[Rarebooks] F.S.-Denslow's Scarecrow

[Michelle Levick]

> For your consideration:  Price $200, Media Mail free- 

Denslow, W.W.  Scarecrow and The Tin-Man and Other Stories. Chicago: M.A. Donohue & Co., 1904. This is a later edition, end papers are plain, Denslow not on spine. Images available

William W. Denslow, popular illustrator of the late 19th early 20th century; he was the illustrator and co-owner and friend of Baum's early Oz books. This collection of beautiful stylized illustrated stories includes: Barnyard Circus, Animal Fare, Mother Goose ABC Book, Simple Simon, Three Little Kittens and a host of other childhood characters, "And there was the Kangaroo, with Ostrich who came from the Zoo. Under a tree, they were serving tea, with cake and lemonade too." In addition to various Oz characters and their story, Denslow's Barn Yard Circus of unforgettable characters and verse. Bright, bold color illustrations.

 William Wallace Denslow (1856-1915), New Haven,Ct., raised in New York City. WW Denslow most remembered for his illustration of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, one of the books he collaborated on with Frank L. Baum. Denslow started selling his illustrations to magazines when still a teenager, he spent a short time at both the National Academy of Design and Cooper Institute (New York). Essentially self taught, his stylized graphic talents bought a new life to children's book illustration with his comic influenced style. Denslow's membership in the Salmagundi Club (1871, Art Club in Greenwich Village N.Y.), helped him in obtaining illustration and graphic work for magazines: Hearth and Home; St. Nicholas Magazine for Children, he also illustrated for the Daily Graphic, etc. In 1882 he settled in Philadelphia quickly becoming a well known member of the artist community, and a sought after commercial artist. He designed theatre posters, illustrated for newspapers, monthly periodicals, book plates, fashion, etc. Denslow was the only professional artist ever to be asked by Elbert Hubbard's to design for Roycroft Press. His collaboration with Frank L. Baum produced several other successful children's books before they had falling out. Denslow went on to illustrate his own children's books: Denslow's Mother Goose; Denslow's Night Before Christmas; Denslow's Picture Book Series, being the most popular. Despite his achievements and impact on the Golden Age of Book Illustration William Wallace Denslow died at 58 in relative obscurity. Two page corners are chipped, 1/2" and 1 inch. Four pages closed tear to side edge, range 1 to 2 1/2.  Mid book hinge separating, pages all tight and secure in covers. Few pale finger smudges, and mild random off-setting. Illustrated color title page, with other stories in green box. Later Edition  of the 1904 Edition published by G.W. Dillingham. Cloth.
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> Red cloth boards and spine, color paste down of the Scarecrow and Tin Man, mild rubbing, no chips, black lettering. Pale round fade spot near lower joint 1/2 inch. Spine ends and corners rubbed. Mild soil. oversized sm 4to, not paginated. Christmas Inscription (1934) to f.e.p., and other previous owner name and date upper edge. In archival  protective wraps. 

> Sincerely, 
> Michelle Levick
> Bookmaven, Antiquarian, Out-of-Print, First Editions & Unusual Books
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