Mother Goose in Prose BAUM, L. Frank Children,Fairy Tales,Illustrated Books

Mother Goose in Prose. Chicago: Way and Williams, 1897. Full Description: BAUM, L. Frank. [PARRISH, Maxfield, illustrator]. Mother Goose in Prose. Chicago: Way and Williams, [1897]. First edition, first issue with only the blank free endpaper after the imprint leaf. Quarto. 265, [3] pp. Twelve black and white plates (including frontispiece) by Maxfield Parrish. The title-page and picture title are also illustrated by Parrish and printed in red and black on glossy paper. Original light grey cloth pictorially stamped in color on front and back boards. Spine stamped in gilt. A few very light spots to cloth. Some very mild finger smudging. Overall a near fine copy of this book rarely found in such beautiful condition, perhaps the best we've seen. "Mother Goose in Prose was the first book illustrated by Maxfield Parrish [1870-1966]. By coincidence, it was also the first [juvenile] book written by L. Frank Baum [1856-1919], who later rose to fame as the author of The Wizard of Oz and other tales of the mythical country of Oz. The volume was not a collaboration in the true sense of the word, for the author and the artist never met.Imaginative in concept and executed with confidence and originality, the illustrations for Mother Goose in Prose brought Parrish immediate recognition as a young book illustrator of ability. An expression of strong individuality, the illustrations portray a bygone era that is the unique domain of the nursery rhyme or fairy tale.This series of black-and-white drawings illustrates Parrish s mastery of complicated technique and his ability to combine several media to achieve the desired effect." (Ludwig, Maxfield Parrish, p. 25). Baughman 44. HBS 69488. $5,000.