Description
Here is a nice copy of first edition, second printing of The Marvelous Land of Oz book by L Frank Baum (sequel to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz). This printing in red Binding B, still with the full “Marvelous Land of Oz” title on the cover, which was later changed to just “The Land of Oz”. Published by Reilly & Britton, with a hand lettered title page and “Published July, 1904″ below the copyright notice on back of title page. (Points from The Book Collector’s Guide to L Frank Baum by Bienvenue and Schmidt). With Jack Pumpkinhead on rear cover and illustrated endpapers featuring the Montgomery and Stone as Tin Woodman and Scarecrow from the 1902 stageplay. Contains all 16 color plates by John R Neill. The Marvelous Land of Oz is also notable in that it portrays a sex-transformation–the boy Tip, originally under the thumb of the evil witch Mombi, becomes Princess Ozma, the benevolent ruler of Oz itself and Dorothy’s bestie.
This is a very good copy overall. The cover is quite clean, with all the silver embellishment intact, and just a small scuff on the upper corner. The rear cover has light soiling, and the spine has light discoloration at the head and some fraying starting at the tail. The spine imprint is still clear. Inside, there is a former owner’s name on the fixed front endpaper; the front hinge is intact and the rear is cracked with what appears to be a partial old glue repair. Pencil bookseller’s notation on rear endpaper. The 16 color plates are all in their correct positions and in very good condition, although a few seem to have neatly reinserted. The text pages have light finger soiling but are generally very clean, save for a 1” closed tear on title page near gutter. See the many photos. Overall a nice, collectible copy of this very desirable early Baum title.