tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83425614330042086092024-02-28T17:41:57.332-06:00The Oz EnthusiastBill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.comBlogger580125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-64155588527721233522023-10-09T11:31:00.000-05:002023-10-09T11:31:33.534-05:00Pulpy Neill<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cJN5DYuwwdtKa9GVvT4ybhKXVqjlBZCqwu9EJbyCYi2Rk8ccuKwCBe3Dw5f6lH71UDk116BoIFz77mGsgNfm9U24SJuxL_ndJOv4EAKVqlZXbGz6HiiOVX5v8TSBd1F19xpCuBARZ-dZbw9-99dxN4oZ8Iv2oGXKV3QFz3F8T9hf85G39XdsFUTQp2U/s864/Argosy%20Magazines.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="864" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cJN5DYuwwdtKa9GVvT4ybhKXVqjlBZCqwu9EJbyCYi2Rk8ccuKwCBe3Dw5f6lH71UDk116BoIFz77mGsgNfm9U24SJuxL_ndJOv4EAKVqlZXbGz6HiiOVX5v8TSBd1F19xpCuBARZ-dZbw9-99dxN4oZ8Iv2oGXKV3QFz3F8T9hf85G39XdsFUTQp2U/w400-h236/Argosy%20Magazines.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br /></div>Along with his his regular Oz work and other illustrative endeavors, John R. Neill produced a number of drawings for the adventure magazines, or pulps, of the early 20th century. Although he didn’t do the cover art of the magazines, quite a few issues are filled with his interior illustrations. These inexpensive publications were at their peak from the 1920's -1940's, coinciding nicely with Neill's career. Paper shortages during the second World War helped to bring about the decline of the pulps, and by 1957 the genre was fairly defunct. <br /><p></p><p>I have three examples of this style of work, but I hadn't tried tracking down where the drawings may have been originally used. One is clearly labeled, while the other two have some notations but no definite instructions. Thanks to some swift research by Atticus Gannaway, I now know what my mystery drawings were intended to illustrate.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow3IAIT3oQiaJsyirCwMnyilGp8SGTsP4OXsWCdi740bZx33Mn5qSOUvCNKi5Tj7szo3rk8Sj1TOw9JLALRxcacuo-_XpXuOxbOOMbz4UnEweFuk0V9D21vz1vbdfkm8DESqMGzRkpgXgGLZrULB3VR643DgEjzTlaOz0HL9VwsWIyOzcqUOIaB0Agzs/s1000/Argosy%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhow3IAIT3oQiaJsyirCwMnyilGp8SGTsP4OXsWCdi740bZx33Mn5qSOUvCNKi5Tj7szo3rk8Sj1TOw9JLALRxcacuo-_XpXuOxbOOMbz4UnEweFuk0V9D21vz1vbdfkm8DESqMGzRkpgXgGLZrULB3VR643DgEjzTlaOz0HL9VwsWIyOzcqUOIaB0Agzs/w320-h213/Argosy%20copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The labeled drawing was published in the December 20th, 1930 edition of <i>Argosy Magazine</i>. <i>Argosy</i> was the original pulp, starting in 1896 and running until 1942. For the
cheap paper of the pulps, drawings were best when bold with strong line
work - a style well suited to Neill! This particular illustration was used for the fourth and final installment of <i>Murder on the High Seas</i>, written by George F. Worts. It's shown here together with the magazine containing the first installment.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNvDR2u7SIdNhXJMCB7ZmzqE3nLkeATpXm29gKqfwUHtv4Fwmy-_W9UWNyWHjPeBAJWr5MHAr1gC0_Jd5PtdjXSbCJKQGOobXO32q8QfJoRhrqek-FA4UPSlzvx2-pBW_AfSXt9HX_8kZnWJcu7SPNVycRoPISa-AOvEl7lcbVXukYkSPxfv5K2JDgXA/s1080/Argosy%20Magazines%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1080" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNvDR2u7SIdNhXJMCB7ZmzqE3nLkeATpXm29gKqfwUHtv4Fwmy-_W9UWNyWHjPeBAJWr5MHAr1gC0_Jd5PtdjXSbCJKQGOobXO32q8QfJoRhrqek-FA4UPSlzvx2-pBW_AfSXt9HX_8kZnWJcu7SPNVycRoPISa-AOvEl7lcbVXukYkSPxfv5K2JDgXA/s320/Argosy%20Magazines%20copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWv2qDRnI6ilAeJ3rUP_G1v0tr__fRNCVGO-dhJYE6nksLk-XYkRECrIqXTy1crnzuNkZXPKik7U7XwVXXGjA6QrCQwpLw-wjA0ZsjtA8qFt4Q7jzsj_cOV-3xxEjeqqmWoWU_-zbYEOrrjWGIpnxqsL8NGa4QYKCZcMhCbBxl_MdgyD5VtopWQQ2M8M/s557/Argosy%20back%20copy.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="557" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWv2qDRnI6ilAeJ3rUP_G1v0tr__fRNCVGO-dhJYE6nksLk-XYkRECrIqXTy1crnzuNkZXPKik7U7XwVXXGjA6QrCQwpLw-wjA0ZsjtA8qFt4Q7jzsj_cOV-3xxEjeqqmWoWU_-zbYEOrrjWGIpnxqsL8NGa4QYKCZcMhCbBxl_MdgyD5VtopWQQ2M8M/w200-h129/Argosy%20back%20copy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The back of the drawing bears the information of title, date and author, together with the stamp of the Frank A. Munsey Co., the publishers of <i>Argosy</i>. <br /><p></p><p>As it turns out, the other two drawings were not used for publication, making identification a bit trickier - but Atticus did track them down!</p><p>The first was intended for a story in <i>Adventure</i> magazine, from February 15th, 1929. This was titled <i>Off Finisterre, </i>and written by Albert Richard Wetjen. A Neill drawing was used for the magazine, but it appears to be a simpler variation of the one in my collection. In both cases a man is seen on the deck of a ship, shooting a flare into the night sky. The published drawing is tall and narrow, rather than the square proportions of the unpublished version, which may explain why a different drawing was needed. The published version is more dramatic, with large areas of shadow and black sky - which may be another reason for the change. A notation reading "Off Finistere" is written on the unpublished piece.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEironDUnhdZ3S7FqsbzcVsNM7uxIK8WqR5coTTlh3Oo2kQtDl_Qwv8bYZRGswAmsUoWJih_R9OaT1pSsbXAtwc8hF72HdajHD_ncLpUJyYCWXX6aAfsUopdmQ6m-SfrjhvxdP9vMlGBlVrCYae7zhzw0jGMbmbxpaknjbspT0xaK0fv4XxPLUEEsP9YiL8/s1800/Finisterre.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1800" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEironDUnhdZ3S7FqsbzcVsNM7uxIK8WqR5coTTlh3Oo2kQtDl_Qwv8bYZRGswAmsUoWJih_R9OaT1pSsbXAtwc8hF72HdajHD_ncLpUJyYCWXX6aAfsUopdmQ6m-SfrjhvxdP9vMlGBlVrCYae7zhzw0jGMbmbxpaknjbspT0xaK0fv4XxPLUEEsP9YiL8/w400-h243/Finisterre.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The other drawing has the hand written caption “with every bit of his strength he swung out”, and “Headhunters p. 15” at the lower left. At first it appeared that this may have been drawn for the September 18th, 1919 issue of <i>Adventure</i> magazine; a story titled <i>Head-Hunters and Gold </i>was published, along with a different Neill illustration. But this was not the case, as Atticus soon found another tale. This was simply titled <i>Head-Hunters</i>, by Sidney Herschel Small, and was published in the June 20th, 1931 issue of <i>Argosy</i>. Once again a Neill drawing was used to illustrate the story, but this time I think it lacks the drama of the unpublished piece.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyyPPekuJC6gP0iQb9JZ6L7_fCffWTmmxjDKK-ZETImcggQCFGGwoqAfAKVwREFqFSAnsatj3J1DwAVKD3p6ghoy523PTuTiMEQykPLYneIHuB-qf8BHUXsZIq0_PrqwT-vvl3H447-cQ1FmaQeEs1R2kCFIP53MDUWvHw34TZ4V3WUQvuevNe_QHSBU/s1800/Head-Hunters.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1800" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyyPPekuJC6gP0iQb9JZ6L7_fCffWTmmxjDKK-ZETImcggQCFGGwoqAfAKVwREFqFSAnsatj3J1DwAVKD3p6ghoy523PTuTiMEQykPLYneIHuB-qf8BHUXsZIq0_PrqwT-vvl3H447-cQ1FmaQeEs1R2kCFIP53MDUWvHw34TZ4V3WUQvuevNe_QHSBU/w400-h188/Head-Hunters.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Far more dynamic than the sedate image showing natives filing through the jungle, the unused illustration pictures the hero swinging on a vine, about to attack the cannibals. In case of any doubt regarding its intended use, the handwritten caption precisely matches the printed moment in the story.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrbqmwsvUFM2AOLXBSnVE6B1p8AzW3W4OVr-3oNdJTKm-fUPh289SU92o3ja5lebaOfw86dgPS1ZQU6HFZItMwfnMVgkeJ6IW-yvRNOM3oHZ7NX8cPynOUPZx2muIqF06lceuCZQyg_fievfWIvGXhIuQCxazJUpyeOer-SHNOOaE2mY99HdsHNDJvas/s586/caption.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="179" data-original-width="586" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrbqmwsvUFM2AOLXBSnVE6B1p8AzW3W4OVr-3oNdJTKm-fUPh289SU92o3ja5lebaOfw86dgPS1ZQU6HFZItMwfnMVgkeJ6IW-yvRNOM3oHZ7NX8cPynOUPZx2muIqF06lceuCZQyg_fievfWIvGXhIuQCxazJUpyeOer-SHNOOaE2mY99HdsHNDJvas/w320-h98/caption.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-21506549942144026292023-09-03T14:53:00.006-05:002023-09-04T00:01:52.593-05:00Final Denslow<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGzkgKd2zvugf2ak3gWUZhJXvX9FuodNTGsG-Or0A1ttR_RSWAtgxrd8KqntqHxcMSV1uvi40yNzHdHhrPsdkxfaPuPIXgOWFO1lVMkP2P-Dqs5Ydc6NPjo2X3eaafy56X7j4EkeV1OsUnwvMF3TAKL701mab3jU-KuaYQ20uX72Y9nMpnmX86_E4AkM/s1440/books:postcards.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1440" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGzkgKd2zvugf2ak3gWUZhJXvX9FuodNTGsG-Or0A1ttR_RSWAtgxrd8KqntqHxcMSV1uvi40yNzHdHhrPsdkxfaPuPIXgOWFO1lVMkP2P-Dqs5Ydc6NPjo2X3eaafy56X7j4EkeV1OsUnwvMF3TAKL701mab3jU-KuaYQ20uX72Y9nMpnmX86_E4AkM/w400-h216/books:postcards.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>W. W. Denslow experienced many highs and lows during his life and career. High points certainly included his collaborations with L. Frank Baum, and the huge success of <i>The Wizard of Oz</i> on stage.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6_Cfu3WY9377vQ_PNVEjfHlja2VL0ALcYAxpV4Ap_GYnVnD5gxgH0u6Vue9Jvp_G0Gs2CSVUKb_0OdVQnJhsTrHepIb46xMcRdeED7XXO5OXv9BivHg1gWDVZRyNTakDjUCQQzdd7_AWU8uppzHB9io4LTwazHpkl1r6TTQmu_jFl9Z2AtHs14jwFTY/s698/Denslow's%20Island%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="698" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6_Cfu3WY9377vQ_PNVEjfHlja2VL0ALcYAxpV4Ap_GYnVnD5gxgH0u6Vue9Jvp_G0Gs2CSVUKb_0OdVQnJhsTrHepIb46xMcRdeED7XXO5OXv9BivHg1gWDVZRyNTakDjUCQQzdd7_AWU8uppzHB9io4LTwazHpkl1r6TTQmu_jFl9Z2AtHs14jwFTY/s320/Denslow's%20Island%20.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Profits from the show allowed Denslow to lease, then purchase, his own island in Bermuda, where he worked on other projects. His 1904 book <i>The Pearl and the Pumpkin</i> uses the ocean around the islands in its plot; Denslow even slipped in a drawing of his own island. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcTGV6KCs9Vp2u46hb6sJJmzQktz2W6stf1PbeoPbiEfwNzTckoThNJNJL88oHKZBnJjWwvsu0r-qao66CobRJPZ10jPjz8TVKVLQgrrKphocSGkvUk4Ug_D30gwtdidQvbvzCgbhEN8Ud22eDnf8sJkjf-U5XoMu7TtEePj5i6QHIKEj59IxIcj6A9s/s1080/Island.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="1080" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcTGV6KCs9Vp2u46hb6sJJmzQktz2W6stf1PbeoPbiEfwNzTckoThNJNJL88oHKZBnJjWwvsu0r-qao66CobRJPZ10jPjz8TVKVLQgrrKphocSGkvUk4Ug_D30gwtdidQvbvzCgbhEN8Ud22eDnf8sJkjf-U5XoMu7TtEePj5i6QHIKEj59IxIcj6A9s/s320/Island.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div><p></p><p></p><p>But health problems and alcohol issues plagued the artist, and by 1910 the island had been sold. Denslow was primarily illustrating advertising booklets for various companies, a fall back to something he did earlier in his career. But in 1915 a new opportunity beckoned - Denslow designed a cover for Life, the popular humor magazine, which was accepted and due to be published on their July 15th, 1915 issue. Delighted to have landed this prestigious job, Denslow used the profits from the sale of the drawing for a spree, ending in the hospital where he died of pneumonia on March 29th, before the magazine was even published.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhSU6m0bXX5xIGc_nb3iDC8HyPIaSOa3qjb9vrVmcd-ne9v7QZIHJEMONnKOfuEWMZMWzRjnASqjmeQRjpUxZixu4wX2mUN2xYIe2wSvO9E_LOZwsBVqvAF32AZg-z_zMxfA9xl_P5JL3hYegEz6L_9Q37zGVw4MryVgOlvv-0_hTNCYJ7vH02F6IGlk/s812/small.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="667" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhSU6m0bXX5xIGc_nb3iDC8HyPIaSOa3qjb9vrVmcd-ne9v7QZIHJEMONnKOfuEWMZMWzRjnASqjmeQRjpUxZixu4wX2mUN2xYIe2wSvO9E_LOZwsBVqvAF32AZg-z_zMxfA9xl_P5JL3hYegEz6L_9Q37zGVw4MryVgOlvv-0_hTNCYJ7vH02F6IGlk/s320/small.jpg" width="263" /></a>The cover illustration is a colorful and delightful drawing, showing the artist hadn’t lost his ability to create fanciful images. It brings to mind the work of John Held Jr., the artist whose drawings would come to typify the 1920s, and who was just becoming recognized in his own career. </p><p></p><p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdV2y-sSHLPUPEJ-tKaYpa5M3XdEDpjPBiGGRfhIFCyo6t--uQqCX75Xq2sOcHcLDlEvEpwrzURkvgF2LXIpE67kixy_lLTDcqGlNYAlomveU48w_TjLdLcXkS-GYGv-gsLLo1A1-ZYHOEWMk7VKovKE9yC_WCtNEDHaRHOijWppfQBcMgJj0_RrnbqF8/s864/Comparison.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="611" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdV2y-sSHLPUPEJ-tKaYpa5M3XdEDpjPBiGGRfhIFCyo6t--uQqCX75Xq2sOcHcLDlEvEpwrzURkvgF2LXIpE67kixy_lLTDcqGlNYAlomveU48w_TjLdLcXkS-GYGv-gsLLo1A1-ZYHOEWMk7VKovKE9yC_WCtNEDHaRHOijWppfQBcMgJj0_RrnbqF8/s320/Comparison.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>In Denslow’s drawing a fashionably dressed woman laughs at a carved
Egyptian image showing the costume of an earlier day, declaring it “How
perfectly absurd!” But when looked at with a closer eye, it’s clear
that the 1915 fashion is not much different than that from antiquity!<br /><br /><p></p><br />Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-14022534534943810782023-08-27T09:53:00.000-05:002023-08-27T09:53:28.239-05:00Denslow Compilations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SVDv5keQzIMF4rwoiO2ywJSnpIb9Q15vgh24UYmCW2QTc60qJzo133Ven44_Ct1DTtt17V0vX_qGCL7OrrQm7f9pX76HFaJm2bMazEs1YB6EzpWWH-9MmZRscmdWjh5IDNwh7d5TBi5h6Hqk__nanXzO36K44piugLgx2z7pr_9ZsVDdahYLTebEuMU/s1311/Rear%20Covers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1311" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SVDv5keQzIMF4rwoiO2ywJSnpIb9Q15vgh24UYmCW2QTc60qJzo133Ven44_Ct1DTtt17V0vX_qGCL7OrrQm7f9pX76HFaJm2bMazEs1YB6EzpWWH-9MmZRscmdWjh5IDNwh7d5TBi5h6Hqk__nanXzO36K44piugLgx2z7pr_9ZsVDdahYLTebEuMU/s320/Rear%20Covers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Eighteen picture books were written and illustrated by W. W. Denslow in 1903 and 1904, and published by the G. W. Dillingham company. The series proved popular, and the stories were also released as three hardcover books, each containing 6 stories. Several years later, ca. 1913, the books were reissued by the Donohue company; a reprint house specializing in cheaper editions. I have the Donohue versions of the three books, and it’s interesting to compare the printing of the illustrations in these copies to the original Dillingham printings.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbMsmQ0VF1TAVH_Tb-JynxV5u1lqmadzSAJWUTATMw2Au2Qz_PHO6-YJMjP769i_v9v8IYt7Ef3iGVIDmPlW0qP5Vqj9l4Y5PE5dS8k_FUBZTqnAjihlRRthqbeuTY7qaAQHafjC29YE-BktFJyAX0jYY7W5hHazCZ99_T8sfUVQ56b2zbdRKXxzCnbE/s1009/Compilations%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="1009" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbMsmQ0VF1TAVH_Tb-JynxV5u1lqmadzSAJWUTATMw2Au2Qz_PHO6-YJMjP769i_v9v8IYt7Ef3iGVIDmPlW0qP5Vqj9l4Y5PE5dS8k_FUBZTqnAjihlRRthqbeuTY7qaAQHafjC29YE-BktFJyAX0jYY7W5hHazCZ99_T8sfUVQ56b2zbdRKXxzCnbE/w400-h170/Compilations%20.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Dillingham versions present the stories in a sophisticated color range. Denslow's carefully considered palette of soft tones of orange, turquoise and olive green has been replaced in the Donohue editions with a more standard red/yellow/blue selection. This, combined with a pulpier paper of lower quality,
creates murkier images and removes the cosiness of the muted color tones in the original
