The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Baum, L. Frank; W.W. Denslow [Illustrator] - 1900

Chicago: Geo. M. Hill Co, 1900. First Edition. Near Fine. First edition, first state of plates and text. (Bienvenue pp. 4-5.) Bound in publisher's full green cloth, boards and spine decoratively stamped in green and red; "B" binding with publisher's name in red at foot, full "O" in as last letter. This is the first binding state for trade edition copies (an earlier state was for pre-publication copies only). 261, [1, blank] pages. Illustrated, with twenty-four plates (including title-page) inserted throughout. A Near Fine copy with slightly darkened spine and mottled cloth, very subtle repairs to cloth at corners and spine ends, edges a little rubbed, inner hinges and a few gutters starting, contemporary gift inscription on front free endpaper, mild toning and occasional thumbing to contents else unusually clean. Housed in a custom clamshell case.

The rare, sought-after first edition of the classic children's book that inspired a long-running series and beloved 1939 film.