A pair of copper and zinc printing plates for the original endpapers to Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz

Neill, John R.

Published by Reilly & Britton, [Chicago, 1908

About this Item

14 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches. A matched pair of copper and zinc plates used to create the endpapers for Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz (1908), the fourth book in L. Frank Baum's beloved Oz series. The design by John R. Neill who began illustrating the books after Baum fell out with the series' original artist, Wallace Denislow features Dorothy, Scarecrow, and the Tinman, with the turrets of Emerald City in the distance. This illustration was subsequently adapted for the cover of a later edition of The Emerald City of Oz, the sixth book in the saga. They were printed using the relief method, which deposits ink only on the top surface of the engraved plate, instead of inside the engraved lines (known as intaglio). Copper and zinc were the primary materials used for printing plates from the mid-19th century through the first decades of the 20th, with the former particularly valued for both its weight, easy engravability, and strength and durability on press. In this case, it appears the copper plate was used to create the zinc copy: as zinc is a far softer metal, which limited the number of passes possible, the copper original was likely retained to form fresh zinc plates when the previous versions failed. For Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz, the endpapers were printed using just two colors, yellow and black, thus two separate sets of plates were required. This pair of plates was used for the yellow background, which was pulled first; the plates for the black line work and fill were then overprinted on top. The wood blocks to which they were all attached are identical in size and shape, so as to maintain registration throughout the press run. Neill and his work in the Oz series earned him the distinction as one of the greatest American illustrators of children s literature. He provided the artwork for all Baum's Oz texts other than the first book, as well as those written by Ruth Plumly Thompson after Baum's death, and also wrote and illustrated four Oz tales himself (the last issued posthumously). His illustrations were a charming complement to the series and provided a cohesive visual identity to the characters that led them to become widely recognizable staples of American literature. Copper and zinc plates, each mounted on an individual wood block; the copper completely covers the top of the wood; sections of the zinc are cut away, exposing the board underneath. Seller Inventory # 311228

Bibliographic Details

Title: A pair of copper and zinc printing plates ...

Publisher: Reilly & Britton, [Chicago

Publication Date: 1908

Binding: 14 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches