Books

Chicago Geo. M. Hill Co., 1899. First Edition of Baum's Father Goose BAUM, L. Frank. Father Goose. His book. Pictures by Wm. W. Denslow. Chicago: Geo. M. Hill Co., [1899]. First edition, first issue. With no printed information about the edition on the copyright page. Large quarto (10 11/16 x 8 3/4 inches; 277 x 222 mm). With numerous full-page, color illustrations. Original pictorial boards. Very good condition, remarkably uncommon in this condition. The "first significant American color-plate children's book." Schiller 21. The first edition of Father Goose was published on September 25, 1899. To the astonishment of Hill and the delight of Baum and Denslow, it was so quickly sold out that a second edition of ten thousand copies was printed on October 16. By Christmas, 75,700 copies had been run off to meet the demand. On a single day, December 18, 1899, 3,934 copies were sold. Nor did interest in the book die with the holiday season. During 1900, this best seller required the printing of an additional thirty thousand copies, and the Tribune reported in June 1900 that "Father Goose, His Book last year achieved the record of having the largest sales of any juvenile in America." Father Goose with his old-fashioned skirted coat and twinkling eyes, like a comic Ben Franklin, was popular alike with the public and the book reviewers. "Father Goose is the new philosopher of the cradle and the fireplace," wrote the Times Herald. "As he comes in fancy masquerade, with clever yarns, bright ditties, and assurances that he will take off from Mother's shoulders a good deal of work, give him double welcome." Father Goose set the pattern in some ways for the format of the Oz books that were to come. Greene and Hanff. To Please a Child, Baum & MacFall. HBS 65986. Of course, Baum and Denslow collaborated on another classic that year for Hill -- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Housed in a custom-made collector's slipcase.

Father Goose His Book is a collection of humorous poetry for children written by L. Frank Baum. Released in 1899, the book presents a series of limericks and illustrations that were designed to amuse and entertain young readers.