Sold: W. W. Denslow Art Montgomery Ward 1898 Almanac Year Book Catalog, Original

$75.00

Out of stock

Description

Here is an unusual Denslow item: the Montgomery Ward & Co. 1898 Almanac and Yearbook. Has been reprinted in B&W in 1947 by Floyd Clymer, but this is the original color-cover version. This booklet has cover art by Wizard of Oz artist W W Denslow (signed with seahorse), and also copious interior art by Denslow. For example, the scene of a famer coming home with his team has classic Denslow elements of a moon in the background and a repeating pattern of corn in the foreground. It is signed with his trademark seahorse near the lower left corner.

In addition to the cover design, there are at least nine line drawings inside that are signed either “Den” or with the seahorse. There are about as many additional drawings that look to be an identical style, but are unsigned (possibly the signature was cropped out at the margins?). Finally, there is an elaborate filigree design with characters at the top of each month that may also have been drawn by Denslow–some of the children look a little like his Dorothy, but I am not sure. Regardless, a treasure trove of Denslow art!

Condition is fair only, with some paper loss and chipping to spine, cover with edge soiling, chipping and small tears. The interior is complete and in quite good condition with age toning and binding still intact. A nice item for the serious Denslow collector or historian.