PBA Galleries

First edition of the immortal first Oz book. First state, in binding variant B (Geo. M. Hill stamped on spine in red unserifed type): the publisher's advertisement on p.[2] is enclosed in a box; p.14, line 1 has "low wail on..."; p.81, fourth line from bottom has "peices"; p.[227], line 1 begins "While Tin Woodman..."; the colophon at the end of the book is set in 11 lines and is enclosed in a box; perfect type on p.100, last line, and perfect type on p.186, last line; the color plate facing p.34 has 2 dark-blue blots on the moon, and the plate facing page 92 has red shading on the horizon; the verso of the title-page is blank, with no copyright notice. This copy with the plate which normally faces page 14 facing page 12, a variant which Hanff & Greene mention is reported by Blanck. "The costly format of [this] book reflected the conscious effort of the author and the illustrator, L. Frank Baum and W.W. Denslow, to produce a children's book that would be as enjoyable to look at as to read" (p. 10) and, it might be added, to collect. This copy with large pencil gift inscription dated 1900 on first blank. Hanff & Greene I.