printings. Presumably the brighter inks were thought to have greater appeal for the child readers. I prefer the original colors, which reflect Denslow's original choices.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzboRIXeIJRm0YEjJc1agKtnXuGcaqqxSsJDZU2xa7T63-iwzRASjXGooe1Z_OB9zWahaQvHkfLPDkUR_oQ71LogG83MrmGr8YrS_2Lq0O4eOaTgTI8HLjcjXwEAJoqfNRRdyKTmUn4zvYgAq_2D5ho21W1BBzjr1ampC62F85iZrxyuCRoT2BK8ugII/s1152/06%20copy%206.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1152" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzboRIXeIJRm0YEjJc1agKtnXuGcaqqxSsJDZU2xa7T63-iwzRASjXGooe1Z_OB9zWahaQvHkfLPDkUR_oQ71LogG83MrmGr8YrS_2Lq0O4eOaTgTI8HLjcjXwEAJoqfNRRdyKTmUn4zvYgAq_2D5ho21W1BBzjr1ampC62F85iZrxyuCRoT2BK8ugII/s320/06%20copy%206.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>In this example from <i>Old Mother Hubbard</i>, the new color scheme upsets the balance of the drawing. The blue background may be more colorful, but it overpowers the rest of the image, making the dog more difficult to see.<br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHu-xMKZqQydp-Xjt0eNTtHo0OL0DNy9Rty4n-B6i6zoUJOvn_O2iMOVslRaKPQuZzIASzWc5sKuYxNEPIRlDmUrkEzTei6gPYBst8RCtajCZXBQSgYjqZW8vOLrM5ymIiGA-O1vslS26DjUPKvQn1bwidgGK_Klr5HMRzLTKei51aRscTwDWkkmEZ-hE/s1152/06%20copy%204.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="1152" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHu-xMKZqQydp-Xjt0eNTtHo0OL0DNy9Rty4n-B6i6zoUJOvn_O2iMOVslRaKPQuZzIASzWc5sKuYxNEPIRlDmUrkEzTei6gPYBst8RCtajCZXBQSgYjqZW8vOLrM5ymIiGA-O1vslS26DjUPKvQn1bwidgGK_Klr5HMRzLTKei51aRscTwDWkkmEZ-hE/s320/06%20copy%204.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This page from <i>Tom Thumb</i> shows the poor effect of the new coloration. The colors are dark and unfriendly, calling too much attention to the drawing compared to the text.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStAjhEbl7tpGWPXyWpECqi2F7g7CRsWpqzjgX6UEPFIbEZJwC1YfJ94SUiFFCI-XkFYUzxnmWguwRyvjcrj0O6G7XTJJxcD3IlEVnB-uCJ_GF-AWjDmH5pkkXQ5TtkhWKA3lFCr4BBjOEPdnNIrMDWi9RcgRMb3JHxQy7iY68a2lg6TmkN6DtJSpWGwE/s1112/06%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1112" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStAjhEbl7tpGWPXyWpECqi2F7g7CRsWpqzjgX6UEPFIbEZJwC1YfJ94SUiFFCI-XkFYUzxnmWguwRyvjcrj0O6G7XTJJxcD3IlEVnB-uCJ_GF-AWjDmH5pkkXQ5TtkhWKA3lFCr4BBjOEPdnNIrMDWi9RcgRMb3JHxQy7iY68a2lg6TmkN6DtJSpWGwE/s320/06%20copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>And this wizard from <i>Tom Thumb</i> turns a bit garish in his diagonal stripes; the harmony of color seen in the original version is lacking, particularly against the newly dark background.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbl66W0CMBReUGutdUx2btl4hAKuT8Rnq5mTmxAm18WZNWF6npiIApkoXeeEwp_iYNY3tOXR7wAgj6Isn-v9segtxMWF8InlWfoRDmj1IuPgqzlQEpsJJJU6BAdumu587imiHaQ_Vk2oaJupsJHdxic9x-UzhGFTZy0o_Q27BwrTzYtFlutnI4hoQgJ8/s1121/06%20copy%202.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1121" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbl66W0CMBReUGutdUx2btl4hAKuT8Rnq5mTmxAm18WZNWF6npiIApkoXeeEwp_iYNY3tOXR7wAgj6Isn-v9segtxMWF8InlWfoRDmj1IuPgqzlQEpsJJJU6BAdumu587imiHaQ_Vk2oaJupsJHdxic9x-UzhGFTZy0o_Q27BwrTzYtFlutnI4hoQgJ8/s320/06%20copy%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Finally, even our old friend the Scarecrow suffers in <br />this drawing from <i>The House That Jack Built</i>. As with the other examples shown, the darker colors make Denslow's masterly line work difficult to see, and the entire image suffers in consequence.<div><br /></div><div>Donahue published editions of several other Denslow books, including The Wizard of Oz, all of which suffered in the print quality of the illustrations.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7jMkxoEHTFtR5yVkoLnvkbYBddOc103I6_XyhmqMUn2Z8KvOVLtUN_Ye-S50HO9O-i7XapBKMqDpbLjCPq2kzShhQZS1uWQMxKQbjClS5VSqs5H-0Y-wIILilPQezAnJXDgbbIqbod02-5TITBrhH2vC-gpXQZ9bmyAdUIz9GR_UieOXrfV82I8E6bQ/s1361/Toy%20Books.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1361" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7jMkxoEHTFtR5yVkoLnvkbYBddOc103I6_XyhmqMUn2Z8KvOVLtUN_Ye-S50HO9O-i7XapBKMqDpbLjCPq2kzShhQZS1uWQMxKQbjClS5VSqs5H-0Y-wIILilPQezAnJXDgbbIqbod02-5TITBrhH2vC-gpXQZ9bmyAdUIz9GR_UieOXrfV82I8E6bQ/w400-h254/Toy%20Books.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p></div>Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-33182115561706461782023-08-13T09:33:00.004-05:002023-08-16T18:03:53.230-05:00My Dear Mr. Neill (Part 3)<p><a href="https://theozenthusiast.blogspot.com/2022/08/my-dear-mr-neill.html" target="_blank">Click here for Part 1 of this article</a> </p><p><a href="https://theozenthusiast.blogspot.com/2023/08/my-dear-mr-neill-part-2.html" target="_blank">Click here for Part 2 of this article</a><br /></p><p>Marie Lufkin succeeded in commissioning a large Oz painting from John R. Neill, to hang over the fireplace in her new living room. At the same time, a second smaller commission was placed; Neill was to design a bookplate for the Lufkins.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRuhDhjqtQuDJ2aRZ2pr6lqo0vF30auNSoXWtu3zz8rebHYU30ROS6zXeGdK8MCqqx_zyCiEUh3qT6jTpnC3HyEIZMtj2gV2w7gOCTteuqIMY9vGFsIYPS3LAfrN_xwWIRiHyEPBzmK0-swlR2fJwmtb_A9zxFpmclWtoKlVZg2LoIH9oAuB8Pm9fVn4/s720/Bookplate%20Sketch%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="720" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRuhDhjqtQuDJ2aRZ2pr6lqo0vF30auNSoXWtu3zz8rebHYU30ROS6zXeGdK8MCqqx_zyCiEUh3qT6jTpnC3HyEIZMtj2gV2w7gOCTteuqIMY9vGFsIYPS3LAfrN_xwWIRiHyEPBzmK0-swlR2fJwmtb_A9zxFpmclWtoKlVZg2LoIH9oAuB8Pm9fVn4/s320/Bookplate%20Sketch%20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>On the back of one of the sketches for the fireplace painting is a rough pencil drawing for the bookplate design. The figures of the Scarecrow and Tin Man are shown carrying piles of perilously stacked books, which are starting to topple. There are a couple drafts of lettering for the inscription, and of course Marie had input on this design:</p><p><i> About the book plate. The only thing <u>is</u> that I would like it rectangular and to have the inscription "Marie and Elgood Lufkin - their book". Don't you think that that is sufficient? I don't think it is necessary to have "The Land of Oz" anyplace, do you, as that will be understood by the characters drawn -? However, you decide about that, as you know best, and I know that whatever you do will be perfect.</i></p><p>In a letter from November 4th, 1936, Marie thanked Neill for the finished fireplace painting, and went on to say:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWz-KvRxhiTMQ8NDoVF7l_sazcCms4sMX18k1CQVGKAI9CPnPP9EaMJBJhZ3_iq2ipiX-VyctNskCJ8NsSixCcg6vKF7XiaFXOa7F46PwIZ8cP4h4EKRflXd_7L5E1JU-5sEURTDauqkvNMStpOHDWqvPZCQGWKNsbHTzaTf10EDPUaQ45ncQaqolPbQ/s523/Scan.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="438" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWz-KvRxhiTMQ8NDoVF7l_sazcCms4sMX18k1CQVGKAI9CPnPP9EaMJBJhZ3_iq2ipiX-VyctNskCJ8NsSixCcg6vKF7XiaFXOa7F46PwIZ8cP4h4EKRflXd_7L5E1JU-5sEURTDauqkvNMStpOHDWqvPZCQGWKNsbHTzaTf10EDPUaQ45ncQaqolPbQ/w168-h200/Scan.jpeg" width="168" /></a></div><i>We love everything you have done for us and we appreciate your kindness and friendship more than I can ever tell you. </i><p></p><p><i>I am enclosing one of the finished bookplates. Aren't they keen? - We're crazy about them. </i> </p><p>The image on the finished bookplate is reversed from the sketch, with the characters enclosed in one of Neill’s fanciful and detail-filled borders. The cost of the drawing for this piece was $50.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXs07w20lLliyS3LDhNqUhGWrwKtoSZBOKZafvc1v1Q42EYoDNFKqQkfNN93tFXt30cpRRF2r2QaWOv7K4k5j0kyqdiZ0mgG3LOrDQs7LMcOEhZDrBq3MthjWJ1Fv6ARv7RCIhF00q_nr-iEf1xd0My5kWkkqI_jMIcikvQ1mOyLsVVqUhl74wIAGRiE/s584/02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="516" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXs07w20lLliyS3LDhNqUhGWrwKtoSZBOKZafvc1v1Q42EYoDNFKqQkfNN93tFXt30cpRRF2r2QaWOv7K4k5j0kyqdiZ0mgG3LOrDQs7LMcOEhZDrBq3MthjWJ1Fv6ARv7RCIhF00q_nr-iEf1xd0My5kWkkqI_jMIcikvQ1mOyLsVVqUhl74wIAGRiE/s320/02.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><br /></div></div>A couple years later Neill designed a holiday card for the couple, for the year 1939-1940. The artist drew a picture of the Lufkin's living room, complete with Oz painting over the fireplace, and Oz characters dancing before the fire. The fire itself has been colored red, by hand.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBU-PvjUkw6Rm4niGRMDgJYxxwI0E5tIHyCM4sfNwwcAfrBiNpD7SSP5kdt5tR5Ydt5Owzrv9_DM6qaIvnirw-io-SalaMDWvlW_o31GK0eNKzjSRndzXilFeeUt7EkCdyyVKELKwb94yjhvxPLvYQvV_m9lAebmORZBlhHvHSG7WZBm1KafH8Vngktk/s820/Christmas%20Card%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="639" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBU-PvjUkw6Rm4niGRMDgJYxxwI0E5tIHyCM4sfNwwcAfrBiNpD7SSP5kdt5tR5Ydt5Owzrv9_DM6qaIvnirw-io-SalaMDWvlW_o31GK0eNKzjSRndzXilFeeUt7EkCdyyVKELKwb94yjhvxPLvYQvV_m9lAebmORZBlhHvHSG7WZBm1KafH8Vngktk/w311-h400/Christmas%20Card%20.jpg" width="311" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MLwVjz18IYGu4YbnSC-LH-OIfXkOIfZyieApfdYAspcl45BjF0NG3Y4wgY5yyxMNCtNre6xjRvMfLsIqsrDQyFtrVAOjWs_okCHYM6FTsOmTCMVY3mhvLyb7-93rWrLZm3MTeO1Pro_7Rxkl1Au2oNopOXgl6rG-R_GIigcr_u27Jpi4rk95kwX8lyA/s793/Interior%20.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="607" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MLwVjz18IYGu4YbnSC-LH-OIfXkOIfZyieApfdYAspcl45BjF0NG3Y4wgY5yyxMNCtNre6xjRvMfLsIqsrDQyFtrVAOjWs_okCHYM6FTsOmTCMVY3mhvLyb7-93rWrLZm3MTeO1Pro_7Rxkl1Au2oNopOXgl6rG-R_GIigcr_u27Jpi4rk95kwX8lyA/w153-h200/Interior%20.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><br />The card is large, a full 8.5" x 11", and contains a holiday greeting hand-lettered by Neill. The artist was no stranger to designing holiday cards, as he had drawn his own family cards for a number of years <a href="http://theozenthusiast.blogspot.com/2015/12/merry-christmas-from-neill-family.html">(see post)</a>. This card was quite a change from the small Christmas note the Lufkins had sent to Neill the previous year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpx4E5baKlKVrjv6kJzI8rdsdXz5otCYdS4TjVRNNoeC1xnNQPe3il2Zz7-TLnZzov8ZVvUH6j54sIX857z_SNSvMu45i5BRIHXS9JWI9Mlqgc1Ig6e486A2eYGN8SLQwoCkK_oOPRbElKVGe7hMQnKgp2XtpfbokU3jJ3NaBGcLjykzHlVZDUUbObWc/s401/1938%20card%20.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpx4E5baKlKVrjv6kJzI8rdsdXz5otCYdS4TjVRNNoeC1xnNQPe3il2Zz7-TLnZzov8ZVvUH6j54sIX857z_SNSvMu45i5BRIHXS9JWI9Mlqgc1Ig6e486A2eYGN8SLQwoCkK_oOPRbElKVGe7hMQnKgp2XtpfbokU3jJ3NaBGcLjykzHlVZDUUbObWc/w158-h200/1938%20card%20.jpg" width="158" /></a></div>The Lufkins obtained a variety of other things from Neill over the years, including a second, smaller, original Oz painting. This was designed by the artist for an antique shop owned by Marie, appropriately called The Land of Oz Antique Shop. <div><br /></div><div>After Neill's death in 1943, Marie sent a letter of condolence to his widow:<br /><p></p><p><i>Dear Mrs. Neill:</i></p><p><i>I just heard of Mr. Neill's death this morning and I wanted to write you immediately to tell you how badly we feel for you and yours and the great loss his death will be to all.</i></p><p><i>I only met Mr Neill once, as you know, but I really feel that I knew him so well and I was very fond of him.</i></p><p><i>Elgood and I send you and your family our deepest sympathy and be assured that you will be constantly in our thoughts and prayers. </i></p><p><i>Always sincerely</i></p><p><i>Marie Murray Lufkin</i></p><p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAtyryyM7fEPOB2IlZLA0D112Jm6q-uvpGJH0MImqajSCbUxTO7mzPDaoZ6Cp3O03p8tYzn3J1cdUZkDDOipZfKs05A-YRngXPfGfYl0cnLqufZLkUAmopYTd87Io3mXp8ufeuUxrnPRxdziz71D-en07VyN0oBzcm-dmEFZdCkyXcOIw_zTwX-Q7G7c/s576/condolence.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="576" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAtyryyM7fEPOB2IlZLA0D112Jm6q-uvpGJH0MImqajSCbUxTO7mzPDaoZ6Cp3O03p8tYzn3J1cdUZkDDOipZfKs05A-YRngXPfGfYl0cnLqufZLkUAmopYTd87Io3mXp8ufeuUxrnPRxdziz71D-en07VyN0oBzcm-dmEFZdCkyXcOIw_zTwX-Q7G7c/s320/condolence.jpeg" width="320" /></a></i></div><p></p><p></p></div>Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-69848249261054008962023-08-07T11:02:00.007-05:002023-08-16T18:06:43.875-05:00My Dear Mr Neill (Part 2)<div class="separator"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://theozenthusiast.blogspot.com/2022/08/my-dear-mr-neill.html" target="_blank">Click here for Part 1 of this article.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">About a year ago I blogged about the start of the relationship between the Lufkin family and Oz illustrator John R. Neill. Letters from Marie Lufkin to the artist show the progress of the connection, and how the friendship resulted in the building of a unique collection of the artist's work.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu44k1cO_ip-0u_CiF0-_YTNc5OJsWIvh8HkQ1kT09k2eA4eyVOZaZgUSC7YdtQ4AE5TuxDAsd2Dl_rBVZKFn08okfrRSJ5qfQhXhxDkZhrgR_JTWriiUIZgxhN6khplX-tQDjsiPV0uGsEf8dM2Hz-WGI8nUwMW4ylUMi8X4r9UP8Zd1e8txV5fRrzuQ/s900/Small%20Sketch%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="900" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu44k1cO_ip-0u_CiF0-_YTNc5OJsWIvh8HkQ1kT09k2eA4eyVOZaZgUSC7YdtQ4AE5TuxDAsd2Dl_rBVZKFn08okfrRSJ5qfQhXhxDkZhrgR_JTWriiUIZgxhN6khplX-tQDjsiPV0uGsEf8dM2Hz-WGI8nUwMW4ylUMi8X4r9UP8Zd1e8txV5fRrzuQ/s320/Small%20Sketch%20.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Marie was persistent in applying to Neill for artwork, particularly for the watercolors used in <i>The Emerald City of Oz. </i>After learning that he didn’t actually own any of those pieces, she commissioned the illustrator to create a large new Oz painting. This was to hang over the
fireplace in the living room of the Connecticut farm that the Lufkins were renovating. I particularly
like this note from Marie, which was enclosed in a letter dated July 21st, 1936. It details her ideas for the design of the painting:</div></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><i></i><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ImxiUWL1rh-pBNY1yzTecxGEN8wHscE1OnDD4Q3E3ePzRakRBfD7MKNVRs7RgNcJEem-oOUsyfVi8P8zjBWzr1Py_uU5NqJi0NHEE0PP3nfVTQyZ7B4S7u6q1j0_wUBg_hxIMvfeolq5nkGA8j_Kzlv-scEbukQ0yhNW_95j3WBEAMZWysa5_fi_lHA/s495/Scan%20copy.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="420" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ImxiUWL1rh-pBNY1yzTecxGEN8wHscE1OnDD4Q3E3ePzRakRBfD7MKNVRs7RgNcJEem-oOUsyfVi8P8zjBWzr1Py_uU5NqJi0NHEE0PP3nfVTQyZ7B4S7u6q1j0_wUBg_hxIMvfeolq5nkGA8j_Kzlv-scEbukQ0yhNW_95j3WBEAMZWysa5_fi_lHA/w168-h198/Scan%20copy.jpg" width="168" /></a></div><i>I think the panel should have a border around. Don’t you?<br /></i><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i> </i><i>As you know my favorite characters are the Scarecrow, Pumpkinhead, the
Wizard, Dorothy, Ozma & Glinda, the Tin Woodman, Toto, the Cowardly
Lion & the Hungry Tiger, Tick-Tock. </i>(sic)</p><p style="text-align: left;">She was fairly comprehensive in her character list! <br /></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPzzPfdTIULCJlrJ1NQVR_lc56V2np2Gju798R1l9jHYtTEfJlecvOErnR_kpBVOvarkmTuiVTeJVPmy08NiNOulStIzS0_LK95Hmsy0J_FdPVt8bZISre5h2gFLeF2p5Ocfo17RQcpMbsBD3z96zm_qVmok_R5lw6ZWyY3fuswn2FRcKjolqDkS-/s4311/Scan%202.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4311" data-original-width="3744" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPzzPfdTIULCJlrJ1NQVR_lc56V2np2Gju798R1l9jHYtTEfJlecvOErnR_kpBVOvarkmTuiVTeJVPmy08NiNOulStIzS0_LK95Hmsy0J_FdPVt8bZISre5h2gFLeF2p5Ocfo17RQcpMbsBD3z96zm_qVmok_R5lw6ZWyY3fuswn2FRcKjolqDkS-/w174-h200/Scan%202.jpeg" width="174" /></a></div>The back of the page
also has a sketch showing the size for the painting, and indicating how
it would be placed above the fireplace. </div><p></p><p>The letter that was included with the note brings up the apparently embarrassing question of what the painting would cost:</p><p><i>It's a very ticklish subject Mr Neill, and I hate writing or talking about it, when you were such a wonder to say that you would do it - but I have to - How much money will it cost? Now it's out and I'm relieved - It's been worrying me for weeks how I could ask and I guess the simplest way is the best.</i></p><p>Once that ticklish question had been answered, the work began in earnest. A letter from August 14th reads:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglm7hoICtEfABeZAwQaprCz2uR4LSlB7nGNIYN17BQvjqX-Zh4yUVCnjwldSte8GXygpoOdjHAh6izsMh6QMRmXolzaFJpAqr1dBFKZtZGA40sv5xm63o-gILltlawt7i1wKayAv_Jofitu341CtpdPTf7Cabkgni3O3io8oNTmjbnHdvjo4vjn_Ae7sE/s525/Scan%201.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="440" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglm7hoICtEfABeZAwQaprCz2uR4LSlB7nGNIYN17BQvjqX-Zh4yUVCnjwldSte8GXygpoOdjHAh6izsMh6QMRmXolzaFJpAqr1dBFKZtZGA40sv5xm63o-gILltlawt7i1wKayAv_Jofitu341CtpdPTf7Cabkgni3O3io8oNTmjbnHdvjo4vjn_Ae7sE/w168-h200/Scan%201.jpeg" width="168" /></a></div><i>Dear Mr. Neill -</i><p></p><p><i>I loved talking to you the other night and was delighted to hear that you are really on your way with "our Oz painting" - It sounds gorgeous & El & I both loved your idea of the Cowardly Lion & the Hungry Tiger leading the procession - DO send me a sketch of it soon - I can hardly wait to see it!</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct1cxwHA_PqGc0K5V8oW3jIy78lCwpedCkWRN48n-EjXwiTcroe2RWLRwm-WXGNZ4WfnWox6vPaVMneCSOAf-RvpI2AP9nJ8duMaQHNbsciKTD7sPfrGcG291Tosp9DjNOZvIMb5_49e18_Gg8nnHQa-Qt7Bb5L0otKTjxFX8xNoghUv6wUh2I5EcvrQ/s900/Rough%20Sketch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="900" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct1cxwHA_PqGc0K5V8oW3jIy78lCwpedCkWRN48n-EjXwiTcroe2RWLRwm-WXGNZ4WfnWox6vPaVMneCSOAf-RvpI2AP9nJ8duMaQHNbsciKTD7sPfrGcG291Tosp9DjNOZvIMb5_49e18_Gg8nnHQa-Qt7Bb5L0otKTjxFX8xNoghUv6wUh2I5EcvrQ/s320/Rough%20Sketch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Neill created a number
of color sketches for this project, in various sizes and degrees of
finish. I have three early rough drafts, trying out layouts, character
placement and color schemes. Eventually a more finished piece was sent
to the Lufkins for their approval, and finally the actual painting was completed.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXReBElpqivwP4GqnLHHUQqx3vQxW8MzzOwu6c54b4gNoHxmkETH2ozCxkfpDCMseVNBf3rPUyryMOhW75LOrQVaaSDC2KKzCWhqLXjPmuqt1O7C7pfEngLmGVLP4KxVZlE7I-hcPbphmv6LLw5edE5bb_llkWZmnnSO6ZvZ8AbURXTWTQNR7avh0BWSw/s900/Medium%20Sketch%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="900" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXReBElpqivwP4GqnLHHUQqx3vQxW8MzzOwu6c54b4gNoHxmkETH2ozCxkfpDCMseVNBf3rPUyryMOhW75LOrQVaaSDC2KKzCWhqLXjPmuqt1O7C7pfEngLmGVLP4KxVZlE7I-hcPbphmv6LLw5edE5bb_llkWZmnnSO6ZvZ8AbURXTWTQNR7avh0BWSw/s320/Medium%20Sketch%20.jpg" width="320" /><i></i></a></div></div><div><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="465" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8DoorD1jT7TA5FJUPfTEK-OWYO_FO8ML_wz9gMpx7OH4xf4Zyngo8ZUBYqEGpf5tegexn-ArBWEW2SqMk8pS9noeBH87xKnP_6HE8FfqAWRoJR91nQU2M24l_qFuMY3f4uKO1wY_FTh8GhOtgeG4KbBStORe68o0g7oE7kQC2TF4GqhUr4LX_HjbX/w186-h200/Shipping%20Bill%20crop.jpeg" width="186" /> </div>The finished artwork was shipped on October 10th, 1936. The shipping bill reveals the answer to Marie Lufkin's "ticklish question"; a value of $150 is listed for the final painting. </div><div> </div><div>Marie was thrilled with the piece and in a letter dated November 4th, 1936<i> </i>she thanks Neill for the painting:</div><div><br /></div><div><i>The painting is just <u>too</u> perfect and <u>makes</u> the living room. We are going to put a very light yellow wash on the walls - How do you think that sounds</i>? <i>Also Venetian blinds & I have not decided on the chintz - It sounds finished doesn’t it? Well it is, in my mind, but you should see the room actually! At the present moment there is a buzz saw going at top speed. Shavings all over the floor & carpenters banging away.</i></div><div><i> </i></div><div><i> </i>She also says:</div><div><p><i><u>Of course</u>
I wanted you to send me a bill, and I want to thank you for being so
generous and thoughtful with your work. As soon as our addition is
finished Elgood and I want you and Mrs. Neill to come up for a night.
