Baum, L. Frank.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Chicago: Geo. M. Hill, 1900



4to, first edition, first state text and illustrations, pictorial title-page and 23 plates printed in colour, numerous illustrations in the text printed in black and one colour, pictorial endpapers and cover design all by W.W. Denslow, original pictorial light green cloth blocked in red and darker green, ten early leaves repaired along edges, plate opposite page 45 heavily repaired, a few other plates with minor tears or browning in margins, binding recased, restored and rebacked with new spine lettered in addition 'Books of Wonder'

Hanff/Greene 1:1

The first true American fairy tale and uncommon in the first state.

This copy has been completely rebacked with a new spine crudely replicating that of the second issue binding but with 'Books of Wonder' stamped on the spine and the green band at the lower third of the spine reduced in depth. The book has been heavily repaired throughout but does comprise the scarce first issue text and illustrations as follows:

box around advertisements on page 2; verso of title-page blank; page 14 line one reads 'low wail on' ... '; page 81 fourth line from bottom reads 'peices'; the last line on page 100 and 186 have unbroken type; page [227] line one reads 'While Tin Woodman'; the colophon is composed of eleven lines and is boxed; the colour plate facing page 34 has two dark spots on the moon; the colour plate facing page 92 has a red horizon background.