Description
Here is a 1st edition, 1st printing of the Royal Book of Oz, published in 1921 by Reilly & Lee–inscribed by author Ruth Plumly Thompson herself! One the title page Ruth writes: “With merry wishes from Oz, Ruth Plumly Thompson July 1962”. This 1st printing has 12 color plates by John R. Neill, with the plate opposite page 255 having a misprint–“SCARECORW’S” in the caption (see The Book Collector’s Guide to Baum). Gray cloth with pictorial endpapers. The first Oz book written by Ruth Plumly Thompson, although originally credited on the cover to L. Frank Baum!
Condition is fair to good only, primarily due to the interior–substantial finger soiling to first third or so of the pages, as well as hand coloring of most illustrations up to about page 85 and part of rear endpaper. The hinges are also partially cracked and the Contents page has a hole in center, and there are a few marginal page tears. All 12 plates are present and in goo condition. The ownership page has a 1926 inscription. The exterior is better, with a little loss to corner of pastedown and light staining to base of spine and rear cover, but still presents well. I have not seen many Oz books inscribed by Thompson, except occasionally her later ones such as Yankee in Oz, and Royal Book is a hard-to-find 1st printing.