You would wouldn't you? We're not a bit <u>sporty</u> as you know, so you wouldn't have to do anything you didn't want to and we'd love to have you both.</i></p>It doesn’t appear that Neill ever did make it up to the farm. I believe Marie only met him in person once.</div><div><br /></div><div>When the house was sold in later years, the painting was removed by the
family and preserved. A page from the prospectus for the house sale
shows the living room, with the Oz panel still in its original location
(image courtesy of Brady Schwind).</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80lT9goz35f9UXLjpaxe8aoQ8GGZKI_dG5ZkRqqdYQWSo1h8dxGpRc39swppxU61GfdClWtdoWp8i9l8nWqVIyDYr9gsscijHIAPl3iMT9QMfh6gL4-AjfOhpo6pEkr-LQOysWE7fyBhFAreICPkfeBq-J-hCtYLowth927X7Zb2hGL6HMFhw7xayQeA/s935/Mural.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="935" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80lT9goz35f9UXLjpaxe8aoQ8GGZKI_dG5ZkRqqdYQWSo1h8dxGpRc39swppxU61GfdClWtdoWp8i9l8nWqVIyDYr9gsscijHIAPl3iMT9QMfh6gL4-AjfOhpo6pEkr-LQOysWE7fyBhFAreICPkfeBq-J-hCtYLowth927X7Zb2hGL6HMFhw7xayQeA/s320/Mural.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://theozenthusiast.blogspot.com/2023/08/my-dear-mr-neill-part-3.html" target="_blank">Click here for Part 3 of this article. </a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-3062885732341188772023-07-10T11:55:00.002-05:002023-07-10T11:55:58.840-05:00Italian Oz <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUafHXs5mx3cQdwKszu2Ddzouc9_VqrQlGxWXZXhL7OQygh4v43_JeJ_0sfWBXtlgB506s0aVPs_NtjLOUkOxVwS2COX_24VvRl4sP3tU7KsNUQ4LYrVO06eEV_NWiVn933G7_Sq_3i5SKODIHc0iVmgSWWqJ3lDHHJspI1iKfqCIKzCXvEoMZnY5seQc/s1440/Italian%20Pair%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="1440" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUafHXs5mx3cQdwKszu2Ddzouc9_VqrQlGxWXZXhL7OQygh4v43_JeJ_0sfWBXtlgB506s0aVPs_NtjLOUkOxVwS2COX_24VvRl4sP3tU7KsNUQ4LYrVO06eEV_NWiVn933G7_Sq_3i5SKODIHc0iVmgSWWqJ3lDHHJspI1iKfqCIKzCXvEoMZnY5seQc/w400-h251/Italian%20Pair%20copy.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDPuQwVMQSxGkNpAJeTKzjbswiHzkRb_xsJmO2AsyM4LMguqwAvs_neBFox1WKEzyi7xvOfMezuOELRwr19g1m3PXyov7lbq2w5hm9iYgCKOlgyCPelIBz92ZPUS0yJ8uuH-ElA5s8jsFeE0lYie9_D72N4XCvxZnjKLegBkRI9KfTlWlkH4fBnFLmF4/s1080/Land%20Size.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="1080" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDPuQwVMQSxGkNpAJeTKzjbswiHzkRb_xsJmO2AsyM4LMguqwAvs_neBFox1WKEzyi7xvOfMezuOELRwr19g1m3PXyov7lbq2w5hm9iYgCKOlgyCPelIBz92ZPUS0yJ8uuH-ElA5s8jsFeE0lYie9_D72N4XCvxZnjKLegBkRI9KfTlWlkH4fBnFLmF4/w200-h138/Land%20Size.jpeg" width="200" /></a>As
a collector, I really haven’t branched into the large field of foreign
editions of the Oz books. But there are a few examples that I haven’t
been able to resist. A couple weeks ago I featured two early British editions;
here are two Italian versions of Oz tales, published around the time of
the release of the MGM film. These are oversized volumes, larger than
the American versions of the stories. They are charming books with
lovely line illustrations printed in two colors, as well as full color
plates, by Miki Ferro Pelizzari.<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIqmeii2W5exDnfGf1ZiLNmV4DfDLmNR3ePCDfvJdzHjINSH0hJUpgPwAGmXJuHR3Ks790saCegZ9CVswFUkc_U8tbVsSbMNRQy-3GmgkOv6j4IOTEDltt3j7_o2WZc2daMMGJ53f7RPFFwVdoSER9B_RSTMtyvzJOM7MwuGM4FOTxfeTeeQL555aeAs/s1080/Wizard%20Endpapers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="1080" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIqmeii2W5exDnfGf1ZiLNmV4DfDLmNR3ePCDfvJdzHjINSH0hJUpgPwAGmXJuHR3Ks790saCegZ9CVswFUkc_U8tbVsSbMNRQy-3GmgkOv6j4IOTEDltt3j7_o2WZc2daMMGJ53f7RPFFwVdoSER9B_RSTMtyvzJOM7MwuGM4FOTxfeTeeQL555aeAs/w320-h218/Wizard%20Endpapers.jpg" width="320" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="1440" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7AMsGUhyNGvTvcSnpq3KLvdFQuQjX9r5N4oUxcABZ12AC-HWcGkyNl3QHOYEyXigW2WPk_O8P9HNIejvNULlnv6ePXkUsDphlq1sSO19w8C6H_QbZ_lpcARNUH9vh7ElPP3IyuNEt4FIFo4rnIQCchS2xaXSJMxW3j_EWt0vjug75XYajHcESgl5BPg/w400-h183/Wizard%20Color%20Plates.jpg" width="400" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">These examples are the first two titles in the series, </span><i style="text-align: left;">The Wizard of Oz</i><span style="text-align: left;"> and </span><i style="text-align: left;">The Land of Oz</i><span style="text-align: left;">. This copy of the </span><i style="text-align: left;">Wizard</i><span style="text-align: left;"> is a later printing with a cloth spine. The original printing was issued with a paper spine, like that seen on the copy of </span><i style="text-align: left;">Land</i><span style="text-align: left;">. I’ve mentioned my dislike of fragile paper spines in the past….</span></div></div></div></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVSeP0NoMx9grOKg54EDdtDAOk-ogJljJSIHlvXynxiA2uCBpEhWjYrKYzQVKcqkgeL3D5vqXqV39Ie8syZQ41zZ1cvBnGz2knul5wgXYtR5U-YyT2i1i5T8GBU_NzYC0edHo8pgrDfoztrHZE8IgnugW1Ox6v99sYVEx8zaRbehLdEbw9sXL-6OrxvM/s1080/Land%20Endpapers.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="1080" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVSeP0NoMx9grOKg54EDdtDAOk-ogJljJSIHlvXynxiA2uCBpEhWjYrKYzQVKcqkgeL3D5vqXqV39Ie8syZQ41zZ1cvBnGz2knul5wgXYtR5U-YyT2i1i5T8GBU_NzYC0edHo8pgrDfoztrHZE8IgnugW1Ox6v99sYVEx8zaRbehLdEbw9sXL-6OrxvM/s320/Land%20Endpapers.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="1440" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2Haf78qpZVEhewiSl9hxF6iA-qtFfE7jus-USMue8t313QF7jLU1LAanI9bIaTOShTl-Sv0CPNn-0hZ8xKVzn-kj7Nub8zuBRQxLhDA7rmFjtLtAHrFttkom3vMsNyJEcfWQoELVUtJDcdRJhwDi3tsW5pcl_VlBKil7BEkXzTTf58uMLOWRHIA0pug/w400-h183/Land%20Color%20Plates.jpg" width="400" /> </div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGx67X3gHla3lWXI2uQZDRplVz9DmUOHLbXffRIVPNTWlYbT_S9NnZPSwmWH1O0uRKfu4tsZVbqVTCs2XyJfEBR9zJuZbMMUt9FdzAtG7vfNVZJGezU7JK2s4hJgoqO-80p-aGi_5rrYB9Al8Z3K88Yqk3LkGEizBHO08cgSOKB6gAcOlLq-lsbv05TE/s720/Land%20Skittles.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="478" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGx67X3gHla3lWXI2uQZDRplVz9DmUOHLbXffRIVPNTWlYbT_S9NnZPSwmWH1O0uRKfu4tsZVbqVTCs2XyJfEBR9zJuZbMMUt9FdzAtG7vfNVZJGezU7JK2s4hJgoqO-80p-aGi_5rrYB9Al8Z3K88Yqk3LkGEizBHO08cgSOKB6gAcOlLq-lsbv05TE/w133-h200/Land%20Skittles.jpeg" width="133" /></a></div>A fun detail in this Italian version of <i>Land of Oz</i>, pointed out to me by
Atticus Gannaway, occurs after Jack Pumpkinhead and the Scarecrow meet.
Rather than adjourning to the courtyard to play quoits, as in the
original book, they play skittles! I knew it was a good game for Oz (see
http://theozenthusiast.blogspot.com/2022/11/anyone-for-skittles.html ).</div><div> </div>Five
of the original six titles were published in this series. For some
reason, the publishers decided to skip <i>Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz</i>! Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-3580717988938523102023-07-03T12:50:00.001-05:002023-07-03T13:08:09.132-05:00Shirley Temple Land<p></p>Here’s a pair of fun items I recently picked up; two costume designs from the Shirley Temple television production of <i>The Land of Oz</i>.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0PG3hReoYaItn1QkUBWnZoflRhiiOqLg3bhJPP26nJQ4QkG9WP8WvfPw5czRWwcfw9I8NJwPGbbiAgwDbWljKmczYQ5kOYwBtymlTn0OQcXQBmQK54MbzroN3uh8gmtRDUDbSXy_36-NMClTEYouC3ETwWoFIJ0zk5om2eDgpm7h46k_puEdUlxpwYE/s1080/Costume%20Pair.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1080" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0PG3hReoYaItn1QkUBWnZoflRhiiOqLg3bhJPP26nJQ4QkG9WP8WvfPw5czRWwcfw9I8NJwPGbbiAgwDbWljKmczYQ5kOYwBtymlTn0OQcXQBmQK54MbzroN3uh8gmtRDUDbSXy_36-NMClTEYouC3ETwWoFIJ0zk5om2eDgpm7h46k_puEdUlxpwYE/w400-h246/Costume%20Pair.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Shirley Temple had a long association with Oz; as a child, she was a fan of the book series. When MGM made the 1939 film version of <i>The Wizard of Oz</i>, it was rumored that Shirley was to be lent to the studio to star as Dorothy. Of course this didn’t happen, but in 1960 the <i>Shirley Temple Show</i> produced a version of <i>The Land of Oz </i>on NBC TV,<i> </i>starring Shirley as Tip/Ozma. <p></p><p>The show is a loose adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s second Oz book, and one of the few examples of a presentation of a later Oz story. Jonathan Winters played Lord Nikidik, one of the villains of the piece, and these are designs for his two costumes. Fabric samples for each outfit are still attached to the drawings.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcg3kWQtmH9Vl32w7GQE-uymEM8lRGRwZlJhwScZa6d_DI2v0ARPWkS5nRqjiEe2uKPZkOm9tvIz_K2CLR7YXXmtkldCItvGcOkeapZVSVV80vIz6GTG4teritQwGks8YXyA2ahCgfHfnC45OuxAVcPY1knI5yU0FW5EmPDIKEtx1Gh77rhGITgTvFHVQ/s932/Suit%20Pair.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="932" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcg3kWQtmH9Vl32w7GQE-uymEM8lRGRwZlJhwScZa6d_DI2v0ARPWkS5nRqjiEe2uKPZkOm9tvIz_K2CLR7YXXmtkldCItvGcOkeapZVSVV80vIz6GTG4teritQwGks8YXyA2ahCgfHfnC45OuxAVcPY1knI5yU0FW5EmPDIKEtx1Gh77rhGITgTvFHVQ/w200-h154/Suit%20Pair.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The first drawing shows the suit worn by Jonathan Winters as Lord Nikidik at the opening of the story; the drawing bears the notation Radiant Violet - perhaps a name for the outfit? I've attached a couple rather blurry screen captures of the final costume in use. Agnes Moorehead, as the witch Mombi, is also shown. Apparently her performance in this role led to her playing another witch a few years later, Endora on <i>Bewitched</i>.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9w3SLvPYix0EqAWFKZeStzAXhoVkZpwpUHlUhluU6cdVKIMO1lYDGN8yC9kHN9Z-vLuimS_vWgwkW0cEwaEGZlelogLNoSgocsZ--C7gLDD6W-28F_ynJSNLwUxzBLtmC9IvxtQjDKX5-kdK1LbtPMG16NWp1R4S6VxGyF3dpb11lFmralmcOfs_nzE/s856/Uniform%20Pair.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="856" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9w3SLvPYix0EqAWFKZeStzAXhoVkZpwpUHlUhluU6cdVKIMO1lYDGN8yC9kHN9Z-vLuimS_vWgwkW0cEwaEGZlelogLNoSgocsZ--C7gLDD6W-28F_ynJSNLwUxzBLtmC9IvxtQjDKX5-kdK1LbtPMG16NWp1R4S6VxGyF3dpb11lFmralmcOfs_nzE/w200-h168/Uniform%20Pair.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> The second design is for the uniform worn when Lord Nikidik tries to overthrow the Emerald City; this one is noted Potent Purple. The fabrics for the coat and pants that are attached to the drawing are both white, with a note that they are to be dyed to match a different fabric swatch.<p></p><p>The costumes were designed by Robert (or Bob) Carlton, who did quite a
bit of television costume work from the 1950’s into the 1980’s.<br /><br /></p><p></p>Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-9045780944971355042023-06-25T17:35:00.000-05:002023-06-25T17:35:06.459-05:00Early British Wizards<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3oK-qCCiFb6Hsg477BcFFiJ3zsNmMhCeoxzB2_cQNgzloEZjBa2M7bRriqgKwSn_8LrJ_jZMLinN_I449Dq4PytdEW73qU6BFTXZAJ_l0vbnHrUnu3oi2f5IBIx6PXc3r3O7C2CQQFJkDy4KHWoCBiDTln0wHP4m7yXA25_LcwrqB0PgoLGLbFAtuwY/s768/1906.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="615" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3oK-qCCiFb6Hsg477BcFFiJ3zsNmMhCeoxzB2_cQNgzloEZjBa2M7bRriqgKwSn_8LrJ_jZMLinN_I449Dq4PytdEW73qU6BFTXZAJ_l0vbnHrUnu3oi2f5IBIx6PXc3r3O7C2CQQFJkDy4KHWoCBiDTln0wHP4m7yXA25_LcwrqB0PgoLGLbFAtuwY/s320/1906.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><i>The Wonderful Wizard of Oz</i> was first published in 1900 with great success, and around 1906 the first commercial British edition of the book appeared. Although this version was published by Hodder & Stoughton in England, it is essentially the same as the American Bobbs-Merrill edition from the same period, featuring W. W. Denslow’s two-color text illustrations and 16 color plates. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnl7iw2RhnlQPs3_IwYlQDqpy8rDha0bWiqtAJKAVZrGQBoJxLccyHP2GSPQX6B413jWgT5S_ZRve45c8AyZRyCe_q-lud0k92J-pPD2vOBG6nOIgkEWj_zy5EB3j0hzCFpKJhalIHXqHZ34GEOsIQRRfaVWgEoNb2Ey4b0nPlKyiLpOev8XhEUxFqT-I/s864/1906%20title%20page%20copy.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="641" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnl7iw2RhnlQPs3_IwYlQDqpy8rDha0bWiqtAJKAVZrGQBoJxLccyHP2GSPQX6B413jWgT5S_ZRve45c8AyZRyCe_q-lud0k92J-pPD2vOBG6nOIgkEWj_zy5EB3j0hzCFpKJhalIHXqHZ34GEOsIQRRfaVWgEoNb2Ey4b0nPlKyiLpOev8XhEUxFqT-I/w148-h200/1906%20title%20page%20copy.jpeg" width="148" /></a></div>But the cover colors are different, making a lighter and brighter book, which seems more appealing for a children’s story. Instead of deep olive green cloth stamped in black and orange, the British edition is bound in a lighter green textured cloth, and stamped in peach, black and dark green. The size of the book is also just a touch larger.<p></p><p>The title page shows both the Bobbs-Merrill imprint, which is part of the hand-lettered artwork, and an additional Hodder & Stoughton identification. Relatively few copies have turned up over the years, making me wonder how much of a success this book was with the Brits!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhdlXYxGGCAjpO531PjK65EgQsKfw4WczCeN5oWPQQoy5xb1sIVUJLhjoM-LeNsr21Sd2ajXaF37SCXniZRsoMg3NHh1LDWIpAMtmvFWFgL4Lpau2oyjOSMxlnXANxLTlY_45n1lCyGehiXmTmyY8u4TEzSzgqtzholxR9yGABKrsmmdZ-azGVbaj0dE/s587/1926.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="478" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhdlXYxGGCAjpO531PjK65EgQsKfw4WczCeN5oWPQQoy5xb1sIVUJLhjoM-LeNsr21Sd2ajXaF37SCXniZRsoMg3NHh1LDWIpAMtmvFWFgL4Lpau2oyjOSMxlnXANxLTlY_45n1lCyGehiXmTmyY8u4TEzSzgqtzholxR9yGABKrsmmdZ-azGVbaj0dE/s320/1926.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><p>Around 1926 another edition was published, this time by Hutchinson & Co. As before, the book has the general appearance of the contemporary Bobbs-Merrill version; but it’s a much smaller book.</p><p>It’s almost a miniature, being only 5” x 7”, with far fewer of Denslow’s illustrations and no color plates. Perhaps this was done as a tie-in to the Larry Semon film version of the story, which was released in 1925. Semon was quite popular in Europe, particularly in France.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0H9pTOugDeQri691JJX6Uuh_S5mdK3udNdTEUBYEshUdal-wfOKG6MUf9hSP3EZW8jbvpifiK_4xc6EdnqVwZka2YmU0nssav8ntvopEJTqZaJBJSeE8xLIe_AQYCItpStDaOS_n7vzNFG8neO3sfxYnE3yVtLw6XP4SxkrjABRnAed_7HInHA6blWI/s864/1926%20title%20page%20copy.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="617" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0H9pTOugDeQri691JJX6Uuh_S5mdK3udNdTEUBYEshUdal-wfOKG6MUf9hSP3EZW8jbvpifiK_4xc6EdnqVwZka2YmU0nssav8ntvopEJTqZaJBJSeE8xLIe_AQYCItpStDaOS_n7vzNFG8neO3sfxYnE3yVtLw6XP4SxkrjABRnAed_7HInHA6blWI/w143-h200/1926%20title%20page%20copy.jpeg" width="143" /></a> The rather plain title page is printed in two colors, and lists Hutchinson & Co. as publishers. Hutchinson would go on to print later editions of the book, including the more elaborate version published to tie in with the release of the MGM film in England.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCTvFlRlurDyZJE3X__UwCGzouwqcyxJJ8WYXN9GZwGapncUWvRLOxqYm12aXfnhfTtjtyqTmvV2j7UGn8TyCiijkfl37x9pi6s1q5mfYgrkzWB05fJUI52LOxuDROodPhBWL-JEJSTJagfcgnpc7jkd_XZLr9ZqLV_IuZYiZp10uuy0wt6L6YTetnLY/s4405/pair.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3138" data-original-width="4405" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCTvFlRlurDyZJE3X__UwCGzouwqcyxJJ8WYXN9GZwGapncUWvRLOxqYm12aXfnhfTtjtyqTmvV2j7UGn8TyCiijkfl37x9pi6s1q5mfYgrkzWB05fJUI52LOxuDROodPhBWL-JEJSTJagfcgnpc7jkd_XZLr9ZqLV_IuZYiZp10uuy0wt6L6YTetnLY/s320/pair.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-85695961128192645862023-03-27T10:44:00.003-05:002023-03-27T10:44:20.786-05:00More Macaronis<p> Last summer I posted some <a href="http://theozenthusiast.blogspot.com/2022/06/macaronis.html" target="_blank">postcards</a>, from John R. Neill’s series of comical drawings titled <i>Life Among the Macaronis</i>. Since then I’ve picked up two additional cards in the set.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzc-_T7xTTchdn4FXp-xQ14uFCR0JP5s1Lw_vRMIUD6XJz04rkrI3MZPOMclS4LUnhIWHl0ZnJY9JvV9-fR8LgnrGdYkTIm7zgLFFN_m6fnzt1CPA_4FQIUAEo9uqNrQ0nU3uILOFl0HVHkxrOcaVfSw0ulIuTb3e4gq9YEDaREcmozWElMnfKoPev/s686/Scandal.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="471" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzc-_T7xTTchdn4FXp-xQ14uFCR0JP5s1Lw_vRMIUD6XJz04rkrI3MZPOMclS4LUnhIWHl0ZnJY9JvV9-fR8LgnrGdYkTIm7zgLFFN_m6fnzt1CPA_4FQIUAEo9uqNrQ0nU3uILOFl0HVHkxrOcaVfSw0ulIuTb3e4gq9YEDaREcmozWElMnfKoPev/s320/Scandal.jpg" width="220" /></a></div></div><i>A Scandal in High Life</i> is an image I've seen before. A dapper Macaroni is shocked to read in the paper that his grandfather was a draper! An added feature of this card is the verse, written by Neill, that tells the story explaining the gentleman's shocked expression; the other cards in the series just have titles. The series of golfing cards I previously posted all used cropped images, and this card has also been cropped from the original 1904 Sunday Magazine page.<p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0w1uZXY6-kfJFcBl3Rl_SZkfAP3w7cI9EzT_gXkLCFl7sgNLlD41h4wvOyynRnnG3hVYg7F9g-Lzu2ekS-ucCosirF9FpLjMRt4bf2F2GPGI2DLm0NVCb_UbE7MERfqtkvyR2w9RBs84Pathf4lZrbFa78NAHj-BMDS_GezU4jGrI_pzjYCDVWh2/s686/In%20the%20Studio%20.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="461" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0w1uZXY6-kfJFcBl3Rl_SZkfAP3w7cI9EzT_gXkLCFl7sgNLlD41h4wvOyynRnnG3hVYg7F9g-Lzu2ekS-ucCosirF9FpLjMRt4bf2F2GPGI2DLm0NVCb_UbE7MERfqtkvyR2w9RBs84Pathf4lZrbFa78NAHj-BMDS_GezU4jGrI_pzjYCDVWh2/s320/In%20the%20Studio%20.jpg" width="215" /></a></p><p><i style="font-style: italic;">In the Studio</i> is a card I haven't run across before. Here we have an artist working away at his easel, painting a cat. But the poor animal has been completely trussed to the stool it sits upon, to prevent escape! Two gentlemen observe the painting process. This drawing includes typical Neill touches in the elaborate wine bottles and small glass. I would assume that this has also been cropped from a larger drawing.