Posted by “The Wonderful Wizards of Art: An Illustrated Odyssey Through the Land of Oz” is a gloriously unique illustrated tribute to “The Wizard of Oz” that will be sure to delight all fans of the books and the iconic 1939 film. Paging through it is like sitting in the passenger’s seat of a road trip through the colorful history of Baum’s magical world.
NOTE that the book is limited to just 515 copies. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. There will be no second printing. Order yours now as this is a definite MUST HAVE!
Here are a few of the many pages devoted to the film. Note that the book covers all aspects of artwork related to the original Baum book and other adaptations, in addition to the iconic 1939 film (featured here). Included is also a very rare watercolor painting created by Judy herself!
The cost is $90 which, for this amazing book, is a steal. It’s the kind of oversized coffee table book that we don’t see much anymore. In addition to the seemingly endless array of rare photos and artwork, there is also some fantastic original artwork, with the cover design by our friend and amazing graphic artist, Raphael Geroni.
There is also 3D artwork at the end of the book, viewable with 3D glasses (the Chromadepth 3D Paper kind that you might have from a previous movie viewing. If not, you can order them here on Amazon.
Having bought a copy myself, I can’t stress enough how incredibly gorgeous this book is and what a sheer delight it is to see so many rare photos and artwork. It’s a true collectible and a must-have for any fan’s Oz or Judy Garland collection!
Details about the book from the website:
ALL COPIES ARE SIGNED with both authors’ signatures: in the front endpapers by Caren Marsh-Doll (red archival permanent ink), in interior by Daniel “Munch” Kinske (purple archival permanent ink.)
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- 11″ wide x 17″ tall x 0.665″ thick, hard covers, 150 pages, 4 lbs
- Silver title foil on front cover and spine and old gilding on three edges (head and feet) of book.
- All copies numbered from 001 through 515 (total print run is 515 copies—numbers are on the verso inside the books “Certificate of Death” (adjacent the barcode/ISBN.)
All information and images on this page provided by “The Wonderful Wizards of Art: An Illustrated Odyssey Through the Land of Oz,” at: www.wizardsofart.com. Thank you!
This looks like a beautiful book, but why only 515 copies??? Surely the history of Baum’s books, the movie itself, and Judy herself, would warrant countless more printings, especially in light of 2022 being the 100th anniversary of Judy’s birth. Truly a head-scratcher.
Gary,
This is just the second book I’ve designed and published, the first (www.artduckobooko.com) was a Marx Brothers behemoth, which was fun and I only had 505 numbered copies. I do everything myself, so I try and have both a number that I can handle (storing, mailing, etc.) along with what I think can be sold. I do my best to add lots of bells and whistles to what I feel are missing in books on the subject–or what I think I can contribute that is different–and make them look nice. I also try and make it so these books have a re-sale value, or at least hold a value–which is hard to do with print on demand books. I screwed up on the 515 application as I was thinking 5/15/1900 was the first Oz book’s publishing date, but it was Baum’s 44th birthday, and the book came out 5/17/1900, so I should have had these 001-517, instead of to 515, to give it some meaning, but now it just means his birthday. Also, I wanted to have an Oz book where every single copy is pre-signed by Caren Marsh-Doll (last surviving stand in and last living person known to have worn the blue gingham dress, ruby slippers, and walked on the Yellow Brick Road), and it was easer not to have a centenarian signing 2,000 endpapers, etc.
Best,
Daniel “Munch” Kinske
Thank you!
Thank you, Daniel, for educating me and providing yet another beautiful tome on all things “Oz.”
Gary,
My pleasure. The benefit with such small print runs, is that I can try some fun things–like the Caren signature–that big publishers just won’t invest in, but I figure if I make around 500 (around 60 large cases to put somewhere) I can really make them nice with lots of bells and whistles (and one-on-one with every purchaser.)
Each project I end up meeting specialized fans and collectors and often end up working with them for future projects where their collection is credited and they receive gift copies, or some collectors have books in themselves, so I’m always in awe and appreciation of the fans and collectors.
So, now I have to keep my ears perked up for material, so I can put together a nice book on Oz for the centenary of the film in a mere seventeen years (which means I have about fifteen years to find enough material to necessitate another book, which is plenty of time–though by then I’ll be the age in which Baum died, which was during our last pandemic.)
Of course in trying to re-create Ozcot in this book it made it even more maddening and saddening that it was razed as it would have been an Ozsome museum. Bummer. Maybe some day they will knock down that apartment building and do something different–an Oz park, an Oz museum? Who knows as the Oz Twister blows…
-d…
“Munch”
Great looking book. I’m guessing it sold quickly since it’s no longer listed at the website. I think a copy would look nice at the Mills Community House. I’m sure you have heard the news in Northern Michigan. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss. -Cherry Jerry
CJ,
A red, red cherry was never so sweet—you are safe around Mills and Community Houses, but steer clear of the eponymous/titular hut as they’ll make you into a delicious pie—some might say the best pies in a centenary since 1922–also the year Judy Garland was born. Will be sure to get you copy “022” of “515,” as the Cherry Hut was founded in 1922–just a month before Judy—and just as sweet. Hope you enjoy your copy Cherry Jerry as that’s the last one I have—the remaining few numbered copies are sold exclusively at the Academy Museum, Museum Store in Los Angeles.