“NO ONE CAN GO FAR ASTRAY IN THE LAND OF OZ”: FIRST EDITION OF THE SCARECROW OF OZ, INSCRIBED BY L. FRANK BAUM

BAUM, L. Frank. The Scarecrow of Oz. Chicago: Reilly & Britton, (1915). Octavo, original green cloth, mounted cover illustration, pictorial endpapers. $23,500.

First edition, first state, of Baum’s ninth Oz tale, richly illustrated by John R. Neill with 12 color plates and numerous black-and-white illustrations, inscribed by the author on the ownership page, "Presented with loving regards of L. Frank Baum."

Adapted from a 1914 production by Baum's Oz Film Manufacturing Company, this volume brings Trot and Cap'n Bill, two of Baum's popular characters from unrelated books, into the ongoing Oz adventures. This was allegedly Baum's favorite book of the series. First state, with the publisher's advertisement on the verso of the half title listing eight titles, the last of which is this one. Without extremely scarce original dust jacket. Hanff & Greene, 68-69. Eyles, 50.

Scattered marginal light soiling to interior; minor expert restoration to inner paper hinges, minor restoration to cloth extremities. A handsome, extremely good copy, quite rare inscribed by Baum.