Description
I’m excited to be able to offer one of these incredible Oz books with its original dust jacket! This is the rare British motion picture edition of the Wizard of Oz, timed with the MGM movie release in Great Britain. “The Wizard of Oz–The Original Story on Which the Film is Based” by L. Frank Baum. Contains eight beautiful inserted color stills and publicity photos from the movie, unlike the MUCH more common American movie edition that only contains the traditional Denslow illustrations. To top it off, this copy comes with the beautiful full color dust jacket with wrap around image of Dorothy and her friends!
This is the London Hutchinson & Co edition, shown as plate 18 in Bibliographia Oziana and what Bienvenue calls “Binding A” in The Book Collector’s Guide to Baum. With a wrap-around illustration depicting Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, and Bert Lahr on the front and spine of the book & jacket. The book itself is undated, and thought to be circa 1940, and this one has a 1940 gift inscription. There are several full-page (and some smaller) black and white Denslow illustrations in addition to the 8 colored photographic plates.
The condition of the book is very good plus. Since this book has paper and not cloth covered boards, it’s hard to find in really good condition, but here it is. The book cover is very nice with bright colors and characters, though there is a wrinkleor closed tear across the Scarecrow and Dorothy, and light wear to edges of the boards. The spine, usually beat up, is beautiful condition with just a little wear at the base.
Inside, there is a 1940 “From Uncle Jack” gift inscription, very sweet. Some light browning to the endpapers, including the very last text page. The hinges are intact and the pages are clean. All 8 color plates are attached and in really nice condition.
The dust jacket, which adds most of the value to the book, is in near very good condition. Still with bright colors (better than glare-y photos look), both flaps well attached with price seal at base, small chip at base of rear cover, and a little bit of edge chipping and small tears. Presents beautifully and a very collectible book!
