THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ; First Edition, First State, "B" Variant

Baum, L. Frank (Illustrated by W.W. Denslow)

Published by Geo. M. Hill Co, Chicago, IL, 1900

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." 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. Seller Inventory # 87001

Bibliographic Details

Title: THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ; First Edition, ...
Publisher: Geo. M. Hill Co, Chicago, IL
Publication Date: 1900
Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: W.W. Denslow
Condition: Good Only
Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included
Edition: First Edition.