<br /></p><p>This brings the total so far to five cards in this series. I don’t know if this is the entire set, or if there are more waiting to be discovered!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sRzNKAuuncfEUeLyYP3XHgANGsDmqpYpWBHyyQH54Tqw7WcjBgWJV2H8EanxfJXyVZa_5z4NKHbDFbnTyYc2f6XhbYXG1LKSEBP7Hp5IN1TwylV9ILCnc64A3nEgkV6BXdVGYYvgRJLy2q33v6xHVnjoAbos4T5xqF2QdFCNEd2jBKxGX0tEDzOD/s1500/Postcard%20Group.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1322" data-original-width="1500" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sRzNKAuuncfEUeLyYP3XHgANGsDmqpYpWBHyyQH54Tqw7WcjBgWJV2H8EanxfJXyVZa_5z4NKHbDFbnTyYc2f6XhbYXG1LKSEBP7Hp5IN1TwylV9ILCnc64A3nEgkV6BXdVGYYvgRJLy2q33v6xHVnjoAbos4T5xqF2QdFCNEd2jBKxGX0tEDzOD/w400-h353/Postcard%20Group.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-30511275584230231272023-03-12T18:59:00.022-05:002023-03-12T23:37:18.750-05:00Wogglebugs<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_1Vict30GGDCseD0sV5dYJBMlGADeuwuFkwZtvatnQMsq5TvsJsTY5z93c1N5TMTkv7YGSPvAInWeY8K1_lvLRTbGX3E3rzdoL-_iCIwJKYda0xRjw8WdbrSskVEjxozXN511O4lQcxSYOLugZ710bRNUPcSSEq9S2rsuqJ8Y9aYfgMOZadXEFnr/s1080/Bugs3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="1080" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_1Vict30GGDCseD0sV5dYJBMlGADeuwuFkwZtvatnQMsq5TvsJsTY5z93c1N5TMTkv7YGSPvAInWeY8K1_lvLRTbGX3E3rzdoL-_iCIwJKYda0xRjw8WdbrSskVEjxozXN511O4lQcxSYOLugZ710bRNUPcSSEq9S2rsuqJ8Y9aYfgMOZadXEFnr/s320/Bugs3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i>The Wogglebug Book</i> is one of L. Frank Baum’s rarer and lesser known efforts. The 1905 book is controversial today due to examples of stereotypical ethnic humor, which was popular at the time. As is often the case, some of the illustrations provide as much offense as the language. However, the story is typical of Baum nonsense, with the title character falling in love with a wildly patterned fabric, and his various attempts to secure it for his own.<br /></div></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKXcIfn6lyfm-VSLWPxnwDq2Nz1OhLMeuTpd7_9k7-k9mzF136iVZtbTItUGfFIIse9A3lSmx1Jh7BsvZtqeSYbTRWyN_j0zYnVvy5wDjwQeQrNe_wZgM8o6RJStQqIcU4aZoozC55vq_PfP5IHkF6_UahzEEJk6mut1tRUg1QHtNEaVmaMgEV-Pu/s720/IMG_8922.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="520" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKXcIfn6lyfm-VSLWPxnwDq2Nz1OhLMeuTpd7_9k7-k9mzF136iVZtbTItUGfFIIse9A3lSmx1Jh7BsvZtqeSYbTRWyN_j0zYnVvy5wDjwQeQrNe_wZgM8o6RJStQqIcU4aZoozC55vq_PfP5IHkF6_UahzEEJk6mut1tRUg1QHtNEaVmaMgEV-Pu/s320/IMG_8922.jpeg" width="231" /></a></div>The Wogglebug was introduced in the second Oz book, <i>The Marvelous Land of Oz</i>, and Baum was clearly fond of the character. The insect is highly magnified and thoroughly educated, which gives him the stature of a man as well as a liking for long words, and a distressing fondness for bad puns. He became the title character in Baum’s attempt to stage the second Oz book, as <i>The Wogglebug</i>. However, the production did not achieve the success of <i>The Wizard of Oz</i> on stage, and faded into obscurity.<p></p><p>The character's activity in the book series is rather limited after this point. As the founder of the College of Art and Athletic Perfection, he presides as Professor Wogglebug. Learning is achieved through the use of school pills, which leaves the students free to concentrate on athletics. Perhaps his debacle on the stage cooled Baum’s enthusiasm for the big insect!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QfOkt5HJBjuXWFlpwo7qpOed7lgCo2YjHce52BcJABY2CwxQ3n5C7hV3rtNgAQpiU2If7e9MSTXhhN3UPd7yqTxcdpDlgzRRkmj-AKJg3PyN6rEAeCbPwPIxkjEWf5XAxkhyRI8iM6WaoitYYRxwcb6WIbwvlXhxSiU0_72lEniaOFeh9gAZJdko/s1080/12:11:04%20copy%202.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="822" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QfOkt5HJBjuXWFlpwo7qpOed7lgCo2YjHce52BcJABY2CwxQ3n5C7hV3rtNgAQpiU2If7e9MSTXhhN3UPd7yqTxcdpDlgzRRkmj-AKJg3PyN6rEAeCbPwPIxkjEWf5XAxkhyRI8iM6WaoitYYRxwcb6WIbwvlXhxSiU0_72lEniaOFeh9gAZJdko/s320/12:11:04%20copy%202.JPG" width="244" /></a></div>This book was an adjunct to Baum’s 1904 - 1905 <i>Queer Visitors from the Marvelous Land of Oz</i> comic page. In a twist on the formula of Americans visiting Oz, in the comic page the Oz inhabitants come to America. <i>The Wogglebug Book</i> continues this theme, with the oversized bug living in a large American city.<p></p><p>In spite of its defects, the large book is quite decorative and illustrated in full color on every page. The drawings were by Ike Morgan, who had previously provided some illustrations for Baum’s earlier title <i>American Fairy Tales</i>. At one time Morgan shared a studio with W. W. Denslow, and there are some similarities in the style of their work. Although the illustrations are printed in color, the original drawings are plain pen & ink. Color was added by the printers, based on indications by the artist. The drawing below still has its original overlay, to help with color placement.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfLdNPlVcrP8Vrd98pHSgUFZGklgQSIpcf49F-YHmA7ZCa7xmh3eHx_6oHWAx5bcArFL_eRqIDLSLU3C9ab-Bo1jk0ZIstyGi6xERldkwZ0a2xJGm9lb9nk-1lgl7MIc8dsoFpJRFj7-N75radRbs1vVz-HBTic6Gf2mViGL7yWE4fuJ3D8b1FNiX/s2280/Bug%20Pages.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="2280" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfLdNPlVcrP8Vrd98pHSgUFZGklgQSIpcf49F-YHmA7ZCa7xmh3eHx_6oHWAx5bcArFL_eRqIDLSLU3C9ab-Bo1jk0ZIstyGi6xERldkwZ0a2xJGm9lb9nk-1lgl7MIc8dsoFpJRFj7-N75radRbs1vVz-HBTic6Gf2mViGL7yWE4fuJ3D8b1FNiX/w400-h195/Bug%20Pages.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>There were two distinct bindings; the first has a green tone to the background of the front cover, and the second is a pale yellow. It’s interesting to note that the blue ink used on the first binding is brighter than that used on the second. This provides much brighter green accents on the Wogglebug’s coat, and a more colorful image.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfCs9f5mGzOg1pArifCGLACqrpbBf1WApDlX0DG7TS4PLya_URm2LMo7J5GJsDNj7zDd5ifjQWPVlv7xwZVE4xu7wskjLgF-xDNvs_VcI4Whpbt_i8e257Y45ZABtCArDwZ5L2nElFP4GmVMNKRT4K_M1SHyWlUbvsrOSnLC29M1ig1BCtcMEqVMN/s1080/Bugs%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1080" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfCs9f5mGzOg1pArifCGLACqrpbBf1WApDlX0DG7TS4PLya_URm2LMo7J5GJsDNj7zDd5ifjQWPVlv7xwZVE4xu7wskjLgF-xDNvs_VcI4Whpbt_i8e257Y45ZABtCArDwZ5L2nElFP4GmVMNKRT4K_M1SHyWlUbvsrOSnLC29M1ig1BCtcMEqVMN/w400-h285/Bugs%20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I blogged about my dislike of paper spines on books a couple weeks ago. This book has a fabric spine, but the covers are stiff paperboard - which, combined with the large format of the book, makes it very prone to deterioration. Most copies found today have covers that have suffered damage in the form of bends, tears, missing chunks and broken corners. Consequently, many have been repaired, as have the two copies shown above.</p><p></p>Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-41271039680694368702023-03-05T11:25:00.002-06:002023-03-05T23:19:44.324-06:00Another Ozzy Postcard<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hXbB_TqavEvu_0ovmIN9X0qOGGjeqqV3fRiEldmBjHJGrMBIjgDrhcMKuGHsdzCGymoQRnPNV8tNlgkOeb63kpHVicJCM5eBqOvl5syCzDS3x2H018fjYoaK3lyFU2A992KJCkjWzIrzLRyWYrruswkMXnFT-SYg2oa8k6KsWo4gH0oORup54_Tb/s2167/1908%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2167" data-original-width="1787" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hXbB_TqavEvu_0ovmIN9X0qOGGjeqqV3fRiEldmBjHJGrMBIjgDrhcMKuGHsdzCGymoQRnPNV8tNlgkOeb63kpHVicJCM5eBqOvl5syCzDS3x2H018fjYoaK3lyFU2A992KJCkjWzIrzLRyWYrruswkMXnFT-SYg2oa8k6KsWo4gH0oORup54_Tb/w330-h400/1908%20copy.jpg" width="330" /></a></div>Here's another postcard relating to the stage producion of<i> The Wizard of Oz, </i>complete with a little portrait of the Scarecrow! This time it's from an actor, on the road with the show. Harry is writing to Helen to let her know he has arrived in Harrisburg, PA, and will be going on as Sir Wiley Gyle in that evening's performance. He has a good opinion of his ability in the role - and hopes others will as well!<p></p><p> He mentions having finished <i>The Yoke</i> "which they say took three weeks to write". There were two books of this title at that time - one, by Elizabeth Miller, was a pseudo-historical religious romance, and the other, by Hubert Wales, a scandalous novel of syphillis and free love. I wonder which one he read!<br /></p><p>This dates from August 24th, 1908, after Hurtig and Seamon took over the <i>Wizard</i> stage production. I'm not sure who Harry is, as I haven't seen a cast list for these later productions. The tour took a break for the summer, and this would be the first performance since April of that year - so he might have been stepping into the role as understudy, or he might have taken it over for the run.</p><p>The show would continue to tour into 1909, but it was starting to wind down. One night stops were the norm, and Harry tells Helen not to write back until he writes again. With so much traveling, it would probably be difficult to receive mail on the road!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahaw-fqb_APRQTf0wdeRVp15QiInouDMdzmd_iqPWNcA98-PKVBHO7xzFGWB2zJghrtfJjQdj6zUt2bJubMMDLrrvqH3wETwVnrTySWP7JNIGsfWepdTFmbdQ2cwKtpCzi_DBEwPCPo85N_1vYjq7LfO_TsMTwvccKd8fQXGWT6DIDBwrQwBs0dqr/s1730/1261.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1471" data-original-width="1730" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahaw-fqb_APRQTf0wdeRVp15QiInouDMdzmd_iqPWNcA98-PKVBHO7xzFGWB2zJghrtfJjQdj6zUt2bJubMMDLrrvqH3wETwVnrTySWP7JNIGsfWepdTFmbdQ2cwKtpCzi_DBEwPCPo85N_1vYjq7LfO_TsMTwvccKd8fQXGWT6DIDBwrQwBs0dqr/w200-h170/1261.png" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p>Incidentally, the card is addressed to 1261 Madison Ave., NYC. Built in 1900, this is one of the first luxury apartment buildings built in Carnegie Hill. In 1910 it was described as "one of the most select and attractive apartment houses on Madison Avenue". This seems to indicate that Miss Helen James was a woman of some means - or perhaps she simply worked at that address!<br /><br /><br /></p><p></p>Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-85921455315249797362023-02-26T10:12:00.004-06:002023-02-26T10:12:44.826-06:00Everyone’s a Critic!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTIOe8pht64lGHpV-OqTze3a67Orp1AAUY-Ax46ppX1UJms-pJCC-OlOa9vOgYunul8-VEay4FxsGFq7a2K4l4pS8Td4LRnb51g6fogH2bmpWsSBR4ank0ZWFmKyKMDSjBlM8ZLcsViHwGVZ75MmhtlEe3047wtCyFvna0mp6SIOyfJ6us9u0xDjr/s1175/Card.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="1175" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTIOe8pht64lGHpV-OqTze3a67Orp1AAUY-Ax46ppX1UJms-pJCC-OlOa9vOgYunul8-VEay4FxsGFq7a2K4l4pS8Td4LRnb51g6fogH2bmpWsSBR4ank0ZWFmKyKMDSjBlM8ZLcsViHwGVZ75MmhtlEe3047wtCyFvna0mp6SIOyfJ6us9u0xDjr/w400-h140/Card.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>It’s always amusing to run across an unsolicited comment about a show - whether favorable or not! I picked up a postcard recently whose author had just seen <i>The Wizard of Oz</i> - but found it “rather tame after <i>Humpty Dumpty</i>”. In general, the author “M” seems more concerned about a money order and an upcoming trip to the dentist.<p></p><p>The card is postmarked February 13, 1905, and was sent from East Orange, New Jersey. According to the note, the <i>Oz</i> performance was seen on Friday night, which would have been February 10. Consequently, according to the performance history assembled by David Maxine on his <a href="https://www.vintagebroadway.com/p/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none.html" target="_blank">Vintage Broadway</a> page, the performance of <i>Oz</i> that M attended would have been in Newark, New Jersey, and part of the #1 company tour.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRv-UFtEfjjdX8OcMneGSbGtWiMmYiMhjfQs_Geevr6UJBEHv9FTqASPiN-bj4If69aXSspJyPpkntKrn5sE5H8JiKajQnozPZgzrkvAP2ktgsZQ5B_VuOUDLdHNH0TmvUABOoGTfcyQd3uajd7_Qcrtj2gCaPerLd9BHxJ2MghMnDYlYPn2Lf9XHT/s3358/books7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2004" data-original-width="3358" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRv-UFtEfjjdX8OcMneGSbGtWiMmYiMhjfQs_Geevr6UJBEHv9FTqASPiN-bj4If69aXSspJyPpkntKrn5sE5H8JiKajQnozPZgzrkvAP2ktgsZQ5B_VuOUDLdHNH0TmvUABOoGTfcyQd3uajd7_Qcrtj2gCaPerLd9BHxJ2MghMnDYlYPn2Lf9XHT/s320/books7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i>Humpty Dumpty</i> was a popular pantomime first presented in New York in 1868. It was revived over the years, but a new version played at the New Amsterdam Theater in New York for several months in the 1904 - 1905 season, returning for another month in 1906. It was a large show - according to publicity, 800 people were necessary to make it run. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TFDILDd0I_Sjs3TmBsnxu1W7qeuPVYdkLeX3XKCiOTAJ8LqUg7ot2Itj28kG8oA2uXjTNZ-UFMXd4X3XeKXGFtyWaA2ou1puV6TdXLcmRRSDJM_lKAAZTTqh798PIJI0tCla54ADKW7hJWf1eCe9-c_Px0MjGivoZ9yQz6jrRVSe20DnxwMBe3QF/s3384/Submarine%20Ballet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2131" data-original-width="3384" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TFDILDd0I_Sjs3TmBsnxu1W7qeuPVYdkLeX3XKCiOTAJ8LqUg7ot2Itj28kG8oA2uXjTNZ-UFMXd4X3XeKXGFtyWaA2ou1puV6TdXLcmRRSDJM_lKAAZTTqh798PIJI0tCla54ADKW7hJWf1eCe9-c_Px0MjGivoZ9yQz6jrRVSe20DnxwMBe3QF/w400-h253/Submarine%20Ballet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>There was spectacle to spare, in scenes like the Submarine Ballet, a tableau that was said to incorporate 350 people. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbS2vYqZhjk8eMDThnBLviYbTfzlZcPKtNRmsN_z0zWSA03y7MHe6PR9ve45QzRnXYvJ9hN8_BgfLwkp23u-AwofdVZX4XaBFnzX1PRhiz5kGc3belUZZxGt7zsPKBsRfRShC7_6Jh7ypjvA8h3K3jCibyGgsB1mcjY4Tdh8sc8gPIyh3ja8XEg_o/s3771/blank%20copy.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2797" data-original-width="3771" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbS2vYqZhjk8eMDThnBLviYbTfzlZcPKtNRmsN_z0zWSA03y7MHe6PR9ve45QzRnXYvJ9hN8_BgfLwkp23u-AwofdVZX4XaBFnzX1PRhiz5kGc3belUZZxGt7zsPKBsRfRShC7_6Jh7ypjvA8h3K3jCibyGgsB1mcjY4Tdh8sc8gPIyh3ja8XEg_o/s320/blank%20copy.jpg" width="320" /></a>Humpty Dumpty himself was a silent clown, getting in and out of scrapes, played by William C. Schrode. I haven't found a link but I imagine it's possible that he may have been related to Joseph Schrode, who played Imogene the cow during the run of <i>The Wizard of Oz</i>, as well as the Giant Spider in <i>Babes in Toyland</i>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was a lost Princess, a Demon of Misrule, a man-eating Ogre, and plenty of Pierrots and other commedia characters. For sheer scale it probably did make <i>Oz</i> look a little tame!</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMi6hliAwdYW-oaoXwu3idYKfvrMnntz46h99C6_akxEWvSf38aHCg1pNN9KG8ePuWU8Cb3JNUiaEpUYGjWd8SA5V1BEus3-VaPZzAcybO-Xa0QQvAf9fYCRcBbJOkQvjKYBU-1YMxnrev_oJLxyPf2wr6vFxce5BNsBDAwUTB12bTSjTGrwTgUUu/s2543/Princess%20Marie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2543" data-original-width="2470" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMi6hliAwdYW-oaoXwu3idYKfvrMnntz46h99C6_akxEWvSf38aHCg1pNN9KG8ePuWU8Cb3JNUiaEpUYGjWd8SA5V1BEus3-VaPZzAcybO-Xa0QQvAf9fYCRcBbJOkQvjKYBU-1YMxnrev_oJLxyPf2wr6vFxce5BNsBDAwUTB12bTSjTGrwTgUUu/s320/Princess%20Marie.jpg" width="311" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-31375745624527036392023-02-22T18:38:00.001-06:002023-02-24T18:43:29.689-06:00The Perils of Paper Spines<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-RoMjlgK9PySpF6NHXIIywF-0G91G5-tFg17Cs1-OpGBRqjvvgnhtLW3IwrnTl4pKmWchiYDrv1zPr5lVfgCLZVYjRKYyy2dOGu-WproycFJWGSTWvu-bxS-jz62t8k2WIBh-py6_kydjl0KOIp3-vab47aa7PtCGsNJBM4mXiS_ldqeUV0qwZDO/s654/Father%20Goose.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="539" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-RoMjlgK9PySpF6NHXIIywF-0G91G5-tFg17Cs1-OpGBRqjvvgnhtLW3IwrnTl4pKmWchiYDrv1zPr5lVfgCLZVYjRKYyy2dOGu-WproycFJWGSTWvu-bxS-jz62t8k2WIBh-py6_kydjl0KOIp3-vab47aa7PtCGsNJBM4mXiS_ldqeUV0qwZDO/w165-h200/Father%20Goose.jpg" width="165" /></a></div>As a book collector, I've always found paper spines to be completely impractical; especially on children's books, which were never meant to be handled with care! The fragile paper is easily rubbed and torn, and more often than not large chunks will be missing at the top and bottom of the spine; but it was a less expensive alternative to cloth for binding a book, and presumably helped to lower the cost of children's books while raising the profits.<p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8M3UfOCgsee4F8ViFVLWztidvKXnBMDd0m5b8aDSTiyqBBo9a4PXLecwcgqPpba5UX4oOX_qXMz4surU44Oj5bhg-IBXpqcEIia-_MlINTKV68ZkAZThsSi8v3BaJsJ3Rg3aACNjpQTlr_4cfg_6kBiXZlzW8HIsh--7g3eIMhc5wXFqV3MQGWf4/s693/Father%20Goose%20spine.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="196" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8M3UfOCgsee4F8ViFVLWztidvKXnBMDd0m5b8aDSTiyqBBo9a4PXLecwcgqPpba5UX4oOX_qXMz4surU44Oj5bhg-IBXpqcEIia-_MlINTKV68ZkAZThsSi8v3BaJsJ3Rg3aACNjpQTlr_4cfg_6kBiXZlzW8HIsh--7g3eIMhc5wXFqV3MQGWf4/w57-h200/Father%20Goose%20spine.jpeg" width="57" /></a></div>A number of the books illustrated by W.W. Denslow were published in this fashion. His first big success with L. Frank Baum from 1899, <i>Father Goose His Book</i>, was published by George M. Hill in paper covered boards with a paper spine. In spite of the book's huge success, a more enduring binding was never used on any of the later editions, even when publication was taken over by Bobbs Merrill. The example shown above has its full spine, but it’s not at all unusual to find copies of the book like the photo on the left, with several inches gone from either end of the spine, or even the entire spine missing.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div>The follow up volume, <i>The Songs of Father Goose</i>, was also published in paper covered boards, but did have a sturdier cloth spine - until a new edition was printed by Bobbs Merrill, with a new cover design and paper spine. The paper spine on the copy shown in the photo below has been replaced.