The Enchanted Island of Yew: L. Frank Baum, Illustrated by Fanny Y. Cory

Overview Early Bobbs-Merrill printing of L. Frank Baum's 'The Enchanted Island of Yew,' illustrated by Fanny Y. Cory. Indianapolis imprint (not the later Chicago/Donohue reprint). Octavo in publisher's brown cloth with large pictorial label to the upper board. A charming non-Oz fantasy from the author of 'The Wizard of Oz'. Highlights - Indianapolis imprint by The Bobbs-Merrill Company, Publishers - Illustrated by Fanny Y. Cory with tipped-in color plates and decorative page designs - Early 20th-century American children's fantasy by L. Frank Baum - Collectible copy with all pages present; last plate present but detached - Larger format: 9 1/8 x 7 in. (approx.) Why you will love it Baum's stand-alone fairy tale pairs heroic quests with Cory's Art-Nouveau styling. Indianapolis Bobbs-Merrill issues are preferred by collectors and display beautifully. Dating and background Bobbs-Merrill first issued the title in 1903. This example bears the Indianapolis imprint on the title page, consistent with early printings. Later, cheaper Chicago reprints (for example by M. A. Donohue) appear on the market more often and trade at lower prices; this copy is not one of those. Condition Good to good-minus overall for age. Cover worn and soiled with frayed corners and edges; small paper loss to upper right of the pictorial label. Boards show some warping and mild spine roll. Front endpapers are fragile at the gutter. Pages toned with scattered handling; generally clean. All text present; the last illustration plate is cleanly detached but present. Binding holding. Dimensions Approximately 9 1/8 x 7 in. (23.2 x 17.8 cm). Care Handle gently. Support the hinges when opening; avoid forcing the gutter. Store upright, away from direct sunlight and humidity. Styling Lovely on a nursery or library shelf; display open to one of Cory's plates on a stand for a storybook vignette.