Description
Offered here is an early edition of The Wizard of Oz book by L. Frank Baum the 2nd edition, 2nd printing, from the collection of Oz Club great Fred Meyer. 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 the 2nd printing of the 2nd edition, according to the Book Collector’s Guide to Baum. Based on the 1904 inscription on front endpaper, published shortly after the first printing in 1903 but well before the third printing in 1916. The book’s pages also retain much of Denslow’s single-color line art, which actually is nicer than the olor plates imo. Much of this elaborate artwork was removed in later editions.
Condition is near very good, with some wear to spine ends and cloth edges, with the cover graphics are in nice shape. Small spot on rear cover. Inside, Denslow’s eyepopping poppy endpapers are pretty nice with a corner fold to front and a neat repair to rear hinge. First text gathering is somewhat loose, with a crack (and some staining) between p 32-33; it will hold if you are gentle with it. 1904 Christmas inscription on one of the front endpapers, and there is also a small stain at top margin on pages up to about p. 15 (not affecting text). All 16 color plates (including title page) are present and in overall very good condition except one is detached with some tearing to inner edge. The pages are generally clean with occasional finger soiling. Overall a decent copy of a hard to find early edition, published during Baum’s lifetime. Will come with a statement of provenance that it’s originallly from Fred’s collection.