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsJ-L579Fal0EUAsCQJqpFbzJNPUfdFNUB2FcTAkp2XR4vmOtVhQ6wGmGiaJ4w3g6oX-XC3zw3-rUWg26fIyhbktP1FMCa_82zIAapzHguBAGAdVmt25iqb9-S4LmLXayttenTONtcdnciIBmrzrfZ6xjbDSNZ1rsKSzcyS_O_UB_WolaSRfQ-Cl1/s1014/Songs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="1014" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsJ-L579Fal0EUAsCQJqpFbzJNPUfdFNUB2FcTAkp2XR4vmOtVhQ6wGmGiaJ4w3g6oX-XC3zw3-rUWg26fIyhbktP1FMCa_82zIAapzHguBAGAdVmt25iqb9-S4LmLXayttenTONtcdnciIBmrzrfZ6xjbDSNZ1rsKSzcyS_O_UB_WolaSRfQ-Cl1/s320/Songs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Denslow's hit book from 1901, <i>Denslow's Mother Goose,</i> is another example of this fragile style of binding. Early copies were bound with paper spines, but the publisher McClure seems to have quickly changed this to a much sturdier cloth spine. I wasn't aware of the paper spine version until I stumbled across one recently - the bottom of the spine is missing 2 inches, which I've adjusted in the photo. The small advertising card shows the original cover design with paper spine, with the title printed in black and Denslow's seahorse logo printed in brown - the cloth spine version is simply printed in black.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIMhQxFX9PGp8eyrnnMOg9YpLRMJcWHaY3opTP3X_h5Jx30em1dlSm_SNeximGEfZ66YffZY2v281-wthj4lqiG6RGotRED8-xD63idLcvHijtbbXh9qj6XcBbzwavP7ucvyuM25o7bkSve6YhVicsrvWj30ZyI7ipjOIq1sAH68_Eq2F44P9k6c4/s2589/Mother%20Gooses.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2379" data-original-width="2589" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIMhQxFX9PGp8eyrnnMOg9YpLRMJcWHaY3opTP3X_h5Jx30em1dlSm_SNeximGEfZ66YffZY2v281-wthj4lqiG6RGotRED8-xD63idLcvHijtbbXh9qj6XcBbzwavP7ucvyuM25o7bkSve6YhVicsrvWj30ZyI7ipjOIq1sAH68_Eq2F44P9k6c4/w400-h368/Mother%20Gooses.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>In 1902, <i>Denslow's Night Before Christmas</i> was published by G. W Dillingham. Once again, the publisher chose to use a binding of paper boards and paper spine. In this case, Denslow’s design for the cover takes advantage of the format, with a large image of Santa in his sleigh that spreads across the spine and rear board. But copies today are rarely found with the spine intact, destroying the concept. The book quickly switched to a cloth binding with a new cover design for later printings.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDKuuJa39_u05znqOS9Qx0_RR-Z5bS_T67NL9sLOW4_NfVaP3VxEAlASRSoc4a1WRSsbKoyqnkny2BjE6XgZ0Es2soX5r3qlnwhifZp2zsZL28DnVd6ll5VuTKUMuWV-0MGlue3dKxTtG8UggT_RIOsYtYwJUhsgQmnppdyWkM6E_UBiSvMnBNBxa/s1412/Christmas%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="1412" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDKuuJa39_u05znqOS9Qx0_RR-Z5bS_T67NL9sLOW4_NfVaP3VxEAlASRSoc4a1WRSsbKoyqnkny2BjE6XgZ0Es2soX5r3qlnwhifZp2zsZL28DnVd6ll5VuTKUMuWV-0MGlue3dKxTtG8UggT_RIOsYtYwJUhsgQmnppdyWkM6E_UBiSvMnBNBxa/w400-h173/Christmas%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The last major children's book illustrated by Denslow was also bound in paper boards, with a paper spine. Consequently <i>The Jeweled Toad</i>, from 1907, is another title that is difficult to find with a spine in nice condition. This was also published by Bobbs Merrill - they do seem to have liked their paper bindings!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJJA1OBfaYrM-Z65WQhTm3A8a5tbSRMWHzQ4tmvs8DWw88iZDKTghYj4hpDrDjIgArCI3rkFw8EJrGuhtv4GWJ85_xZilxQ1LmekvEQWzyGBBJu8tfuRwAHJ14-f8uvtTt_xpOvrgZfVMo5Bweo15wuJJL79MFnrg9j0yocLXWy9ZZUL4Arh5Swvo/s1107/Toad.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="1107" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJJA1OBfaYrM-Z65WQhTm3A8a5tbSRMWHzQ4tmvs8DWw88iZDKTghYj4hpDrDjIgArCI3rkFw8EJrGuhtv4GWJ85_xZilxQ1LmekvEQWzyGBBJu8tfuRwAHJ14-f8uvtTt_xpOvrgZfVMo5Bweo15wuJJL79MFnrg9j0yocLXWy9ZZUL4Arh5Swvo/s320/Toad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fortunately the most famous Baum/Denslow title, <i>The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, </i>was given the full cloth treatment it deserved in 1900. The same is true of <i>Dot and Tot in Merryland</i>, from 1901. When Dillingham published <i>The Pearl and the Pumpkin</i> in 1904, and <i>Billy Bounce</i> in 1906, they were given full cloth. In 1909, Century published <i>When I Grow Up, </i>bound in cloth. But those early paper spines do add another degree of difficulty to the collecting game!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAXY_ZP3xxme53lBAHmgOzomyxf9j7I1RWx9B2l3f0noj8WZcHyft3_b_JiYaddU9EXu5iedeOBJ4j6MWdhJ1SCiikI4dlua1Vj1A7oLpfeMB2mxTVddfCRQsSIuM_uSg5_WGzyov07MptdPBcgjoj3jsurYPj9BY8KrMICuGUwfGffpUrjWf8jZ2/s1604/books.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1604" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAXY_ZP3xxme53lBAHmgOzomyxf9j7I1RWx9B2l3f0noj8WZcHyft3_b_JiYaddU9EXu5iedeOBJ4j6MWdhJ1SCiikI4dlua1Vj1A7oLpfeMB2mxTVddfCRQsSIuM_uSg5_WGzyov07MptdPBcgjoj3jsurYPj9BY8KrMICuGUwfGffpUrjWf8jZ2/w400-h359/books.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div></div>Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-32116130402036380602023-02-05T10:09:00.007-06:002023-02-07T20:22:29.846-06:00Emerald City at the Elks<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzW-1b3xclno6V6-xDF7BIehHssQI5cbzopgU5eEQH7A54GMb4B4vI6sOLeeFyfjuqU72QLOpAHZHAqbW6OgCqzy1a6Ze_nEEka1dwrFGhYWNlRbGCyrW75zSfvGmyF9Q0CKqWhAHvrx64bAAayK-ZzT0y1KONposrKjQ-HGDyX3q_QO3JKoKsdX1/s560/10:19:09%20Emerald%20City%20Announcement%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="560" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzW-1b3xclno6V6-xDF7BIehHssQI5cbzopgU5eEQH7A54GMb4B4vI6sOLeeFyfjuqU72QLOpAHZHAqbW6OgCqzy1a6Ze_nEEka1dwrFGhYWNlRbGCyrW75zSfvGmyF9Q0CKqWhAHvrx64bAAayK-ZzT0y1KONposrKjQ-HGDyX3q_QO3JKoKsdX1/s320/10:19:09%20Emerald%20City%20Announcement%20copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>On October 19th, 1909, the above announcement appeared in the town newspaper of Grand Junction, Colorado. The local Elks Lodge (#575) had decided to stage a new comic opera, titled <i>The Emerald City</i>. This was to be done without regard to expense, and would involve a variety of local talent. Costumes would be hired from Salt Lake City, and the presentation would be held at the local Majestic Theater. Work was already underway on scenery painting, and it was expected to be “the most beautiful and spectacular amateur operetta or comic opera ever attempted by purely local talent”. There would be two performances only, and all would be under the direction of Mr. Archie Bliss.<br /><br />There are a number of surprising things about this, not least of which is Mr. Archie Bliss. This entire production was his brainchild - he would write the adaptation, choose the costumes, design the scenery and stage the piece; he even performed. And he was only 20 years old.<br /><br />Archie Bliss was the son of a local merchant, and seems to have been quite a renaissance man. References to his many activities were mentioned frequently in the newspaper; he played the clarinet, gave chalk talks, organized theater productions for schools, threw parties, and was an enthusiastic town booster. He worked as a postal delivery man, married in 1913, and lived in Grand Junction until his death in 1957 (that occurred unexpectedly, while visiting his son in West Virginia). <br /><br />At any rate, in 1909 Mr. Bliss had decided to write a comic opera based on the Oz books. At that point there were only 5 titles, the most recent, <i>The Road to Oz</i>, having been published in July. The hugely successful Broadway production of <i>The Wizard of Oz</i> had toured the country for the last time in April of that year. (That production had only made its way to Colorado once, in 1904, and didn’t get as far west as Grand Junction). An article from November 13th reveals that Bliss received a letter from L. Frank Baum, who was said to be quite interested in the production.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSpJNU0ZhaL6REw7IUsOv5kZULkLLjQJcBmSL8oFQf-tbGBSyJiAuIRS9kR_CMBIfwiHKH0QreIb6mvbTuAKXPpV0uQbpaeojRizhrWoLylcnZ2WVXf81Ci70jfnDRTj-hs7f-BihASRlHaskkTqymp1ETn1HvXYUmyQmFgC2rDTOFx89icuJYHjW/s696/11:13:09%20Baum%20letter%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="544" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSpJNU0ZhaL6REw7IUsOv5kZULkLLjQJcBmSL8oFQf-tbGBSyJiAuIRS9kR_CMBIfwiHKH0QreIb6mvbTuAKXPpV0uQbpaeojRizhrWoLylcnZ2WVXf81Ci70jfnDRTj-hs7f-BihASRlHaskkTqymp1ETn1HvXYUmyQmFgC2rDTOFx89icuJYHjW/w313-h400/11:13:09%20Baum%20letter%20copy.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>Baum seems to be under the impression that the performance is to be a presentation of <i>The Wizard of Oz</i> stage production - and there were definite similarities between the two shows. But in the end it couldn’t truly be called the first amateur performance of the famous hit. A description of the upcoming show was published on December 3rd. According to Archie, it was to be “a delicious blend of the Oz books, though founded mainly on <i>The Land of Oz</i>. We have taken the best from each book and woven the whole together with a large number of appropriate songs”. Baum's own attempt at dramatizing <i>The Land of Oz</i> five years earlier had resulted in <i>The Wogglebug, </i>a short lived disappointment. Archie goes on to describe the basic plot:<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAkJOdZO2DiBnFSSErfqnfRqr3L3UjcbuFRD8h9b2dHVs6oRlnSAiOxAQzgHa7thHO9uEhjkYQh6kz7ePRgdDlXKIB2w_EmxzLDHuZ-q9IHX2N7CurBFjpa2SR_-9akJl4_GqP8VmqUfZDqssupC0QlddoIxDE314fWCbYy1nXrbIDHCNx4RT4qMc/s591/12:03:09%20Play%20Description%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="541" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAkJOdZO2DiBnFSSErfqnfRqr3L3UjcbuFRD8h9b2dHVs6oRlnSAiOxAQzgHa7thHO9uEhjkYQh6kz7ePRgdDlXKIB2w_EmxzLDHuZ-q9IHX2N7CurBFjpa2SR_-9akJl4_GqP8VmqUfZDqssupC0QlddoIxDE314fWCbYy1nXrbIDHCNx4RT4qMc/w366-h400/12:03:09%20Play%20Description%20copy.jpg" width="366" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So the premise of the show does appear to be a blending of stories. There’s no Dorothy or cyclone, but the Wizard still reigns in the Emerald City. Jack Pumpkinhead, the Sawhorse and the Wogglebug have been dispensed with, but Mombi and Tip are main characters. A magic belt comes into play, but there’s no mention of a Nome King. And of course there is that startling announcement at the climax of the show!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On November 2nd a blurb announced that Bliss was traveling, to select costumes for the production. He was visiting “the largest costuming house in the intermountain region, located at Salt Lake City”. Presumably this was Salt Lake Costume, which opened in 1889 and remained in business until 2005. Another article, from December 10, states that the “great array of costumes to be used by the eighty and more people who are to take part in the local production of “The Emerald City” next Monday and Tuesday night, arrived in the city by express from Salt Lake City”.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYDFjuWlw6IBaigcew8G8GqGyes_WfUHacHR4-fRJsluUWbITtlEyjJMnui9R-9aV-755k8lkcg3EtJDSecLh4KB2qW6YNaewR3_0cdUXnz9UZCbKMt8r-DU2PfQJuKP9gZxDjMw0t-5i3Q81JZxo92aseczltDnsbj2zi-Vfh87vAddUIsbZKFZP/s512/12:10:09%20Costume%20Arrival%20%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="512" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYDFjuWlw6IBaigcew8G8GqGyes_WfUHacHR4-fRJsluUWbITtlEyjJMnui9R-9aV-755k8lkcg3EtJDSecLh4KB2qW6YNaewR3_0cdUXnz9UZCbKMt8r-DU2PfQJuKP9gZxDjMw0t-5i3Q81JZxo92aseczltDnsbj2zi-Vfh87vAddUIsbZKFZP/w400-h249/12:10:09%20Costume%20Arrival%20%20copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Not everything could be rented -</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUODYERe-IMXgohST8EOMgDj_Q4fWYDOyW-IV-p10-W3OU8otjVC9Oz7urRH-Tqbnd0CKe2weUxRjQeyWlLpvgosoWEVHnY1mRu8adwAA3WWYWQOGtIGHSiX-KeGZaDiAaNE0rb501TubznflWfXgoRal6wxB5TBApiW53hkVBIPngewM2HGKfC8_/s528/12:10:09%20Tin%20Man.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="528" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUODYERe-IMXgohST8EOMgDj_Q4fWYDOyW-IV-p10-W3OU8otjVC9Oz7urRH-Tqbnd0CKe2weUxRjQeyWlLpvgosoWEVHnY1mRu8adwAA3WWYWQOGtIGHSiX-KeGZaDiAaNE0rb501TubznflWfXgoRal6wxB5TBApiW53hkVBIPngewM2HGKfC8_/w400-h291/12:10:09%20Tin%20Man.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>So everything moved along smoothly, a cast list of 84 people was published, and rehearsal notices appeared. Finally the show itself was presented, on December 13th. The piece was given an extensive, and enthusiastic, review in the newspaper. The main criticism was the long wait between acts and scenes, due to difficulties in changing scenery on the small stage of the Majestic Theater. However, that problem was vastly improved by the second (and final) performance on December 14th. Each character was praised, and the respective actor complimented on their role.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFUM0pytSrWIi0tfofNqkguvRTQF4nAodLPvv540d4rodfDVhu_aK-hAp4Ix19pFMHiCeZ4DBB2Srz3QEfkIUHV_-UPMpbrIbxC8BJa3-b03iqBL7LcavuIwYDvMkHN0DCMsiy0lgmiladATj0U2Zze7OQDV1w4hIIRkFUxcKuQRxl3n9LQDmbtKe/s1074/12:14:09%20First%20Review%20copy.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1074" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFUM0pytSrWIi0tfofNqkguvRTQF4nAodLPvv540d4rodfDVhu_aK-hAp4Ix19pFMHiCeZ4DBB2Srz3QEfkIUHV_-UPMpbrIbxC8BJa3-b03iqBL7LcavuIwYDvMkHN0DCMsiy0lgmiladATj0U2Zze7OQDV1w4hIIRkFUxcKuQRxl3n9LQDmbtKe/w400-h301/12:14:09%20First%20Review%20copy.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>As to the show itself: <i>The Emerald City</i> consisted of three acts and seven scenes. It opened with a maypole dance; (not unlike the Land of the Munchkins in the pre-Broadway production of the<i> Wizard</i>). Mombi the witch was introduced, and was assisted by seven weird sisters in her number “The Haunts of the Witches”. The Scarecrow spent much of the first act onstage in his Scarecrow pose, before being brought to life. The Tin Man received great praise for his characterization of the role. Miss Margaret Bunting made a “great little Tip”, who ran away to the Emerald City with the Scarecrow and Tin Man to see the Wizard, and “in the final act was turned into a beautiful princess” (a bit of a spoiler for the "startling announcment at the climax of the play"!) Apparently Mombi was also transformed from a witch into a young and beautiful maiden in the final act. The Wizard kept the audience in roars of laughter, Glinda the fairy queen was pleasing, and Robin Goodfellow made an appearance. There was a forge scene with a company of (G)nomes. Archie Bliss himself made an appearance as the Demon, and “made that weird part one of the most fetching of the cast”. <br /><br />There was a drill, dance and song of little Frost Fairies; there were Forest Fairies; a song for Tip, Scarecrow and Tin Man called “When the Goblins Were at Play”, accompanied by six goblins. Female soldiers led by General Jinjur gave a drill and song at the close of the first act; apparently “General Jinjur and her soldiers immensely pleased every time they appeared”.</p><p>And that was just the first act!<br /><br />The second act opened with the Guardian of the Gate, singing “The Guardian of the Gate”; a song from the pre-Broadway days of <i>The Wizard</i>. Tip, Scarecrow and Tin Woodman sang “When We Get What’s Coming to Us”, another <i>Wizard</i> song. “In the Valley of Ho-Kus Po” was sung by the Wizard, accompanied by chorus members in colonial costumes and hairstyles. The reviewer was greatly impressed by this number.<br /><br />At the opening of the third act, Jellia Jamb had a song, “Take Me Up With You”, sung while seated in an improvised airship - perhaps some form of the Gump? There is mention of Miss Helen Bunting as a “mechanical figure” - maybe Tik-Tok made an appearance? A skit was performed of “The Traveler and the Pie”, another standard from the Broadway <i>Wizard</i>. And a finale of “Airs of Nations” was yet another nod to the Broadway hit. G.A.R. veterans and a drum corp passed in review, and the grand finale was an Elks song written by the actor playing the Tin Man, with a display of flags in Elk colors.<br /></p><p></p><p>Overall, it was a full evening of entertainment and a grand success. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any photographic record of the event. I contacted the Lodge, which is still active today, but their archives have no mention of the production. It seems to have slipped into obscurity.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6s9csYoV2BB_UVQdoOPNAETrijNCgpLaAQNNuAGu5zW_ycI2vCAV88YR_AuzX9fNwvEsjKsnQjRsI7oxlXWBqozdxkKOQboxfGtNAsMVLXoXWrS9HhPG7HtSUw9_BhIGAC0VpQOHpjuz-hTVPVreBAPAcy9nUAuDi4adfG4RYSJaHAd_ccK0vyuLG/s923/12:15:09%20Second%20Review%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="545" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6s9csYoV2BB_UVQdoOPNAETrijNCgpLaAQNNuAGu5zW_ycI2vCAV88YR_AuzX9fNwvEsjKsnQjRsI7oxlXWBqozdxkKOQboxfGtNAsMVLXoXWrS9HhPG7HtSUw9_BhIGAC0VpQOHpjuz-hTVPVreBAPAcy9nUAuDi4adfG4RYSJaHAd_ccK0vyuLG/w236-h400/12:15:09%20Second%20Review%20copy.jpg" width="236" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p>Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-8362959774185102372022-11-10T20:42:00.006-06:002022-11-10T20:43:57.344-06:00Anyone for Skittles?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhzara4a26A-B0-4Vhz_fMvYDBh5IqMiophR4LOda1mRrYIYSpZU6_yQ_p2kdUrP9sEmClcHIBZLLXtJBuMtciGFl0MSXEQkOPr0L_Ij1TWmKCATE8-F2xVE64CK7jrHGiFqIw9HnxJv3if50ORmAXbbc2PYqruS9bmZM5o_K_sYqFQy0pNTuceL2/s1080/Nomes%20in%20Dragon%20sm.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="1080" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhzara4a26A-B0-4Vhz_fMvYDBh5IqMiophR4LOda1mRrYIYSpZU6_yQ_p2kdUrP9sEmClcHIBZLLXtJBuMtciGFl0MSXEQkOPr0L_Ij1TWmKCATE8-F2xVE64CK7jrHGiFqIw9HnxJv3if50ORmAXbbc2PYqruS9bmZM5o_K_sYqFQy0pNTuceL2/s320/Nomes%20in%20Dragon%20sm.