The Cowardly Lion of Oz

The 17th book in the Delightful Stories of the Wonderful Land of Oz & the 3rd book in the series written by Ruth Plumly Thompson (the 2nd "Royal Historian of Oz"), carrying on the tradition of the original 14 stories by L. Frank Baum, with the original illustrations of artist John R. Neill (who would become the 3rd Royal Historian) throughout the book's 291 pages of text, as well as the endpapers & front pastedown. Orig. published in 1923, this is a later printing of that First Edition (post-1935 per DJ design & other points), with NO color plates. Hardcover 8vo has bright orange cloth-covered boards with a brilliantly colored paper pastedown to front cover & black lettering & design to spine (fancy publisher script, not plain, but plain on DJ). Condition is Near Fine, as the book has been protected in its DJ all these years: exceptionally clean & bright, binding strong & straight, hinges secure, pages modestly tanned around edges. Sticker from the old Marston's bookstore in San Diego to ffep, else completely unmarked. "This Book Belongs To." box in front matter is blank. Very mild dust dulling to outside page edges & a random smudge here & there in text. Front pastedown is virtually flawless save for a tiny scratch to bottom edge & a bit of dark soil to top edge. The unclipped DJ (with orig. $1.75 price intact to front flap) is just Good: colorful & bright, but with a long tear (closed on reverse) descending between the w" & "a" in "Cowardly" in title all the way down through the lion's face & across"Baum" to outer edge; other small chips, light creases, & short, unclosed tears, as well, but it's all there & scarce in any condition. Nicely protected in new clear mylar cover Free! Our photos depict the Exact book you will receive, never "stock" images of books we don't actually have! Same Day Shipping on all orders received by 2 pm Weekdays (Pacific time); later orders, weekends & holidays ship very next business day.…