Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Chicago: Geo. M. Hill Co, 1900. With pictures by W.W. Denslow. Chicago: Geo. M. Hill Co., [1900].

First edition, second state. With the following points: on p. [2], the publisher's advertisement has no box; on p. 14, line one begins "low wail of..."; p. 81, fourth line from bottom has "pieces"; p. [227], line 1 begins: "While The Woodman..."; and the colophon is reset in thirteen lines with no box; with broken type in the last line of p. 100 and p. 186. The verso of the title-page has a press-printed copyright notice, with the "R"'s having tails that are on a line with the rest of the printing. Second state of plate facing p. 34 without the two dark-blue blots on the moon and the second state of plate facing p. 92 without the pink shading at the horizon. Quarto (8 5/16 x 6 3/8 inches; 211 x 165 mm). 259, [1, blank], [1], [1, blank] pp. Twenty-four inserted color plates (including title).

Original light green cloth pictorially stamped and lettered in red and a darker green (variant C with publisher's imprint at foot of spine in red in serifed type, with the "C" of "Co." encircling the "o"). Pictorial pastedown endpapers (issued without free endpapers). Cloth is lightly soiled and spine is a bit darkened, but without any restoration. Text with a small amount of soiling and finger smudging to outer margins. Some pages lightly toned. Plate facing page 44 with three tiny spots where the paper stuck to the facing page. Plate facing page 80 with a small closed marginal tear, not affecting illustration. Previous owner's old ink signature on preliminary leaf. Closed tear to front hinge which has been professionally restored. Overall, a very good copy of a book usually found in poor condition. Housed in a custom full green morocco clamshell.

HBS 65777.

$12,500.