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>Some years ago Irwin and I visited with Kendra Daniels, a collector and dealer in children's illustration art, at her home. We viewed the amazing collections she and her husband Allan had assembled; and among the collections, I saw my first figurative skittle set. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnIhUPRi7ZDgWkfYn3R0sQsGrcsErjdG6AXOdd3S_qOd4yop62PauPrtUkQpvfd4ZMYazI9zpWj0gg8AmEjdKTEm16ByqtqoWOeWq4EwvU5MzybAkbu_eiJP0ICnCawgCNUr1l8RFLdNeLIZMg4ZMF2mRVrM9fsnzzTKRKevDRvHTDFRxzhwDFY3L/s864/IMG_2529.PNG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="864" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnIhUPRi7ZDgWkfYn3R0sQsGrcsErjdG6AXOdd3S_qOd4yop62PauPrtUkQpvfd4ZMYazI9zpWj0gg8AmEjdKTEm16ByqtqoWOeWq4EwvU5MzybAkbu_eiJP0ICnCawgCNUr1l8RFLdNeLIZMg4ZMF2mRVrM9fsnzzTKRKevDRvHTDFRxzhwDFY3L/w200-h132/IMG_2529.PNG" width="200" /></a></div>Skittles is a form of ninepin bowling, for table top or floor. The sets Kendra collected were made in Europe in the 19th century, and consisted of whimsical collections of paper mache figures in wheeled wagons that relate to the characters. An antique example is shown on the right - in this case, a dog with puppies - from the LiveAuctioneers website.<br /><p></p><p>As the summer drew to a close, I began to look about for a new Oz project and decided to give skittles a try. Most of my projects develop from ideas I've had for a very long time!</p><p>I decided that Quox, the dragon from<i> Tik-Tok of Oz</i>, would be a natural as a wagon, since he had seating for passengers attached to his back. For the skittles, I chose the Nome King together with an additional troupe of Nomes. The set needed a kingpin, and Ruggedo seemed like a natural choice! </p><p>Quox wears his pearl necklace and gold locket and, as in the book, there are eggs inside the locket to be used for knocking down the Nomes. Wheels are concealed under the dragon's legs, for rolling across the table or floor, and with the use of mini LEDs his tail lights up and his eyes flash.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8eEo2w2I-cLAeqilhUNcVU5BctB3PEp3X13A8z_BLbvSX53lp-0QIhYQJnWdoXEPnB1YtTZjArwSdYjR3qZMFStLZSR2hzaIj7ZSHGIJC3PQaVPq0GXOaoJyiJ5LdOcwsbiP5BdwCI1dhhL_mQv7lubNdwAeQHyMvC-GnT6zmEGUpulxAeSxWlsos/s1226/Progress.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1226" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8eEo2w2I-cLAeqilhUNcVU5BctB3PEp3X13A8z_BLbvSX53lp-0QIhYQJnWdoXEPnB1YtTZjArwSdYjR3qZMFStLZSR2hzaIj7ZSHGIJC3PQaVPq0GXOaoJyiJ5LdOcwsbiP5BdwCI1dhhL_mQv7lubNdwAeQHyMvC-GnT6zmEGUpulxAeSxWlsos/w200-h190/Progress.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>On the left, Quox can be seen at the start of his paint job. The Nomes are lined up and finished. All the pieces are molded from paper mache like the antique versions. Below, a video shows the set in action!<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz7stTTjYVGDPNfetqboWEoTumPgrK0K_gM6mZhzpxHTsnI2g6thNXkpXY9uNZlfiH5hA35XveVeFjvJ79IYw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-67840006074072401872022-11-04T21:25:00.001-05:002022-11-04T21:26:35.440-05:00Pearls and Pumpkins<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhWdG6-7GncVaBcCGRxwLQkgIT9N-hVLV5WX5nGAmp1R5cZlt74RWNuW-SzQYlFhsx0q7DR_8p4v_HH6i_N3p6xXxJRc1Tfe0GG0RRPMnGUkDS3tCK3O2rgKWomA2O8tCdnsfpXTsdycVgaTYoBn3xTgmL_8u7hCY18xRHWV9l8hkYc0qMzq7EfYq/s711/Viewing%20Pearl%20w:Brady%20sm.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="576" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhWdG6-7GncVaBcCGRxwLQkgIT9N-hVLV5WX5nGAmp1R5cZlt74RWNuW-SzQYlFhsx0q7DR_8p4v_HH6i_N3p6xXxJRc1Tfe0GG0RRPMnGUkDS3tCK3O2rgKWomA2O8tCdnsfpXTsdycVgaTYoBn3xTgmL_8u7hCY18xRHWV9l8hkYc0qMzq7EfYq/w162-h200/Viewing%20Pearl%20w:Brady%20sm.jpeg" width="162" /></a></div> This past weekend Irwin and I visited the <a href="https://www.lib.umn.edu/collections/special/clrc/kerlan-collection" target="_blank">Kerlan Collection</a>, at the University of Minnesota, to view the W. W. Denslow materials in their collection. We were accompanied by Brady Schwind, who was doing some research for his <a href="http://www.artsofimagination.org/" target="_blank">Arts of the Imagination Foundation</a>. I’ve been to the Kerlan a number of times over the years, but it’s always fun to revisit and view interesting materials.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYUH8ITzNiNfT2YybfAttY0a48Bf6IPCMYFKCvH1vm9NUHxmhsZVsLqcCHso7HQY5cgYSE0bdsc7T9pYsfZoJ1Sxs1-Xolk45tX7zulpv2x7iB4-WeuG91OxqpG-IEYkKNUWd7miN0T_35DRoQPln2K7IKf29BTqDLOrimfhaANdNSAfbisheDkk8/s768/Pearl%20Joe%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="576" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYUH8ITzNiNfT2YybfAttY0a48Bf6IPCMYFKCvH1vm9NUHxmhsZVsLqcCHso7HQY5cgYSE0bdsc7T9pYsfZoJ1Sxs1-Xolk45tX7zulpv2x7iB4-WeuG91OxqpG-IEYkKNUWd7miN0T_35DRoQPln2K7IKf29BTqDLOrimfhaANdNSAfbisheDkk8/w150-h200/Pearl%20Joe%20copy.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Among their Denslow holdings is the publisher’s dummy for <i>The Pearl and the Pumpkin</i>, written by Denslow and Paul West, and published by G. W. Dillingham in 1904. This is a fascinating piece, showing how the layout of the final book was developed. Proofs of illustrations are cut and pasted in place on blank pages, to figure out the spacing and typesetting of the final book. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLU4PoXF3D3xGZKruMZEpxnYDQtVkiK4Kkr5wGkjk-GO69v0T9Wp_pZ427N1mtQdvaCFhVuw7T9DYbMo1jEM9piWqH6082lQ_6S-j9-MFJ8aUyg7zUlEm7GVEuYrO5nSRk78XxEHUykXlsEYaZIP0-r6d3BfsBye7NH4oS-Wia1g0MRSUwlKk9zFuw/s1080/Title.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1080" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLU4PoXF3D3xGZKruMZEpxnYDQtVkiK4Kkr5wGkjk-GO69v0T9Wp_pZ427N1mtQdvaCFhVuw7T9DYbMo1jEM9piWqH6082lQ_6S-j9-MFJ8aUyg7zUlEm7GVEuYrO5nSRk78XxEHUykXlsEYaZIP0-r6d3BfsBye7NH4oS-Wia1g0MRSUwlKk9zFuw/w400-h265/Title.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>In the above image, the dummy title page is shown on the left, and a photo of the final title page is on the right. There's been a change to the credits; rather than "pictures by the Authors", the finished book credits Denslow alone, and stresses his past achievements.<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6DwLxUCcZaE_8n01N4wjajSNoLlA23aEZAyO93snOESpM6Txu8e_AzT6PEc57MWX4eqnLu1V9swbFsaWhruf-4-1RHUmFP53h3i3abMmN7LRho8z2Xj5-dQCDvUUOKBc3D2JpuMequJAYW2okbJGuaUlERfwGcQoZP_1UGrEf0TCUaNnBxLoZvPR/s1080/Dedications.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1080" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6DwLxUCcZaE_8n01N4wjajSNoLlA23aEZAyO93snOESpM6Txu8e_AzT6PEc57MWX4eqnLu1V9swbFsaWhruf-4-1RHUmFP53h3i3abMmN7LRho8z2Xj5-dQCDvUUOKBc3D2JpuMequJAYW2okbJGuaUlERfwGcQoZP_1UGrEf0TCUaNnBxLoZvPR/s320/Dedications.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>One of the unusual aspects of the dummy is the color scheme used on the illustration proofs. In the final book, the drawings are printed in black and orange. But for this working copy, the illustrations were printed in turquoise and orange. The big difference is that the proof illustrations appear to have three colors, since the areas where the two colors overlap show as a deep olive green. In the published version, the use of black ink instead of turquoise means that the overlapping areas simply look black. It’s a shame the trial colors weren’t used in the final book!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKb4CnZdnoaDO_98vhKvHqcaAB7fC28mXc8Lk8MBOeCV3URv4GbISHPbiIXft42LgUbuWF-s50_UBdWq8wBQYY5Q3KdoEbZs9c4oq3ybbGDhUMm1g_P99J5Q67ZAnP-RJoH83OS6SI4WlxM5Z8yAQMTarBZokladcjWtmydrmwk7RvSpzN5oa4OiDS/s1080/Endpapers%20sm.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1080" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKb4CnZdnoaDO_98vhKvHqcaAB7fC28mXc8Lk8MBOeCV3URv4GbISHPbiIXft42LgUbuWF-s50_UBdWq8wBQYY5Q3KdoEbZs9c4oq3ybbGDhUMm1g_P99J5Q67ZAnP-RJoH83OS6SI4WlxM5Z8yAQMTarBZokladcjWtmydrmwk7RvSpzN5oa4OiDS/w400-h286/Endpapers%20sm.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>Another interesting point is the endpaper design. In the dummy, Denslow has sketched an illustration of Pearl and Joe, (the pumpkin), surrounded by jack o’lanterns. The published book shows secondary characters with Joe, and Pearl has disappeared! The sketch in the dummy feels considerably livelier to me. The endpapers of the first printing of the book were printed in turquoise, which almost seems to be a holdover from the original turquoise and orange color scheme; but later printings changed to the orange and black inks that are used in the rest of the illustrations.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAFRBf91XIVjk6MZmvN_hBwTb1AuyK5mLhleWEdh03oPjp_WZKpYEHZLmk0e3D_qHvtVWiQnoUOoUY1a5I6nP_OZj28IbqSjdMACGuUKQY6sm8JYstNwCpTbxA241JnnNiz6nJxRbIQTHe6eIvQukGrgm5Z1e8L1qF5c71Sefu2YjBumvPCg4_d2e/s1185/Pearl%20endpapers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1185" data-original-width="862" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAFRBf91XIVjk6MZmvN_hBwTb1AuyK5mLhleWEdh03oPjp_WZKpYEHZLmk0e3D_qHvtVWiQnoUOoUY1a5I6nP_OZj28IbqSjdMACGuUKQY6sm8JYstNwCpTbxA241JnnNiz6nJxRbIQTHe6eIvQukGrgm5Z1e8L1qF5c71Sefu2YjBumvPCg4_d2e/w291-h400/Pearl%20endpapers.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><p></p><p>It was a very appropriate visit for Halloween weekend!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_BhUdYQ9HJoMbCTgwcPD1HCv0LiLuTc8u4Tnw7pRFaFXZgUJ-pz_MybmrasPOQl4ojM80jsJ4nPUg80UxjF1qQkrNnVJalXA-jt0BK_VgRN-fzB189A0iU5k83ukqNcnOP_QZwN55d6PS3y1kuv_j2ZvWjq3cgxQVztZ4h1H83bvf_re6tj56HnE/s687/Pearl:Pumpkin%20cover.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="565" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_BhUdYQ9HJoMbCTgwcPD1HCv0LiLuTc8u4Tnw7pRFaFXZgUJ-pz_MybmrasPOQl4ojM80jsJ4nPUg80UxjF1qQkrNnVJalXA-jt0BK_VgRN-fzB189A0iU5k83ukqNcnOP_QZwN55d6PS3y1kuv_j2ZvWjq3cgxQVztZ4h1H83bvf_re6tj56HnE/s320/Pearl:Pumpkin%20cover.jpeg" width="263" /></a></div><p></p>Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-80777565201275615412022-08-07T10:38:00.002-05:002023-08-16T18:07:37.408-05:00My Dear Mr. Neill (Part 1)<p></p><div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GfxPQJ1t-e5SUDvMfyfCqc18PEPJ8G7qOfmGNeqkXGy01S6M4LSYtdDr9g59HatjDWSUteLfjVLVb1u_f7-9cf2KC9HOtq56IrM_yYcEyCW3t2LXUV519tPELAI50axy2g4qpRbDniTCDDy8UOCzC4Q-Z5krH-Y84oFcw6ZVCNyEvlQJcPu5R-Ne/s1000/Letters.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="1000" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GfxPQJ1t-e5SUDvMfyfCqc18PEPJ8G7qOfmGNeqkXGy01S6M4LSYtdDr9g59HatjDWSUteLfjVLVb1u_f7-9cf2KC9HOtq56IrM_yYcEyCW3t2LXUV519tPELAI50axy2g4qpRbDniTCDDy8UOCzC4Q-Z5krH-Y84oFcw6ZVCNyEvlQJcPu5R-Ne/s320/Letters.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQP2P8dKUrgRUj3ViueCwU92uBSNOT69Mc7gLFzrarSeguf0l3sBEuJpWSi6TTcj2HagnPVxC_0DWikNK7z6X-q6b9k2CRRoSL5onaTUl_5MhoV0N-EdDD8l080uAgyShf1f6rxlHX8ie43GNUEBGqJ6woPyDhd5q1dqKO9fDFJcnjTTpGtAHGCKKV/s797/Letter%20Envelope.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="672" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQP2P8dKUrgRUj3ViueCwU92uBSNOT69Mc7gLFzrarSeguf0l3sBEuJpWSi6TTcj2HagnPVxC_0DWikNK7z6X-q6b9k2CRRoSL5onaTUl_5MhoV0N-EdDD8l080uAgyShf1f6rxlHX8ie43GNUEBGqJ6woPyDhd5q1dqKO9fDFJcnjTTpGtAHGCKKV/w169-h200/Letter%20Envelope.jpg" width="169" /></a></div>In August of 1935, John R. Neill received a letter that had been
forwarded from the publishers Reilly & Lee. Looking at the envelope,
it's clear that the letter did a bit of roundabout traveling! It was
from Mrs. Elgood Lufkin of Rye, New York, and read as follows:<p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdy08_5tiuj50wOYuELHA5frkiesNlcuaVdlpRXlqJxTsGvSSswqv7o3sQzdZOeCRsGkSA77PzrAgjEZC_DWV9-pPeybmfMOFpPzpdzzICnlj7tse4G8oaM3NDajK6rLX3d4fM__iNOVy-9PvrYDSS4mfb7SvkFxzVCD41U4cfTAEs7QUoKvgD4GjX/s679/Scan%20copy.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="571" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdy08_5tiuj50wOYuELHA5frkiesNlcuaVdlpRXlqJxTsGvSSswqv7o3sQzdZOeCRsGkSA77PzrAgjEZC_DWV9-pPeybmfMOFpPzpdzzICnlj7tse4G8oaM3NDajK6rLX3d4fM__iNOVy-9PvrYDSS4mfb7SvkFxzVCD41U4cfTAEs7QUoKvgD4GjX/w168-h200/Scan%20copy.jpeg" width="168" /></a></div><i> My dear Mr. Neill -</i><br /><br /><i>
Mr Lufkin and I ever since we were very small have loved the Oz
stories and their illustrations. So much so that now that we are older
we have read them all to our children who love them and are as intrigued
by them as we were and are.</i><br /><br /><i> In fact we have called our place which we got last year “The Land of Oz”.</i><br /><br /><i>
However this is all aside from the point. We were very fortunate in
obtaining two of your original water colors - the “Interior of the
Scarecrow’s House” and the Scarecrow’s House with Dorothy the Wizard and
Uncle Henry coming to pay the Scarecrow a visit. We are terribly
anxious to get any others that we could and I wondered if by writing you
and explaining a bit how we feel whether you would be willing to sell
any to us.</i><br /><br /><i> It would mean a great deal to the children
and to us to have some more of your illustrations and I want you to know
that they will be highly prized by us.</i><br /><br /><i> Will you drop me a line and let me know whether you will do this for us. Please?</i><br /><br /><i> Always Sincerely,</i><br /><br /><i> Marie Murray Lufkin</i><br /><i> Aug. 8 1935</i></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><i> </i><br /></div><div><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAb88-tRJl4lxXFIVYXI_pk-DSq40VGMwgcdjJ-o1LsYZgvxG9q54Q_mG45-E2gml1Wph0r1GXjvCDd2Ezx_2FlJuWp3GlLTwxu6lYoqj3DMOQ0zFO4IYdY1HsGO8DSH1vd5S3IOkKkQ87ikgZAyNjwqC2d2igym7C74yW_SD9TyMS2lTeLNce9HT/s696/Scan.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAb88-tRJl4lxXFIVYXI_pk-DSq40VGMwgcdjJ-o1LsYZgvxG9q54Q_mG45-E2gml1Wph0r1GXjvCDd2Ezx_2FlJuWp3GlLTwxu6lYoqj3DMOQ0zFO4IYdY1HsGO8DSH1vd5S3IOkKkQ87ikgZAyNjwqC2d2igym7C74yW_SD9TyMS2lTeLNce9HT/w173-h200/Scan.jpeg" width="173" /></a></i></div>Once the letter eventually made its way to
him, Neill
must have replied promptly as another note from Marie, dated September 1st, followed. In this,
she offers to send her car and chauffeur to bring Neill to have tea and
visit. Or, if that didn’t work -<p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><i> …If you do not feel like coming out, if I sent the car would you let
the chauffeur bring some out here to me? I couldn’t make out from your
letter whether you had any or whether you would be willing to do some
illustrations</i>...</p><p>The
offer of a car and chauffeur indicates that the Lufkins were people of
some means; after all, 1935 was not far past the height of the Great
Depression. In fact, Elgood Lufkin was the vice president of the Bank of
New York. The couple had purchased a farm in Connecticut the previous
year, and were hard at work renovating and decorating the house. As it
happens, Neill bought a farm in Flanders, New Jersey the following year;
most likely, the work of restoring the properties was a common point of
interest between them. I particularly like the offer of sending the
chauffeur to pick up a selection of artwork to view!<br /></p><p>Apparently,
there was no response to this letter and the correspondence died. But
Marie wasn't ready to give up, and in June of 1936 another letter was
forwarded to Neill from Reilly & Lee. She reintroduces herself, and again declares her interest in buying some Oz artwork.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNnHDLToeaFdlbg7kvGQFDxWuYDmxlUzHwjmcRaqyuQSg6ovzowjvjOM-0xlhg1sNvTY05RKQnFzIbxa7aa8d5MvglY1vppltDF-FKPtJGZspRC7kaPa9Zq_9WVV0KCmJhhVy1ttOLZgHgNoRo7IvE7I86CxOq9yHKh9FcD9TG2UQ0zq2MsX7eR9M/s1133/Scan%201.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="691" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNnHDLToeaFdlbg7kvGQFDxWuYDmxlUzHwjmcRaqyuQSg6ovzowjvjOM-0xlhg1sNvTY05RKQnFzIbxa7aa8d5MvglY1vppltDF-FKPtJGZspRC7kaPa9Zq_9WVV0KCmJhhVy1ttOLZgHgNoRo7IvE7I86CxOq9yHKh9FcD9TG2UQ0zq2MsX7eR9M/s320/Scan%201.jpeg" width="195" /></a></div><p></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"></p><div style="margin-left: 120px; text-align: left;"><i>…As I received no reply I took it that you were not interested but even
so I am writing again to ask if you have any of the original
illustrations for the “Emerald City" besides the exterior & interior
of the Scarecrows house as we have those already.</i><br /><br /><i> Please reply one way or the other as I am so anxious to know if we can ever find any for ourselves...</i><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">An intriguing side note to the correspondence is the fact that the Lufkins already owned two watercolors from <i>The Emerald City of Oz</i>!
How they managed to acquire these drawings is not known, but it does
seem to indicate that Oz art could be found in the wild. This time, she
did receive a quick reply from Neill and hurried to respond:</p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"></p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVHw9nsoocGjXMBiFXVxFrmYbj4ZEI38KC5sawS7rfSBQQLn_8dogtydQt5JVzI3wMJL1o-eU-3OZ6wJ7tsfpwJlqZXS7u2wUQzldTjRG_QH7CRXfWY1aXhUd2TEIwq1kk16MvdpuH0imlpsOqx28l2vHjero5fDP77LXStJF03rKFHkDgctRIhsX/s701/4.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="604" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVHw9nsoocGjXMBiFXVxFrmYbj4ZEI38KC5sawS7rfSBQQLn_8dogtydQt5JVzI3wMJL1o-eU-3OZ6wJ7tsfpwJlqZXS7u2wUQzldTjRG_QH7CRXfWY1aXhUd2TEIwq1kk16MvdpuH0imlpsOqx28l2vHjero5fDP77LXStJF03rKFHkDgctRIhsX/w173-h200/4.jpeg" width="173" /></a> <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><i> …What a relief receiving your letter! You have no idea how we loved it.
From now until you have time to do something for us, I am going to
pester you with letters so that you won’t get a chance to lose our
address again.</i><br /><br /><i> Your farm at Flanders sounds really
magical. Just the way we feel ours is - and you must be the perfect
wizard because although you say you are “expected to be a sort of Wizard
of Oz without the qualifications,” to us you will always be the real
Wizard of Oz, as you have made the stories live for us and our children…</i><br /></div></div><br />Clearly,
having finally won Neill’s attention, Marie wasn’t about to let go!
