Description
Offered here is a beautiful early edition of The Wizard of Oz book by L. Frank Baum: the 2nd edition, 2nd printing. This edition published by Bobbs-Merrill and contains 16 color plates by W. W. Denslow. With unserifed “THE” at top of spine, identifying this as Binding B of this edition, according to the Book Collector’s Guide to Baum. Published sometime between the first printing in 1903 and the third printing in 1916. This book also retains much of Denslow’s internal line art, which actually is nicer than the plates, imo. Much of this art was removed in later editions.
Condition is near fine outside, with clean cloth, an unfaded spine, and tight binding. Denslow’s eyepopping poppy endpapers are clean and intact, with original bookseller’s seal. The ownership page is blank, and pages are clean and bright except for two pages with ~1″margin tears. All 16 color plates (including title page) are present and in excellent condition. Overall a wonderful, collectible copy of a quite hard to find early edition, published during Baum’s lifetime.
