Description: 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 one of the most sought-after firsts on Ebay: the first edition of L Frank Baum's classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, published in September, 1900 by the George M. Hill Co., Chicago. This is a C-state binding, with the "C" encircling the "o" at the base of the spine cloth. This C variant is the second print run, which amounted to 12,000 copies (in addition to the 10,000 initial copies), and the last copies printed of this first edition. The binding was extravagant, with 150 illustrations in the text using 6 different colors and 24 8-color full-page inserts and elaborately stamped cloth. The book comes complete with a very high-quality facsimile of the original dust jacket, which you can only get here. As they were made of a highly-acidic oak tag, they have survived only in shreds, but here we offer a facsimile recreated on dyed, acid-free heavy French art bond. These books were bound with corrosive glue behind the spine, so they have nearly always fallen apart. This means you will invariably find them disbound or rebound. Each collector decides which they would prefer to collect. Disbound copies are best kept in cases and are difficult to examine without damaging further. Rebound copies are more difficult to purchase confidently, as, instead of being rebound successfully, depending on the skill of the binder, they may be rebound in a fashion ranging from mediocre to disastrous. This copy has been very successfully rebound in an all acid-free process, so that it reads easily and holds together very firmly. A really wonderful job. The book has been fully resewn, reblocked and rebound with the original spine remnants reapplied atop new green spine cloth. The 22 existing color plates have been supplemented with 2 high-quality facsimile replacement plates (opposite pages 160 and 220,) so that all 24 color plates are included. The plate on 220 is actually a torn half original with the other half a facsimile (see 17th pic). All the rest of the materials are original, and the book is, thus, complete in every way. Boards and endpapers are heavily soiled and worn (please see pics.) A few fingerprints, minor foxing, and minor edgewear within along with several chips repaired with acid-free binder's tissue. Binding is very tight and square. Text and numerous illustrations are very bright and crisp. 261 pages, measures approximately 7.25 x 8.75-inches. This will make a stunning centerpiece to your rare books collection or an heirloom-quality gift. Please click HERE to see the other Oz classics and firsts we offer! Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Please click HERE to peruse our shelf of other iconic children's firsts! ** Have you seen all the amazing first and rare editions of iconic books we offer? We gladly combine shipping and refund the shipping overpayment, so please check out our other items! -- other auctions of classic antiquarian literature and special gifts!** Thank you for your interest! ***Priority shipping options are available at checkout!***
Price: 3995 USD
Location: Bronx, New York
End Time: 2024-10-16T19:58:55.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Binding: Cloth
Special Attributes: 1st Edition, Illustrated
Author: L. Frank Baum
Topic: Classics
Subject: Literature & Fiction
Character Family: The Wizard of Oz
Year Printed: 1900