This was to be the start of a relationship that continued until Neill’s
death in 1943. The family were fans of
Neill, and of the Oz books, and they assembled a unique collection as
they befriended the artist. The first Oz book Neill wrote, 1940’s <i>Wonder City of Oz</i>, is even dedicated to the Lufkins.<p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaFuMwqvdn9GJihtN3c8EnrB4JpamL0nhsq0YSnSZkmkJI71_g-DvUQKXXFS4Glzw9w722K1PsvcC7YuMHjsl1JchUAQS88c5x7TD9pWogyrUgnYCH5hrnMJ9qoXDydy-XTP7yLMDYtMQA6nfHzABbL7cXJe08Ss-gECyIlq6f1NY2ToS8L1YKn0m/s1200/dedication1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="1200" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaFuMwqvdn9GJihtN3c8EnrB4JpamL0nhsq0YSnSZkmkJI71_g-DvUQKXXFS4Glzw9w722K1PsvcC7YuMHjsl1JchUAQS88c5x7TD9pWogyrUgnYCH5hrnMJ9qoXDydy-XTP7yLMDYtMQA6nfHzABbL7cXJe08Ss-gECyIlq6f1NY2ToS8L1YKn0m/w400-h214/dedication1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><p><a href="https://theozenthusiast.blogspot.com/2023/08/my-dear-mr-neill-part-2.html" target="_blank"> Click here for Part 2 of this article.</a><br /></p>Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-27994468309272293542022-08-01T17:12:00.001-05:002022-08-01T17:12:12.227-05:00Oz on Ice?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxFLJVkmm0YNm2_njgCxnSNzvi2oHqEBeCE9NeQACf5he-sqB9q6fWwr8iyfMDgTcjtVy1M8GQAFG5O6MtVWxj309L3Dxhmm2lsDgjpncS8sBjGx_vAYDZEnM4NgGtc_QdpTpnzSUznkildEVzFAYjUknW_NzF8E6MRUgKOGzthG3WbU-fbb6y2gK/s1000/Holland%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="717" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxFLJVkmm0YNm2_njgCxnSNzvi2oHqEBeCE9NeQACf5he-sqB9q6fWwr8iyfMDgTcjtVy1M8GQAFG5O6MtVWxj309L3Dxhmm2lsDgjpncS8sBjGx_vAYDZEnM4NgGtc_QdpTpnzSUznkildEVzFAYjUknW_NzF8E6MRUgKOGzthG3WbU-fbb6y2gK/s320/Holland%20.jpeg" width="229" /></a></div> Here's a costume design by Anthony Holland (1912 - 2001) for <i>The Wizard of Oz</i>, presumably for the Wizard himself!<p></p><p>Holland was a well known British costume designer, creating his first show in 1933. He also designed sets, and worked with theatres throughout Britain. After the second world war, he worked in London's West End and also became known as a designer for a number of pantomimes and ice shows - popular English entertainment at that time. He retired from designing in 1981.</p><p>This is a very traditional looking Wizard with a long white beard and pointed hat, not quite the American huckster of L. Frank Baum's story. It's an attractive design, featuring all twelve zodiac symbols embroidered in green sequins, as well as the sun and moon.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9cZ-kyAPKR8OSxl_whqZF38JDq7RJ7FBI71pCdF3ZNVYVWwvr847tYTuoXilxKVcWY5JSKyz8F60Drx6OHL9VCaODo-6GdExtLOVPKuwMxX0XZpv60gqwToCXDPs__EYyq0DlyYJ8FbsHXM1tYMyLSFNNixNakMLu4ZXHGTpesMOhE3ZdrW0EBiW/s720/Program:white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="544" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9cZ-kyAPKR8OSxl_whqZF38JDq7RJ7FBI71pCdF3ZNVYVWwvr847tYTuoXilxKVcWY5JSKyz8F60Drx6OHL9VCaODo-6GdExtLOVPKuwMxX0XZpv60gqwToCXDPs__EYyq0DlyYJ8FbsHXM1tYMyLSFNNixNakMLu4ZXHGTpesMOhE3ZdrW0EBiW/s320/Program:white.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>There's no specific notification, but I think this may have been designed for the Tom Arnold adaptation of <i>The Wizard of Oz</i>, an ice show that toured England in the 1960s. As can be seen in the center spread of the program, the costumes were designed by Anthony Holland. Unfortunately, I haven't found any photos of the production itself to see if this costume was actually used. There are several names written on the design, possibly of various performers over the years? <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLZ-FQMYovl1minPS7JlwSRJQMYsSNiMoC3PbaK4DGIKqWn9pppDiYKq2_lwJGU-Dre2oB8QUpSlwbsPnGmsxtp40FcVNv9O579ClfEvQ13qmHPNOVNQYJ4vRvwx3WYYWhNo0FZk9i3rD7rYWNT1d7VkUTBzNVClDglSTAwhmBMuQ7dRA2iIKsUny/s1080/Center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="1080" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLZ-FQMYovl1minPS7JlwSRJQMYsSNiMoC3PbaK4DGIKqWn9pppDiYKq2_lwJGU-Dre2oB8QUpSlwbsPnGmsxtp40FcVNv9O579ClfEvQ13qmHPNOVNQYJ4vRvwx3WYYWhNo0FZk9i3rD7rYWNT1d7VkUTBzNVClDglSTAwhmBMuQ7dRA2iIKsUny/w400-h280/Center.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>The artist donated a large number of his designs to The Victoria and Albert Museum in 1996.<br />Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-17878815701386384662022-07-18T20:30:00.000-05:002022-07-18T20:30:32.075-05:00Denslow's Red Riding Hood<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hvbU6UiuOn2tINXVNsNBCVSRWyw8daphsLFBBcxMFVxijtUl6iNcieP_V3YmCyzTsuxonqWUVhiPTdL8SnXpvJD1gni5dcyNLwK1nd8bUc-jT0eRRvTVBrut41t5MBmiwXd6TaBpDAatSTwZ1UYwQPCPpombPEN3sCMPAFGUqRelHVMuWv40PWZM/s2194/Rear%20Cover%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2078" data-original-width="2194" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hvbU6UiuOn2tINXVNsNBCVSRWyw8daphsLFBBcxMFVxijtUl6iNcieP_V3YmCyzTsuxonqWUVhiPTdL8SnXpvJD1gni5dcyNLwK1nd8bUc-jT0eRRvTVBrut41t5MBmiwXd6TaBpDAatSTwZ1UYwQPCPpombPEN3sCMPAFGUqRelHVMuWv40PWZM/s320/Rear%20Cover%20copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>In December 1902, the comic section of <i>The New York Herald</i> published four adaptations of classic stories, rewritten and illustrated by W. W Denslow. These would be the genesis for the series of Denslow's Picture Books for Children, which were published by Charles Dillingham in 1903 and 1904.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2cou0g4PuA-U7Y-JBzKevjciYf65Kim6CYg8RRhrYlK5qdwm-fEO3gfk_HntHzrRmNOBOCvw0TV4GAJvCkTLYH4AUpxYEvWtoZN88Uo6VOXE8KyDbU_hLXAzm_6P3Xu06UAVKIpSV1lRdqzLOV84eC2_VUVyHjLNxIi5M0Y2_OuBTl2Ub68cY-Dy/s1080/Red%20Riding%20Hood.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="746" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2cou0g4PuA-U7Y-JBzKevjciYf65Kim6CYg8RRhrYlK5qdwm-fEO3gfk_HntHzrRmNOBOCvw0TV4GAJvCkTLYH4AUpxYEvWtoZN88Uo6VOXE8KyDbU_hLXAzm_6P3Xu06UAVKIpSV1lRdqzLOV84eC2_VUVyHjLNxIi5M0Y2_OuBTl2Ub68cY-Dy/s320/Red%20Riding%20Hood.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>Among these first stories was Little Red Riding Hood, adapted in poetic form and revised to eliminate horrors - in this case, Grandma subdues the wolf and he becomes as tame as a pet dog. This idea of eliminating nightmares from stories for children was common to both Denslow and L. Frank Baum; Baum writes of this concept in the introduction to his modern fairy tale, <i>The Wonderful Wizard of Oz</i>. As to how successful they were at achieving their goal is another question! <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccY8ymdkNucM19gjZqjdQshsWBA8x_T0mSW-J8sBsfgOGyuRmt63xKprtIE3uUVmFX96JIuUDQkqUzbo8K-bcrlduuP0FgVH_R1z0a4tSTyTVT0NLcUSnwuOlZntHq9mgLB4WsGqLBI79UQa51rX-joGWKCxLhMd6gCxh8infoSPNNmuwTo0ntcAQ/s3462/%20Red%20Riding%20.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3462" data-original-width="2338" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccY8ymdkNucM19gjZqjdQshsWBA8x_T0mSW-J8sBsfgOGyuRmt63xKprtIE3uUVmFX96JIuUDQkqUzbo8K-bcrlduuP0FgVH_R1z0a4tSTyTVT0NLcUSnwuOlZntHq9mgLB4WsGqLBI79UQa51rX-joGWKCxLhMd6gCxh8infoSPNNmuwTo0ntcAQ/s320/%20Red%20Riding%20.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>At any rate, here is an original piece of the artwork from this story. Red Riding Hood is seated in a high chair as the newly domesticated Wolf begs for a treat. Various traces of preliminary pencil work can be seen, which is always an interesting part of viewing original artwork!<br /><p></p><p>The drawing is cut from a larger sheet, and mounted on a backing piece. I seem to remember hearing that some of Denslow’s newspaper comic drawings suffered water damage many years ago, while in the possession of a book dealer. Consequently, what could be salvaged was cut from the various pages for later sale. At least the artwork was not entirely scrapped!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xu5FD1QbHcWfN3tYbiBA_fa1pzeewfxS3jwqLHDRVrLkZbBhAQkoG2S3Hs44h7_sub08uptKV8xZ8xf6AHAWRaPdjsWKQp5tmZ6pqMR8511jWnrBgJeJl4Xio2tZA4MD21QU9x-e3l1vBMgtN_LRRFPY8EucId0aD1oyUlSirQVEC1u3qkpT5lpW/s5100/Rear%20Covers.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3362" data-original-width="5100" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xu5FD1QbHcWfN3tYbiBA_fa1pzeewfxS3jwqLHDRVrLkZbBhAQkoG2S3Hs44h7_sub08uptKV8xZ8xf6AHAWRaPdjsWKQp5tmZ6pqMR8511jWnrBgJeJl4Xio2tZA4MD21QU9x-e3l1vBMgtN_LRRFPY8EucId0aD1oyUlSirQVEC1u3qkpT5lpW/w400-h264/Rear%20Covers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p>Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-22431588906892321682022-07-10T12:58:00.000-05:002022-07-10T12:58:36.071-05:00Publicity, Publicity!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3y4oP47Sg2KCnyAlqjUl7FHNeHcu-UeoTbISvJYExDm4PBodfEc2Lj1I24VXjIO2VV_DwCAKwjeCVkTsMneaZ-_aYJavhXLmiHxsRY5Nn-WbI1JRbmCuiANDPvuwvjv0BmvWDluT_pcJOkJLp1t_UXFISVuaPGF2pO0oTXwqm3TagknwAThr8C6U/s906/Walsh:Stone.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="852" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3y4oP47Sg2KCnyAlqjUl7FHNeHcu-UeoTbISvJYExDm4PBodfEc2Lj1I24VXjIO2VV_DwCAKwjeCVkTsMneaZ-_aYJavhXLmiHxsRY5Nn-WbI1JRbmCuiANDPvuwvjv0BmvWDluT_pcJOkJLp1t_UXFISVuaPGF2pO0oTXwqm3TagknwAThr8C6U/s320/Walsh:Stone.png" width="301" /></a></div><br />The 1903 production of <i>The Wizard of Oz</i> made stars of Fred Stone and David Montgomery, and their performances certainly deserve credit for a great deal of the success of the show. But there were also performers behind the scenes, working tirelessly to promote the Broadway smash, and keep it steadily in the public eye.<p></p><p>Townsend Walsh (1872 - 1935) was the business manager of the show, and the man responsible for promotion and publicity. He worked closely with Fred Hamlin, the producer, and John Flaherty, manager of the Majestic Theatre. The image above shows Walsh shaking hands with Fred Stone as the Scarecrow; this was used in a souvenir album of the show, indicating the importance of Walsh's work.<br /></p><p>Here are two examples of letters sent to help in promoting the show, already a striking success. The first is dated April 8, 1903 and written by Walsh, to the dramatic editor of an unnamed paper. In a very straightforward way, he offers free tickets in exchange for printing a notice concerning <i>The Wizard of Oz</i>. The editor is offered free tickets for the rest of the season, which seems a rather generous offer.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzWYbhvwNqrM8J1kyuPVWjvKImqC-bhW6NMcTnL0BSnDefbTjAjYk-SWjJJKG-rUaE9FZIb6rXeijrYfdmUgA_13b3CHv_95DiSIpcKJvuWK_8Nz-umhN4zIYUHTtwf-x4_nyW-wxDpJQs5YeTuoReIdy34vMMhks7yqapIC6keF03Ufwyes3SKvO/s878/Walsh.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="878" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzWYbhvwNqrM8J1kyuPVWjvKImqC-bhW6NMcTnL0BSnDefbTjAjYk-SWjJJKG-rUaE9FZIb6rXeijrYfdmUgA_13b3CHv_95DiSIpcKJvuWK_8Nz-umhN4zIYUHTtwf-x4_nyW-wxDpJQs5YeTuoReIdy34vMMhks7yqapIC6keF03Ufwyes3SKvO/s320/Walsh.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The second is a little later, July 17th 1903, and written by Flaherty. Once again, a free viewing of the show is offered in exchange for printing an article about the production. However, the terms aren't quite so generous - rather than being offered free tickets for the rest of the season, a single performance is offered, with the exclusion of Saturday nights and Souvenir performances.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifXyOv-lv1H9C_qXScatwJ1wFk2kqn8gwebk-Fxa12DYsmj7Hu_pAEdL49sQ-Nk0Ug1eMVaRaGDOPgVu_2Bl2vdAng3AA6xWpsbbpagbckm_KIkUC22QtJPATSvbje5eNb_6HkkyC7P9r1t5GTfvRJ0zEh4HXKrChuiOdWKcdHjOX7deR_qc-cyBd/s800/Flaherty.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="630" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifXyOv-lv1H9C_qXScatwJ1wFk2kqn8gwebk-Fxa12DYsmj7Hu_pAEdL49sQ-Nk0Ug1eMVaRaGDOPgVu_2Bl2vdAng3AA6xWpsbbpagbckm_KIkUC22QtJPATSvbje5eNb_6HkkyC7P9r1t5GTfvRJ0zEh4HXKrChuiOdWKcdHjOX7deR_qc-cyBd/s320/Flaherty.jpeg" width="252" /></a></div>Clearly the show was doing good business, so seats might as well be saved for ticket buyers!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4pCjldy0LjpNMnW1toxIyLcag_BLw85Xo2evXe6NcdirwayG0_UqlqcuIUeHGPn-mu0dz-YKxTQYxW6_SxKP3qWbM3WNL8M4dKbofg5gfaf1lXjwC0pXCOcHIBHkaJphLVTSQXyCj93gHTPYimv9qOxTtej3DM9TBOOUNOJQh7MKkCmFcE7_Gvj8/s864/Rockland%20County%20Times%20.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="475" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4pCjldy0LjpNMnW1toxIyLcag_BLw85Xo2evXe6NcdirwayG0_UqlqcuIUeHGPn-mu0dz-YKxTQYxW6_SxKP3qWbM3WNL8M4dKbofg5gfaf1lXjwC0pXCOcHIBHkaJphLVTSQXyCj93gHTPYimv9qOxTtej3DM9TBOOUNOJQh7MKkCmFcE7_Gvj8/s320/Rockland%20County%20Times%20.png" width="176" /></a></div><p>This second letter is addressed to the editor of the Times in Haverstraw, NY. I think this may be the Rockland County Times, which did publish a blurb on the show two weeks later, on August 1st. Whether this is the article mentioned in the letter, I do not know - but it's a possibility!</p><p>The New York Public Library holds an archive of material that belonged to Walsh, including the lovely little Denslow drawing of the Scarecrow shown below. I haven't viewed the archive, but it might be an interesting future project!<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrM2V88XZ2XksupAWAVWxQWKa6ywHuWqGucpFqXfzxW380JPRQggkWTLqCpR0qESAQJP649Mwef1cHt1INMv_LXfPFuCOr3BQXgfJJVLqGcLtX6QsknKwDs7oqX3s_N8mSV3qaIqcYEazVUF_WnKyqf0mIxF8ofoR3d9mjykDTd4rF1j0wd5bpnKL/s1139/Scarecrow.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="1139" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrM2V88XZ2XksupAWAVWxQWKa6ywHuWqGucpFqXfzxW380JPRQggkWTLqCpR0qESAQJP649Mwef1cHt1INMv_LXfPFuCOr3BQXgfJJVLqGcLtX6QsknKwDs7oqX3s_N8mSV3qaIqcYEazVUF_WnKyqf0mIxF8ofoR3d9mjykDTd4rF1j0wd5bpnKL/s320/Scarecrow.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p>Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-90260452912783730102022-07-03T16:55:00.001-05:002022-07-03T16:55:50.388-05:00Christmas in July<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieT2MKLWqpt5_pPRWjgls346xkk0mhGVW4tibB6--6-O3L3mHNo1n6t1mVO-zrNgjA4kyAVj4TAsFuUOPFXHvNVVx-nwgnYd7NR6YBvBQtjBEC3u_y25-MJ9wCIS7jSX9cHAgu6QWDfpmE2g_RyPPaRwVLtn6yZ_BzevHjc1lU7Q37W0oLP2hAWdUS/s1080/Stocking%20Box%20:Books%20sm.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="813" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieT2MKLWqpt5_pPRWjgls346xkk0mhGVW4tibB6--6-O3L3mHNo1n6t1mVO-zrNgjA4kyAVj4TAsFuUOPFXHvNVVx-nwgnYd7NR6YBvBQtjBEC3u_y25-MJ9wCIS7jSX9cHAgu6QWDfpmE2g_RyPPaRwVLtn6yZ_BzevHjc1lU7Q37W0oLP2hAWdUS/w301-h400/Stocking%20Box%20:Books%20sm.jpeg" width="301" /></a></div><p>Reilly & Britton published The Christmas Stocking Series in 1905, and it proved to be a popular item. The series of six small books continued in print into the 1920s, utilizing several different packaging formats. I recently picked up one of the early variations.</p><p>This particular version pairs two of the books together in a titled box. The books were published with red, burgundy, green, or blue cloth spines and back covers - these copies have the blue cloth. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsv6Ro9sWxXN8SkhTNh7Epj6Odlbeqcd2DJJcGlr0QP0rz8xhZPmbQQ9v2k50NUngyHZVgywVYeIfDy5lxx2UiUnDM_bDcZIrstHkLPps1c4Uy50MEIMjoRSoykBNRI7Wk0X5y75iv3E9IQudxx07V-BDgTzUt-pN3eVRd1oZ2aPRbeKjHuglFNfv/s864/Intro%20sm.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="660" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsv6Ro9sWxXN8SkhTNh7Epj6Odlbeqcd2DJJcGlr0QP0rz8xhZPmbQQ9v2k50NUngyHZVgywVYeIfDy5lxx2UiUnDM_bDcZIrstHkLPps1c4Uy50MEIMjoRSoykBNRI7Wk0X5y75iv3E9IQudxx07V-BDgTzUt-pN3eVRd1oZ2aPRbeKjHuglFNfv/s320/Intro%20sm.jpeg" width="244" /></a></div><p>The series is of interest to Oz fans because of the introduction, written by L. Frank Baum and used in each small book. This short essay tells the origin of the Christmas stocking, and was written specifically for this series. It was well promoted in publicity for the books, and provided a good selling point.</p><p>Another later variation, ca. 1913, was the steamer trunk box; I've shown this before but here it is again for comparison. All six titles were housed in a fanciful cardboard trunk, covered in whimsical travel labels. The bindings of the books had changed by this time, to red boards with a green holly design. This packaging remained in use into the 1920s.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykpr2GmwkxIfZS5WvcHjrupst2mA8SmhQIMQz-CI3ZXl48crE5972rW_KSLvow3UFmbODSyYZ47A4oKPk8QuAcVSaf6C3kHlmthXylSsYb9nhHbFfJ7Os8SKVsNTFfCsDfGWVArMEYpx0-QcLBXxW48Pa5TyT1vFNq0wt5kQbkFP4K9bf-EwF0nhW/s864/Trunk.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="864" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykpr2GmwkxIfZS5WvcHjrupst2mA8SmhQIMQz-CI3ZXl48crE5972rW_KSLvow3UFmbODSyYZ47A4oKPk8QuAcVSaf6C3kHlmthXylSsYb9nhHbFfJ7Os8SKVsNTFfCsDfGWVArMEYpx0-QcLBXxW48Pa5TyT1vFNq0wt5kQbkFP4K9bf-EwF0nhW/s320/Trunk.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZ_0QA4NufL1pTkO4EOUXG8gGbYxX85vXJ_x2FXybuqARXJTLCkd19KZhsgbHIBffEEvrOb4wJX3I1PbmRlY0SMDJhwpNFvjxy2IRCfKd014HMrhmVS88OeEHvWsN0yct0Vuegb7WbqUQ0FADrXsg9fOhqUbfnSM2Pl017lVN4qyI5_0Hzw5PDyuW/s1296/Trunk%20&%20books.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="1296" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZ_0QA4NufL1pTkO4EOUXG8gGbYxX85vXJ_x2FXybuqARXJTLCkd19KZhsgbHIBffEEvrOb4wJX3I1PbmRlY0SMDJhwpNFvjxy2IRCfKd014HMrhmVS88OeEHvWsN0yct0Vuegb7WbqUQ0FADrXsg9fOhqUbfnSM2Pl017lVN4qyI5_0Hzw5PDyuW/s320/Trunk%20&%20books.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-3980143980590128232022-06-26T13:48:00.007-05:002022-06-26T23:42:03.113-05:00Not Just Kid's Stuff!<p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEol5wrchtAPILU_al7ok7AF2P30TwtmEo1KkjadpTS5miehJLSX1TiZd-41rwTAkkhheZ0g7T7gxZ5uuluRmVLJHE0zFihqyTTanWRLwVcQxOhO5nbLZZTtlr554Q09jA4NPY4p8iIZG9ECsHfCWT51JVYwaY1gMNIgHmqJn2HXDoxGKISz9vTSa/s1649/blank%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1649" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEol5wrchtAPILU_al7ok7AF2P30TwtmEo1KkjadpTS5miehJLSX1TiZd-41rwTAkkhheZ0g7T7gxZ5uuluRmVLJHE0zFihqyTTanWRLwVcQxOhO5nbLZZTtlr554Q09jA4NPY4p8iIZG9ECsHfCWT51JVYwaY1gMNIgHmqJn2HXDoxGKISz9vTSa/w400-h261/blank%20copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>An interesting auction ended today; two original drawings by W. W. Denslow, used as color plates in <i>The Wonderful Wizard of Oz</i>, were sold by Bradford's Auction Gallery, located in Sun City, Arizona.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Artwork from <i>Wonderful Wizard</i> is rarely sold, and the full page drawings used as color plates are more
or less unheard of; but in the course of a little over a year, three have now turned up!</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bTWL64lEhyY86pl0goB6g9JORHFObtGuPH_vyiO50Kt33pkjKTGh8gcL1Qe6rGPPHLcI8KqdVeWAMEP_MRq1heV-6ts263FnNr7dGMmim3DVjKq7ZlRiWCdl30nXcompVHGtkSorTWKhl68zWmwitL1wqmvzC8uBA-xqH_TECGcGe0c2XD-ZGU4h/s842/1_orig.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="655" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bTWL64lEhyY86pl0goB6g9JORHFObtGuPH_vyiO50Kt33pkjKTGh8gcL1Qe6rGPPHLcI8KqdVeWAMEP_MRq1heV-6ts263FnNr7dGMmim3DVjKq7ZlRiWCdl30nXcompVHGtkSorTWKhl68zWmwitL1wqmvzC8uBA-xqH_TECGcGe0c2XD-ZGU4h/w156-h200/1_orig.jpg" width="156" /></a></div>One example is in
