Description
Here is a complete set of 8 early trade cards illustrated by Wizard of Oz book illustrator W W Denslow, picturing characters from the comic stageplay Falka. Very early and charming examples of Denslow’s work with his “W*D” signature marked lightly in red. Falka (McCaul Opera Co) played in Philadelphia in 1884, which coincides with the time that Denslow was working in that city. Four of the cards are blank on the back, while 4 actually advertise Peerless Coffee, a variant I have not seen in other cards I’ve had before from this set.
These are original cards, 140 years old now! This gig by Denslow is mentioned in the Bibliography on W W Denslow published in the Autumn 1992 Baum Bugle, and discussed in the Spring 2015 Baum Bugle.
These cards are hard to find, particularly a complete set of 8. Cards are mostly in very good condition–with light wear and old glue staining on the back of some. Please check out the “Oz Illustrators” section in my Ebay store for other unusual Denslow items.
Photos and description by Wonderful Books of Oz, copyright protected through the DMCA act of 1998.
