TRUE First Edition,1900,The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,L.Frank Baum,w/ Archival Case

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TRUE First Edition,1900,The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,L.Frank Baum,w/ Archival Case:
$2495.00

“I think you are wrong to want a heart. It makes most people unhappy. If you only knew it, you are in luck not to have a heart.”

Here we offer perhaps the most sought-after first on : the TRUE first edition of L Frank Baum\'s classic,The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, published in 1900 by the George M. Hill Co., copyright 1899 by L. Frank Baum and W.W. Denslow; Introduction by L. Frank Baum, Chicago, April, 1900.

This is therare \"B\" binding, with second state text, in a deluxe archival case.(\"B\" bindingfeatures the publisher’s name at the foot of the spine in red, Sans-Serif type, all letters in the same-size font with the \"O\" outside of the \"C\"). All materils are completely original, never swapped, repaired, or restored in any way. This is highly preferable with this particularly rare title that almost always has binding issues, because often \"Frankenstein\" or hack jobs are done to create unified copies. Even highly professional restoration jobs are often found to be poor as time passes and better methods of preservation are invented.

Absolutely complete with all 24 color plates. Completely free of writing except on the blank page inside the cover, which bears a period inscription.

Second state points are:Complete corrected text; ads opposite colored title page have nobox surrounding them; text on interior rear board paper set in thirteen lines and not enclosed in a box; text reading “low wail of the wind” begins page 14; spot-free illustration of the moon on the plate “You must be a great sorceress;” horizon is red-free on plate opposite page 92 (“The stork carried him up into the air”); text reads “dashed to pieces” on p. 81; text reads “While the Woodman” on p. 227.

Some specifics on condition:

Original pictorial cloth binding (dark green and vermillion) has minor if any soiling, corners are rubbed, and there is light edge rubbing on the boards.
Head of the spine is frayed with a small chip; foot of the spine is frayed
Hinges tender but still holding. General looseness up to page 48, plus loose color plates opposite 56 and 80. Rear 2/3 of the book holds well.
Small tear on title page (please see pic.)
A few plates with very short tears and light wear to the margins; all clean.
“I was only made yesterday” color plate has a chip that removes the edge of the illustration (please see pic.)

261 pages, book weighs approximately 3 lbs, measures approximately 7 x 9 x 1.5-inches. Comes in an absolutely beautiful ph-neutral archival case that secures it from further damage.

This would make a stunning centerpiece to your rare books collection, an heirloom-quality gift, or a particularly savvy investment.

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Thank you for your interest!