private hands, and was identified on Brady Schwind's <i>Lost Art of Oz</i> blog - <a href="https://www.lostartofoz.com/lost-art-of-oz-blog/lost-art-found">https://www.lostartofoz.com/lost-art-of-oz-blog/lost-art-found</a> <p></p><p style="text-align: left;">The two that sold today were in the estate of a collector in Arizona; it's fascinating to see where unknown art pops up, and I can't help wondering where the drawings were prior to being in that collection. I'm afraid they didn't come this way - while I did put in a bid, I had no expectations of winning the auction!<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A number of drawings from the first Oz book are in the collection of the New York Public Library, but there are still many that are unaccounted for, and could possibly be in unknown locations. But be prepared - if you hope to buy an example of Denslow's work from <i>Wonderful Wizard</i>, you'll need deep pockets; the final bids on todays pieces do not include the 25% buyer's premium that gets added to the total! </p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTsGH5OcCzHdx4EyeTe6sUggDmpgWj0lzdg7y-48zIBANEb1Z9IIZY9rMLKyPJVAHlFb_p5miPBVJZOQr5bEmbbmZDxPu7BW6clwzmImZkYkJvRH_SVhHS1KtqHlCUXw38AFv4b_EWB4bmnRhao4q6MMBBUPXDykCirYREfAApDGXyE-kzhHwigRg/s2048/IMG_2340.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1405" data-original-width="2048" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTsGH5OcCzHdx4EyeTe6sUggDmpgWj0lzdg7y-48zIBANEb1Z9IIZY9rMLKyPJVAHlFb_p5miPBVJZOQr5bEmbbmZDxPu7BW6clwzmImZkYkJvRH_SVhHS1KtqHlCUXw38AFv4b_EWB4bmnRhao4q6MMBBUPXDykCirYREfAApDGXyE-kzhHwigRg/w400-h275/IMG_2340.PNG" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2kPF_0IvzUvQiT9czKAAEcgD49-xScejOPw_JZsOWmOHEuzFUOVPeG2elvNPU0ToDwO0hAGGKlmoPtWvYKoMSLdhySCk8D7CZflRn8DkYt9hAzB2QYYyzqxHD-n4AWy8wKZNwvLgYhrKdIxx3G130G5_6lPuAN8qokywkry7cS7KYPbHfa42BfV2/s2048/IMG_2339.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1387" data-original-width="2048" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2kPF_0IvzUvQiT9czKAAEcgD49-xScejOPw_JZsOWmOHEuzFUOVPeG2elvNPU0ToDwO0hAGGKlmoPtWvYKoMSLdhySCk8D7CZflRn8DkYt9hAzB2QYYyzqxHD-n4AWy8wKZNwvLgYhrKdIxx3G130G5_6lPuAN8qokywkry7cS7KYPbHfa42BfV2/w400-h271/IMG_2339.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-38022885008712670022022-06-25T09:30:00.001-05:002022-06-26T23:42:14.007-05:003 by Denslow<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_p64-d7MrDJAbpOsOG_as4JIAeMOqR4KirwsnLaWj-su13bxHko28lebVceRyvt_mMMhGIOeTdhWGg2mcse_FLMEPLdO8VGAOQ9naG-8oIfz04OQKsHhnt4BbosmVsrnuHDXzMkDEzAzmepN9cmns-igrp74pAcZZ9Qxz57AfFNiTZQCoacdlw34/s1279/Covers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="1279" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_p64-d7MrDJAbpOsOG_as4JIAeMOqR4KirwsnLaWj-su13bxHko28lebVceRyvt_mMMhGIOeTdhWGg2mcse_FLMEPLdO8VGAOQ9naG-8oIfz04OQKsHhnt4BbosmVsrnuHDXzMkDEzAzmepN9cmns-igrp74pAcZZ9Qxz57AfFNiTZQCoacdlw34/w400-h184/Covers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>It’s been quite a while since I’ve shown a Rand McNally title with cover art by W. W. Denslow, and here I have three! </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">The first is <i>Hernani the Jew</i>, written by A. N. Homer and published in 1897. This is a classic example of Denslow’s “shield” style of cover design, using some basic elements found in a number of his other covers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR824VQcCIGC8jeWWSppkPAPaVhUst4cd5PKCKVT5fR56I5DCStpPJQ468HkCh-yf4lsTg1Cogp5KyPV49exvCzsqWcnlj0gQO4jqNxPQkRqSOWKTL9Lj4FbDkazmHwB5Ce7VlP1JRo4U/s884/Hernani+Covers+sm.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="884" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR824VQcCIGC8jeWWSppkPAPaVhUst4cd5PKCKVT5fR56I5DCStpPJQ468HkCh-yf4lsTg1Cogp5KyPV49exvCzsqWcnlj0gQO4jqNxPQkRqSOWKTL9Lj4FbDkazmHwB5Ce7VlP1JRo4U/s320/Hernani+Covers+sm.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The story concerns the marital misunderstandings of Hernani, a wealthy banker, and his wife. The setting is Poland, with the backdrop of the unsuccessful January Uprising of 1863. The red and white eagle, emblem of Poland, is the main feature of the cover, together with a pair of torches and a sword and crown on the spine. On the rear cover, we see a profile of Sara, the wife of Hernani. The story is one of loss, both of country and wealth, while Poland was under the control of Russia. It ends on a happier note, but is rather depressing overall.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>The next is My Invisible Partner, by Thomas S. Denison and published in 1898. This is a sparser style of design, with elements scattered across the front and rear covers, and featuring some very Ozzy looking poppies!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0dkQWmtBVBL52sxP91ky9MNA7jT7MiIgTQCF8Xg7AZ4DM4r9qsuiPBe0mme-K5SYw-zVpXt67yYt1Erw5dCMEvqmABgt1svfdNIPXuIGtoU45F5uFWKP9aBnvEIirGwy62hs-6lR6JLePNOToqtNlZJgoLfG17TkipCUglKC1mpItku_jWPVrf8Z/s876/Invisible%20Partner%20full%20sm.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="876" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0dkQWmtBVBL52sxP91ky9MNA7jT7MiIgTQCF8Xg7AZ4DM4r9qsuiPBe0mme-K5SYw-zVpXt67yYt1Erw5dCMEvqmABgt1svfdNIPXuIGtoU45F5uFWKP9aBnvEIirGwy62hs-6lR6JLePNOToqtNlZJgoLfG17TkipCUglKC1mpItku_jWPVrf8Z/s320/Invisible%20Partner%20full%20sm.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>This is billed as a story of the supernatural, and primarily takes place in New Mexico, with detours to Michigan. It’s a tale of mining life, romance and murder, with a main character who is subjected to several out-of-body experiences, and a mystery solved by the discovery of an unknown twin. </p><p>Finally we have A Daughter of Cuba, by Helen M. Bowen, published in 1898. This title combines a shield design with a landscape, including a poison ring on the rear cover.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DoBsweVyFF6bKyieu_YaBSeP84NksmFFcnbKr1t97SqiusiBWpxCPKnGjrLLfwLleysoy49wO46lg4M9mti6ksQ3Hzo5Vc4XcdwMO6VkuaNnii7T3o6vbKibB9DCCMV77tLqgqGw3CKYgMTV55owUwXVxFZcGgLHq8MYKhkjM34Cp0vp4NGkC98T/s888/Daughter%20of%20Cuba%20sm%20copy.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="888" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DoBsweVyFF6bKyieu_YaBSeP84NksmFFcnbKr1t97SqiusiBWpxCPKnGjrLLfwLleysoy49wO46lg4M9mti6ksQ3Hzo5Vc4XcdwMO6VkuaNnii7T3o6vbKibB9DCCMV77tLqgqGw3CKYgMTV55owUwXVxFZcGgLHq8MYKhkjM34Cp0vp4NGkC98T/s320/Daughter%20of%20Cuba%20sm%20copy.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Events take place during the Cuban revolution of 1897, leading up to the entrance of America into the Spanish American war. The daughter of a wealthy planter is committed to the Cuban cause, and inspires others to join her campaign. Bandits, a lost heir, an American journalist and of course that poison ring all play parts in the story.<br /><br /><p></p>Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-88335856712605000182022-06-13T10:37:00.007-05:002022-06-26T23:42:24.319-05:00Macaronis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rpj7qxXgBVQ1hFseHesZuLoaPsmu_8ZVosJQP1Dz80lEypnojku_sOvslnqP-fSavE0GFYEUxr9SRCwFz3p94YfxpaX2EW3lgBLly1VLzK8bn_rf5d3nPHD63YiTu2PO4ZF9kLgxqUe3SoHzudCiqTiktePepgMj47YMGV5ulAqZQC0iDgtJf3Vx/s985/Macaronis%20sm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="705" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rpj7qxXgBVQ1hFseHesZuLoaPsmu_8ZVosJQP1Dz80lEypnojku_sOvslnqP-fSavE0GFYEUxr9SRCwFz3p94YfxpaX2EW3lgBLly1VLzK8bn_rf5d3nPHD63YiTu2PO4ZF9kLgxqUe3SoHzudCiqTiktePepgMj47YMGV5ulAqZQC0iDgtJf3Vx/w286-h400/Macaronis%20sm.jpg" width="286" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <i>Life Among the Macaronis</i> was a series of comical drawings created by John R. Neill, and published in <i>The Sunday Magazine</i>,
a syndicated Sunday newspaper supplement used by a variety of papers around the
country. The magazine was in circulation from 1904 through 1916, using a
small title change depending on what city and paper it supplemented. Neill seems to have contributed around the period of 1904 - 1906.</div><p></p><p>This example was the rear cover of the May 15th, 1904 issue, not long before the publication of Neill's first Oz work in <i>The Marvelous Land of Oz</i>.
The series of limericks were written by Neill, to accompany his
humorous drawings. Postcards of the characters were also produced; here
are three examples, distributed by the Boston Sunday Post, showing cropped versions of the characters seen above: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF09gbepWHTj4FkiBR_aYNerOAlDvIkvPyrHW02m2EAW2MhexpMY20Md0DcWEkKfj_RLw2WBSvfpGxeYZ3XJ-iGMo2_wg__m8JQgKiX4z8JPp91679RCu8gJDvQwfJ7PkutobJyi50yOHfZEVQogFcaCLufn77MhnvkLjX_G6y3H7gBWFf-diz1yyQ/s1800/Macaroni%20cards.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1800" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF09gbepWHTj4FkiBR_aYNerOAlDvIkvPyrHW02m2EAW2MhexpMY20Md0DcWEkKfj_RLw2WBSvfpGxeYZ3XJ-iGMo2_wg__m8JQgKiX4z8JPp91679RCu8gJDvQwfJ7PkutobJyi50yOHfZEVQogFcaCLufn77MhnvkLjX_G6y3H7gBWFf-diz1yyQ/w400-h171/Macaroni%20cards.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>The individual cards have been titled “Off for the links”, “A terrific drive”, and “A disaster on the links”. The extra space at the right of each card was for jotting a short message - the back of early postcards was reserved for an address, no additional writing.</p><p>Neill seems to have been fond of his Macaronis; he used the same elongated figures over a number of years, as seen in a 1901 single panel Christmas cartoon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NxxSnnAULw3ershxcRIJZjlGKWu6_EDWU12yPkl2McLXYufsItIJ52eDHK5srgv13DIgFkJiFWdp07b9OYeheHA1JZutP2mgzUuI99nFH_Ez_yXeP3rD1vqeaSLTyWeDOD6js3H-fjeNNKHP-PwrgNE_ELQHvqLiFW8iq-9AodjY-Il43yO1fjiC/s864/Apples.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="864" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NxxSnnAULw3ershxcRIJZjlGKWu6_EDWU12yPkl2McLXYufsItIJ52eDHK5srgv13DIgFkJiFWdp07b9OYeheHA1JZutP2mgzUuI99nFH_Ez_yXeP3rD1vqeaSLTyWeDOD6js3H-fjeNNKHP-PwrgNE_ELQHvqLiFW8iq-9AodjY-Il43yO1fjiC/w400-h336/Apples.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They also bear a strong resemblance to the Soldier with the Green Whiskers in 1904's <i>The Marvelous Land of Oz</i>, and the Hilanders in <i>John Dough and the Cherub</i>, from 1906 -<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLG4ctUD4SaWQ0KdH40R8CDMBLAbjoLdiVDQtoXBT3NjkfE7qbnuWGdRTwm4rDyydvTAoIjAiTNcjn37RKZXXiBWkFaoHDMZFZdmUcHj74eUP7vrmhtx7AKHGi2vZ97oBZcKS4N6MZAwAzZEnQIUUchNckb5FIIQNvNqbkheniM9cGe3TkpNWvaEa/s1041/Soldier:Hiland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="1041" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLG4ctUD4SaWQ0KdH40R8CDMBLAbjoLdiVDQtoXBT3NjkfE7qbnuWGdRTwm4rDyydvTAoIjAiTNcjn37RKZXXiBWkFaoHDMZFZdmUcHj74eUP7vrmhtx7AKHGi2vZ97oBZcKS4N6MZAwAzZEnQIUUchNckb5FIIQNvNqbkheniM9cGe3TkpNWvaEa/w400-h279/Soldier:Hiland.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Here's an undated original drawing by Neill, of a musical Macaroni puffing on a horn and surrounded by other whimsical wind instruments. This piece is inscribed "To my old friend M. L. Stein", over the artist's signature.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUqL1-mx68JxyekVKW9cCrjJbndtomX3oF_ZA1kjuAcNtjg2bj7YF2DnaF6UkekUa5VFMXPmV8ePSsxUDbb6ejj7JHb81pEp4snjPeabEEA5JFR87PVCpXgRLtNeyvPk1xlrM4Q-PaE6z8fuCDV6uWKVQI_uW0e6p10VjWBwhh-47eXq4tqnetGzr/s850/Macaroni%20.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="614" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUqL1-mx68JxyekVKW9cCrjJbndtomX3oF_ZA1kjuAcNtjg2bj7YF2DnaF6UkekUa5VFMXPmV8ePSsxUDbb6ejj7JHb81pEp4snjPeabEEA5JFR87PVCpXgRLtNeyvPk1xlrM4Q-PaE6z8fuCDV6uWKVQI_uW0e6p10VjWBwhh-47eXq4tqnetGzr/w289-h400/Macaroni%20.jpeg" width="289" /></a></div></div><p>A Macaroni was a late 18th century fop or dandy, an overly elegant figure
extravagant in clothing and manner. This helps explain the traditional lyric
from Yankee Doodle Dandy - "Stuck a feather in his cap and called it
macaroni"!<br /></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfR-8I_nstMVesnIwvcqrXhaS1JiEH7qdc-3OSh_9lOfp81rFtRklGjI6ucZ4vf1YougkS1XhXr7kpaQeF4EEMOm2sukdUwqtlsNW0vtr9r6OO78U7PY2xNM-JTJ0iO8eYxSCMUBxormvoGWvZnnDzh8uh3HWUC_-_upSvyTZtjMl_6-Brm77gh6A/s1386/Macaronis%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="1386" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfR-8I_nstMVesnIwvcqrXhaS1JiEH7qdc-3OSh_9lOfp81rFtRklGjI6ucZ4vf1YougkS1XhXr7kpaQeF4EEMOm2sukdUwqtlsNW0vtr9r6OO78U7PY2xNM-JTJ0iO8eYxSCMUBxormvoGWvZnnDzh8uh3HWUC_-_upSvyTZtjMl_6-Brm77gh6A/w400-h179/Macaronis%20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342561433004208609.post-59746960166147216382022-04-25T18:26:00.003-05:002022-06-26T23:42:32.641-05:00The Girl from Up There<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ17Gi3x0g51WbJ_nxD6Be-We_FAoeCwo1HIcAIY0bWFeyI-UIvSAH2s_SNypl8XrEPThwfEPDurJ69WqhsWBgqf8yZzuN-ItV2dAT2Y8kS_E79ALmsfSsRVWTt18qGu4UkVsL3IPbLWExm6enqR0AwYJuEQi-LVT2cyzooM6Qri3lMazYgWS8M7kn/s679/Pirates.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="535" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ17Gi3x0g51WbJ_nxD6Be-We_FAoeCwo1HIcAIY0bWFeyI-UIvSAH2s_SNypl8XrEPThwfEPDurJ69WqhsWBgqf8yZzuN-ItV2dAT2Y8kS_E79ALmsfSsRVWTt18qGu4UkVsL3IPbLWExm6enqR0AwYJuEQi-LVT2cyzooM6Qri3lMazYgWS8M7kn/w316-h400/Pirates.jpeg" width="316" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In 1903 the vaudeville team of Montgomery & Stone achieved Broadway stardom in <i>The Wizard of Oz</i>. But it wasn’t their first time on Broadway; in 1901, they were featured in <i>The Girl from Up There</i>,<i> </i>starring Edna May, book and lyrics by Hugh Morton and music by Gustave Kerker; one of the many musical comedies to grace Broadway during that time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjozF5abULbcAKKMaIVn8WrV7k1-s0RNTO--JVRx79DWAoaHVQ45f9e5avcBJXLg_8QVzhF2jtLi9bL1B1ZtIaY1Z1hWsl50o1tICVQn0EmixGwbCAwY9y3Wv5PhmpoDXdU950MJIeXDNsF44D5r550xpICfsuDpcaimd8SeOzlaMEFI-YA4fVCOy/s735/Iceburg%20.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="553" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjozF5abULbcAKKMaIVn8WrV7k1-s0RNTO--JVRx79DWAoaHVQ45f9e5avcBJXLg_8QVzhF2jtLi9bL1B1ZtIaY1Z1hWsl50o1tICVQn0EmixGwbCAwY9y3Wv5PhmpoDXdU950MJIeXDNsF44D5r550xpICfsuDpcaimd8SeOzlaMEFI-YA4fVCOy/w302-h400/Iceburg%20.jpeg" width="302" /></a>The story begins in Polaria, near the North Pole, where a young lady has been frozen in ice for 500 years. She is freed by an explorer with an "electric knife", but in order to stay alive she must drink from the golden cup of Odin within 90 days. The cup was last known to be in the possession of pirates. David Montgomery & Fred Stone made a hit as the pirates (Solomon Scarlet and Christopher Grunt) who befriend the heroine.</p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6SHgQ86kVc-vrAf6CFQuOCgzLjmD07EwajSLaEIdgpei4wpKV6GHt6vqvzZrQbAoN8RHwcu9INXAK3QtnGymGJyd8V7pVly7-wwU-oUagfsuYuDYPiCw7awO8xnQPpQ5GgdboJE6BzLbh4lc5mu7zftwIT13EDVtdjRnv55QrmGOBCiDn7xFIJJP/s696/Pirates%20w%20Edna%20.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="546" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6SHgQ86kVc-vrAf6CFQuOCgzLjmD07EwajSLaEIdgpei4wpKV6GHt6vqvzZrQbAoN8RHwcu9INXAK3QtnGymGJyd8V7pVly7-wwU-oUagfsuYuDYPiCw7awO8xnQPpQ5GgdboJE6BzLbh4lc5mu7zftwIT13EDVtdjRnv55QrmGOBCiDn7xFIJJP/w314-h400/Pirates%20w%20Edna%20.jpeg" width="314" /></a> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUO9AU44IjkdsWGY7T15hqmnwQFFEa1gnESWLeTStZYLoBAFzlL8wLndHFeha6VKIvQQ3hXyqHGek7q2ZmyPpQLAkyggWeQekxG-AFflUnpnBNxKgkRCsw-bQOoMTpYDiBDZ3T1qp3T6pWM_H2P9iy7fDK7TIXqeQdJMBqAXuhX-1FFCPtS08UFJS/s720/Blackface.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="443" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUO9AU44IjkdsWGY7T15hqmnwQFFEa1gnESWLeTStZYLoBAFzlL8wLndHFeha6VKIvQQ3hXyqHGek7q2ZmyPpQLAkyggWeQekxG-AFflUnpnBNxKgkRCsw-bQOoMTpYDiBDZ3T1qp3T6pWM_H2P9iy7fDK7TIXqeQdJMBqAXuhX-1FFCPtS08UFJS/w123-h200/Blackface.jpg" width="123" /></a></div><p></p><p>Prior to that time, the pair had built a solid reputation as blackface comedians in vaudeville. When Charles Frohman hired them for the new show, he insisted they should put blackface behind them, and perform in “straight makeup”. This proved to be a success, and after the run of<i> The Girl From Up There,</i> the duo switched to their new routine. They took the successful new act to London, prior to returning to the USA and stardom in <i>The Wizard of Oz</i>.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFF3etfiSGEYG6d_iBNei_jJMRejr1c-KHagCDUY_TAeZ4wSk0kTF-DDL6oZPRN3-9KZsHDNkufQS5AsqJwCx1uJfwC9Nz0GPBauMLaqEMgq9LJIll9aWFc4iM2v8rTN4xPoNvm0aqcdZV7EcZpfQSO9SomHcXbQ94PjOyNrgJNmcZjDGwvX1vkezm/s720/Edna.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="497" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFF3etfiSGEYG6d_iBNei_jJMRejr1c-KHagCDUY_TAeZ4wSk0kTF-DDL6oZPRN3-9KZsHDNkufQS5AsqJwCx1uJfwC9Nz0GPBauMLaqEMgq9LJIll9aWFc4iM2v8rTN4xPoNvm0aqcdZV7EcZpfQSO9SomHcXbQ94PjOyNrgJNmcZjDGwvX1vkezm/w221-h320/Edna.jpeg" width="221" /></a>Edna May gained recognition in <i>The Belle of New York</i>, which ran moderately on Broadway before having a surprisingly successful run in London. While American critics were very much split concerning the talents of Miss May, she conquered London and was declared a star. She was then presented by Charles Frohman as star of his new show, originally announced as<i> The Golden Cup</i>. Perhaps he had some misgivings about her abilities, as he collected a very strong supporting cast to back up his new diva. As star, she collected the princely sum of $500 a week, a far cry from her $15 chorus days. In spite of this, the American critics weren't convinced by Edna in her new role, and a transfer of the show to London was not particularly successful; much was made of Edna appearing on stage in boys clothing for the first time, but even that novelty failed to save the show. However, Edna continued as a favorite of the British stage - as well as a popular subject for postcards! She married a millionaire in 1907 and retired from the theater. When her husband died in 1917, she inherited five million dollars.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0eAD-FQyA1fj4hAfvH_gaHFmUwsv5TRV4OtCHPTodTMTufsEbpADW4qA7kAlNm-tWKky5GlDtwH16pMP_xhjbuWyxGjdL2dEDSphKcJdsXtCv8gpD1JqAsH-3y9iGg-yURkqi1tIB-oBLWWzPFJSKJKFYQPhq1K-Lda4Fx1pwrTwWusc8IQs6rQ7/s1362/Edna%20May%20set.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1362" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0eAD-FQyA1fj4hAfvH_gaHFmUwsv5TRV4OtCHPTodTMTufsEbpADW4qA7kAlNm-tWKky5GlDtwH16pMP_xhjbuWyxGjdL2dEDSphKcJdsXtCv8gpD1JqAsH-3y9iGg-yURkqi1tIB-oBLWWzPFJSKJKFYQPhq1K-Lda4Fx1pwrTwWusc8IQs6rQ7/w400-h211/Edna%20May%20set.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are a number of minor L. Frank Baum/Oz connections with this show, aside from the presence of Montgomery & Stone. The drawings in this post are taken from the souvenir album of the production, which was published by R. H. Russell - publishers of Baum’s <i>A New Wonderland</i>. The drawings are by Archie Gunn, who would go on to design costumes for Baum’s show <i>The Wogglebug</i>. Julian Mitchell directed the piece, and the costumes of the show were designed by Caroline Siedle, both of whom performed the same jobs for <i>The Wizard of Oz</i>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See the comments for a closer connection between Edna May and L. Frank Baum!</div><p></p>Bill Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258626254481978155noreply@blogger.com2