The Magic of Oz (the first of Baum's final two books, published one month after his death)

First Edition, Later Printing (c 1937). Fine in a just about fine dust jacket. A fantastic copy of this well-known Oz book. This was the second to last OZ book written by Baum. It was published to great acclaim just one month after Baum's passing. Baum died from complications developer after major gallbladder surgery. He completed Magic of Oz and Glinda of Oz, (in that order), during a short period when he rallied and prevailed over a month-long delirium from which he had not been expected to live. Magic and Glinda were the first books published after the end of World War I. Sales during the war years were modest at best, but Magic was a hit and sold 26,000 copies. Indeed, sales were so string that the publisher Reilly & Lee felt comfortable raising the price of Glinda to $2.00. It's unfortunate that Baum didn't leave to see this incredible turnaround, but he ended his life and the golden age of Oz storytelling on a high note.  

Fine in a just about fine dust jacket. Quite rare in this condition. Later printing with all black and white illustrations (circa 1937 based on title list on rear dj flap); yet still considered "early" as dust jacket, pictorial boards and other hark to a number of first printing points. Dust jacket near fine with the slightest of foxing on the flaps and tiny chip on tail of spine. Internal content and pages fine. Boards near fine in publisher's original green cloth with paste-on illustrated front board, black lettering on spine, with very light foxing to the margins of the pastedowns. Otherwise in fine condition - an excellent copy. 4to. 267 pp.