Originally published in The Baum Bugle, vol. 63, no. 2 (Autumn 2019), pg. 48
Citations
Chicago 17th ed.:
Crotzer, Sarah K. Review of 100th Anniversary Collection, by SeaWolf Press, Baum Bugle 63, no. 2 (2019): 48.
MLA 9th ed.:
Crotzer, Sarah K. Review of 100th Anniversary Collection, by SeaWolf Press, The Baum Bugle, vol. 63, no. 2, 2019, p. 48.
(Note: typographical errors have been left in place to accurately reflect the printed version.)
100TH ANNIVERSARY OZ COLLECTION by L. Frank Baum. SeaWolf Press, 2019. 14 volumes. Paperback, $8.45-$9.95.
Let’s be clear: when SeaWolf Press contacted me about their new print-on-demand paperback editions of L. Frank Baum’s Oz books, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I grew up with Del Rey’s attempts to rebrand Oz as mainstream fantasy for the mass market, and cool covers aside, I always slightly preferred Dover Press’ public domain reprints: they were bigger, the art was reproduced better, and the color plates were (usually) there in black-and-white. The concessions they made seemed like reasonable ones for their budget and intended audience.
Since then, I have seen a backslide, no doubt motivated by the ease of digital publishing: several public domain publishers, including Dover, now house their books in glossy, crudely computer-colored covers. Many use paper so thin as to be nearly newsprint grade, and some don’t include illustrations by Denslow, Neill—or anyone else.
SeaWolf’s mission appears to address these aesthetic points. Their “Illustrated First Editions,” inaugurated with titles by Mark Twain and Jack London, aim to recreate the experience of a classic volume on a modern budget. Original layouts and illustrations are included (in black-and-white), and the matte, color covers not only feature the original art but are designed to match the original cloth colors—an unexpectedly pleasing touch. For purposes of review, the Bugle was provided with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Ozma of Oz, and Tik-Tok of Oz.
Aside from overly light printing of Denslow’s internal art, which I am assured has been corrected, I found Wizard and Ozma to be smart, handsome volumes. Tik-Tok proved the outlier. While Amazon.com previews clearly show that most of SeaWolf’s Oz editions include the color plates in black-and-white, Tik-Tok was clearly scanned from a 1965 book without—and Dick Martin’s line art in place of the frontispiece! Once notified, SeaWolf responded immediately and promised an immediate change. That’s good: I would like to be able to give the full set as gifts!
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