November 2023 Catalogue

B A U M A N R A R E B O O K S G E N R E F I C T I O N * 2 0 2 3 ONE OF “THE TWO BEST BOOKS OF MY CAREER”: FIRST EDITION OF THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ 3. BAUM, L. Frank. The Patchwork Girl of Oz. Chicago, 1913. Octavo, original pictorial green cloth, custom clamshell box. $2850 First edition of Baum’s seventh Oz book, the introduction of one of his most beloved characters, profusely illustrated by John Neill with numerous color and black-and-white text illustrations, many full page. After writing a series of unrelated fairy stories, Baum, motivated by popular demand and personal bankruptcy, returned to tales of Oz with this volume. He would produce a new Oz title annually until his death in 1919. This novel became the basis for the first production of Baum’s motion picture production business, the Oz Film Manufacturing Company. Although the film proved an unexpected failure, the novel has enchanted generations. Baum himself considered it, along with the non-Oz Sky Island, one of “the two best books of my career” (Rogers, 184). In first state binding with five pages of advertisements with synopses at rear; announcement with half-tone photographs on page [343]; the “C” of “Chapter Three” (page 35) not overlapping the text, an error found in the earliest copies printed and corrected (as here) “probably during the first printing” (Hanff & Greene, 64). Without extremely scarce original dust jacket. Hanff & Greene, 63-65. Contemporary gift inscription on ownership page, evidence of owner name erasure on title page. Interior fine, cloth bright and fresh with only minor wear to spine ends. A nearly fine copy. 3

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