BAUM, L[yman] Frank. The New Wizard of Oz. With Pictures by W[illiam] W[allace] Denslow. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill [1903]. 8vo, 261pp. Dark green cloth pictorially stamped in black and orange. Two-color pictorial endpapers; 16 full-color plates and two-color textual illustrations throughout. Corners and spine ends worn, cloth covering outer hinges heavily rubbed, cloth a bit soiled with some spotting to front cover. Some light internal handsoiling, else a generally clean, tight copy. Quite rare!

Second edition, first state, variant B – no priority established. The first reissue of this beloved tale, having been issued by Bobbs-Merrill after the original publisher, George M. Hill went bankrupt (hence the word “NEW” in the title). As this occurred during the record-breaking run on Broadway of The Wizard of Oz musical, this edition was quickly brought out and is one of the rarest of all states of this title. Baum’s iconic American story featuring the adventures of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion as they journey across Oz in search of the Wizard. Bienvenue p6.