L Frank Baum / WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ First Edition First State B Variant 1900

Description: THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ; First Edition, First State, "B" Variant Author: Baum, L. Frank (Illustrated by W.W. Denslow) Title: THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ; First Edition, First State, "B" Variant Publication: Chicago, IL: Geo. M. Hill Co., 1900 Edition: First Edition Description: W.W. Denslow. Hardcover. First Edition, First State, Binding "B" (Publisher's spine imprinted in red (not green), non-serifed capital lettters"). All first state points of issue present. As is so often seen, the light-green surface of the boards are heavily mottled, darkening the entire book. Rubbing to extremities. Rear joint reinforced and perhaps "backfilled" some, by conservator, but remains fairly tender. Lacks headbands. Inside,both hinges guarded with kitikata paper, a semi-translucent paper manufactured from Japanese gampi shrubs, often used in restoration and bookbinding because of its strength. Previous owner's gift inscription to front free endpaper ("S.W. Riddle June 6, 1901. from Mr. R.J. Riddle"). A number of pages show some degree of smudging -- why, it's almost as if CHILDREN had handled this book -- and repeatedly at that!! Some signatures (sewn gatherings) have been reinforced on this 125-year old book, and some remained loose with stitching visible through a narrow crack when book is opened (gently, of course, always!).20 of 24 illustrations present.. Missing (but not necessarily removed or lost by owners (See IMPORTANT NOTE in the Comments section, below):these four illustrations were Intended to appear opposite pp. 160, 170, 184 and 198).*261 pp. LOADED with illustrations. A well-worn and still very presentable (and affordable!) copy of one of the earliest copies of what bibliographer Michael O. Riley wrote: "... the most beloved American fantasy because it embodies many of the hopes, dreams, and fears inherent in the American character...""...In addition to the story's extraordinary status as an American myth, the first edition of the book itself is of exceptional importance to the history of American children's book design and publishing. Nothing like it had been seen before: its innovative design literally changed the look of books for children. And more than one hundred and twenty years after its publication...is still an influence on children's book design... But it is a sad truth that books children truly love and read repeatedly are among the most difficult books to find in collectable condition. These are books that are often literally loved to death, or at least into decrepitude and trade books tend not to be constructed to withstand such devotion...The Holy Grail for a collector would be one of the earliest assembled copies in pristine condition in a complete dust jacket. No such copy has been found, and it may not exist..." Good Only. IMPORTANT NOTE (and more than most people might want to know or read about how the color pictures were actually placed in this book!): Michael O. Riley's new (2023) book, entitled and entirely devoted to: "The First Edition of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: A New Bibliographic Description" describes that the production of this particular book "combined three separately produced elements: the text with its two-color illustrations, the tipped-in color plates, and the binding cases. Of these, the binding cases (covers) were the only component made in-house... Riley then goes on to explain that due to the equipment -- The Sheridan flat stock cutters, "this method would result in twenty-four separate piles of the twenty-four different plates...It was therefore unlikely that any one copy of the book ended up with all its plates originating from the same printed sheet. And when new printings of the plates came into the bindery and were cut up and added to these piles, plates from recent and not-so-recent printings ended up, willy-nilly, in the same volume...the text sheets were folded into sections (also referred to as 'gatherings' by machine, then the twenty-foiur color plates would be attached ('tipped') to their correct positions within the individual gatherings. This process was done by hand; labor was cheap, especially for reptitive, unskilled work such as this..." The author continues by discussing how some of the plates needed to "be tipped in with the glue on the front side, i.e., attached to the facing text page instead of the page following...This seemingly trivial detail had important practical consequences. (cataloguer's capitalized emphasis follows): 'IT IS NO ACCIDENT THAT THE PLATES TIPPED IN ON THE FRONT EDGE ARE THE ONES MOST LIKELY TO BE MISSING IN ANY GIVEN COPY...A plate tipped to the back page it faces has to be bent back both to read the text and to enjoy the picture. Just the act of holding the page open puts extra pressure on the thin line of paste holding the plate to the page. Seller ID: 87001 Aardvark Rare Books Eugene, OR We work hard to make your Bookbuying Experience safe, easy and fun. Aardvark Books is a proud member of the ABAA (Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America) and IOBA, Independent Online Booksellers Association. Ezra is also an accredited and Qualified Appraiser of Books and Manuscripts, with a designation from the ASA (American Society of Appraisers), with considerable Archive experience as well. Shipping All books shipped to US destinations are sent via the US Postal Service. Faster shipping is available, please ask before paying. We will combine shipping on items purchased at the same time in order to help reduce costs. International shipping is also available. Please inquire for a shipping quote before ordering.This listing was created by Bibliopolis.

Price: 3600 USD

Location: Eugene, Oregon

End Time: 2024-10-06T19:29:24.000Z

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