Description
Here is an unusual book for you collectors of L. Frank Baum. “The Art of Decorating Show Windows and Interiors”, the 3rd edition published in 1906 by The Merchants Records Company. It’s pretty amazing the breadth Baum had, writing technical information about raising chickens and decorating show windows while also writing children’s books. This lavish 404-page book contains black and white photographs on almost every page. For more information on Baum’s many contributions to this book based on his contributions to The Show Window magazine, see The Book Collector’s Guide to Baum, p. 175-178. There even is an elaborate window display featuring Father Goose, with Denslow art, pictured on page 338! Large format, 8″ by 11″. First and second editions of this book are very scarce, and the more available 5th edition retained much less of Baum’s work.
This unusual book is in good plus condition with gilt lettering on cover and spine nice, fraying at base of spine, corner and edge wear. Inside, endpapers are cracked and appear to have been repaired in the past, though everything is still holding together with the covers. Bishop Museum and Historical Society bookplate on endpaper (deaccessioned and no other institutional markings). Pages are clean and in nice condition overall. A hard to find collectible for serious Baum collectors.
