Here we offer one of the most sought-after firsts on Ebay: a complete print of the first edition of L. Frank Baum's classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; "C" binding, with second state (corrected) text; and published in September, 1900 by the George M. Hill Co., Chicago. This "C" binding features the publisher’s name at the foot of the spine in red, sans-serif type, all letters in the same-size font with the "C" outside of the "O." The A and B bindings accounted for the first 10,000 copies printed. This C variant is the second print run, which amounted to 12,000 more 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 chromolithograph 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 celery-toned, acid-free French art bond.
These books were bound with highly acidic 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 reblocked and rebound with the head and foot of the spine cloth repaired with beige book cloth and new headbands added. It should be noted the spine cloth is repaired at the ends, to the extent that the publisher's name at the bottom is half worn away and can only be recognized studiously. All 24 color plates are original, so the book is complete, a real rarity. The cloth wraps all the way around without ever having had the spine separated.
Boards are heavily soiled and worn (as is common with this edition--please see pics.) Binding is very tight and square. Text and numerous illustrations are very bright and crisp with some edge-toning and fingerprints. 261 pages, measures approximately 7.25 x 8.75-inches. The dust jacket comes sleeved in ph-neutral Mylar and ready to slip into your collection.
This will make a stunning centerpiece to your rare books collection, an heirloom-quality gift, or a particularly savvy investment.
** 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!
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