red and with the O outside the C at foot of spine; however, lacking plate opp. p. 92 (and thus first state point cannot be verified red shading on horizon) and lacking first leaf (and thus first state point cannot be verified box around ads on page 2). The 15 of 24 plates present (and condition) are : opp. p. 14 "She caught Toto by the ear." (detached, edge chipped and short tear not affecting plate); opp. p. 20 "I am theWitch of the North." (very good); opp. p. 34 "You must be a great sorceress." (very good); opp. p. 36 "Dorothy gazed thoughtfully at the Scarecrow." (very good); opp. p. 66 "You ought to be ashamed of yourself!" (very good);opp. p. 102 "Permit me to introduce to you her Majesty, the Queen." (smudgeaffecting plate); opp. p. 112 "The Lion ate some of the porridge." (tear along gutter not affecting plate); opp. p. 126 "The Eyes looked at her thoughtfully." (small smudge not affecting plate); opp. p. 138 "The Soldier withthe green whiskers led them through the streets." (tears along gutter notaffecting plate); opp. p. 150 "The Monkeys wound many coils about his body." (tears along gutter not affecting plate); opp. p. 160 "The Tinsmiths worked for three days and four nights." (detached); opp. p. 170 "The Monkeys caught Dorothy in their arms and flew away with her." (detached, tear to fore-edge affecting plate); opp. p. 212 "The Scarecrow sat on the big throne."(tears along gutter not affecting plate); opp. p. 246 "The Head shot forward and struck the Scarecrow." (vertical crease); opp. p. 254 "You must giveme the Golden Cap." (tears along gutter not affecting plate). Lacking 9 ofthe 24 colour plates, text block detached from casing, hinges broken, spinecloth torn and spine ends chipped, heavy wear and smudging to cloth, lacking first leaf and bottom 2.5 inches of title page (and thus cannot verify publisher's information), brown stain to bottom margin of pp. 96-103, tearsand chipping along fore-edge of pp 113-114, tear along bottom edge of pp 251-252, numerous leaves loose, a poor, defective copy with complete text. The foundation for a restoration. As is. Net price. 4,500.00.

Hardcover. Condition: Good Only. W.W. Denslow (illustrator). First Edition. First Edition, First State, Binding "B" (Publisher's spine imprinted in red (not green), non-serifed capital lettters"). All first state points of issue present. As is so often seen, the light-green surface of the boards are heavily mottled, darkening the entire book. Rubbing to extremities. Rear joint reinforced and perhaps "backfilled" some, by conservator, but remains fairly tender. Lacks headbands. Inside,both hinges guarded with kitikata paper, a semi-translucent paper manufactured from Japanese gampi shrubs, often used in restoration and bookbinding because of its strength. Previous owner's gift inscription to front free endpaper ("S.W. Riddle June 6, 1901. from Mr. R.J. Riddle"). A number of pages show some degree of smudging -- why, it's almost as if CHILDREN had handled this book -- and repeatedly at that!! Some signatures (sewn gatherings) have been reinforced on this 125-year old book, and some remained loose with stitching visible through a narrow crack when book is opened (gently, of course, always!). 20 of 24 illustrations present. Missing (but not necessarily removed or lost by owners (See IMPORTANT NOTE in the Comments section, below):these four illustrations were Intended to appear opposite pp. 160, 170, 184 and 198).* 261 pp. LOADED with illustrations. A well-worn and still very presentable (and affordable!) copy of one of the earliest copies of what bibliographer Michael O. Riley wrote: ". the most beloved American fantasy because it embodies many of the hopes, dreams, and fears inherent in the American character." ".In addition to the story's extraordinary status as an American myth, the first edition of the book itself is of exceptional importance to the history of American children's book design and publishing. Nothing like it had been seen before: its innovative design literally changed the look of books for children. And more than one hundred and twenty years after its publication.is still an influence on children's book design. But it is a sad truth that books children truly love and read repeatedly are among the most difficult books to find in collectable condition. These are books that are often literally loved to death, or at least into decrepitude and trade books tend not to be constructed to withstand such devotion.The Holy Grail for a collector would be one of the earliest assembled copies in pristine condition in a complete dust jacket. No such copy has been found, and it may not exist." IMPORTANT NOTE (and more than most people might want to know or read about how the color pictures were actually placed in this book!): Michael O. Riley's new (2023) book, entitled and entirely devoted to: "The First Edition of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: A New Bibliographic Description" describes that the production of this particular book "combined three separately produced elements: the text with its two-color illustrations, the tipped-in color plates, and the binding cases. Of these, the binding cases (covers) were the only component made in-house. Riley then goes on to explain that due to the equipment -- The Sheridan flat stock cutters, "this method would result in twenty-four separate piles of the twenty-four different plates.It was therefore unlikely that any one copy of the book ended up with all its plates originating from the same printed sheet. And when new printings of the plates came into the bindery and were cut up and added to these piles, plates from recent and not-so-recent printings ended up, willy-nilly, in the same volume.the text sheets were folded into sections (also referred to as 'gatherings' by machine, then the twenty-foiur color plates would be attached ('tipped') to their correct positions within the individual gatherings. This process was done by hand; labor was cheap, especially for reptitive, unskilled work such as this." The author continues by discussing how some of the plates needed to "be tipped in with the glue on the front side, i.e., attached to the facing text page instead of the page following.This seemingly trivial detail had important practical consequences. (cataloguer's capitalized emphasis follows): 'IT IS NO ACCIDENT THAT THE PLATES TIPPED IN ON THE FRONT EDGE ARE THE ONES MOST LIKELY TO BE MISSING IN ANY GIVEN COPY.A plate tipped to the back page it faces has to be bent back both to read the text and to enjoy the picture. Just the act of holding the page open puts extra pressure on the thin line of paste holding the plate to the page.

Hardcover. Condition: Acceptable. First Edition. First edition, second state (1900) as indicated by Geo. M. Hill publisher, no box around the ads on page 2, imperfect type on p. 100 and 186. Scarce. Tanning/dust wear to boards. A couple pencil marks on boards. Splitting at hinges, but binding is intact. Bumping at corners. Occasional fingerprints at page edges, a couple pages have a few pencil scribbles, mostly in front half of book, or a big âVâ in pencil across the page. 22 out of 24 plates present. Missing 2 and 9. Stamp on copyright and introduction page. A couple pencil marks on the following color plates: âI am the witch of the Northâ, âYou must be a great sorceressâ, âYou ought to be ashamed of yourself!â, âThe stork carried him up into the airâ, âPermit me to introduce to you her Majesty, the Queenâ (this one has quite a few scribbles), âYou must give me the Golden Capâ, otherwise plates clean and vibrant. Closed tear on illustration titled âDorothy gazed thoughtfully at the Scarecrowâ. Binding shaken.

Paperback. Condition: Brand New. 82 pages. 9.00x6.00x0.19 inches. This item is printed on demand.

Condition: New. Special order direct from the distributor.