“THE MOST HIDDEN MYSTERIES OF MAGIC”: FIRST EDITION OF L. FRANK BAUM’S FINAL OZ BOOK, GLINDA OF OZ,WITH THE RARE PROMOTIONAL MAP
BAUM, L. Frank. Glinda of Oz. Chicago: Reilly & Lee, (1920). Octavo, original brown cloth, mounted cover illustration, pictorial endpapers.
First edition of Baum’s 14th and final Oz book, with 12 color plates and numerous in-text illustrations by John R. Neill, also with the scarce promotional, full-color map of Oz laid in.
Partially written by Baum’s wife, Maud, Glinda of Oz—an adventure some readers classify as, in a minor departure for the series, an intriguing hybrid of pure fantasy and genuine science fiction—saw print only after Baum died. At his death, on May 6, 1919, “he was the most celebrated children’s author of his time” (Eyles, 51). “According to family legend, he spoke his last semi-conscious words to his wife, drifting away after a quiet reference to the deadly desert one had to traverse the reach the Land of Oz: ‘Now we can cross the shifting sands…” (Fricke, 41). First edition, with 13 Oz titles including this one listed on verso of half title and the rare “Professor Wogglebug” map laid in, as issued by Reilly & Lee with all Oz volumes sold in 1920. The map has long baffled Oz enthusiasts: “Munchkin country was originally established [in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, 1900] as being in the east part of Oz, and Winkie country in the west. But the map that appeared [in 1914] as the endpapers in Tik-Tok of Oz”— the same map reproduced, with slight changes, as this 1920 promotional piece—“shows them reversed” (Eyles, 55). “The earliest copies of the first printing show perfect type at the top of page 150,” as is the case here (Bienvenue, 81). Brown cloth binding, no priority established. Without scarce original dust jacket. Hanff & Greene, 76-77. Franklin, 33. See Douglas & David Greene 113. Bookseller’s small ticket. Gift inscription dated Christmas 1920.
Scarce promotional map with two tiny chips to edges, fold partly split. Interior generally clean. Slight rubbing to spine and extremities, a few small minor abrasions to mounted cover illustration. A lovely copy in near-fine condition.