Then, I remembered reading an article pointing out that early edition books appreciate in value, while later editions usually depreciate. When I started my quest for other Oz related books, I realized that later editions never had color illustrations, because those were eliminated to reduce cost of printing.
THE WIZARD OF OZ SERIES MOVIE
For example there is over five millions Wizard of Oz fans on Facebook group that quadruple in size within past 10 years and of course their some serious movie memorabilia collectors who are willing to pay millions of dollars for an original movie props.įor example, do you know that an original ruby slippers sold for $2 million, Cowardly Lion Costume for $3.1 million, Dorothy dress for $1.56 million, Original Wizard of Oz script sells for $1.28 million, Glinda’s wand for $400,000,Wicked Witch hat for $208,000 and rare copies of Wonderful Wizard of Oz for over $100,000 just to name a few.įor me, Oz book series is what I decided to place my effort.
There is a huge Oz community with some of them being collectors. It has also engendered a long series of sequels, stage plays and musicals, movies and television shows, biographies of Baum, scholarly studies of the significance of the book and film, advertisements, and toys, games, and other Oz-related products. The first totally American fantasy for children, it is one of the most-read children's books. Since its publication The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has become America's greatest and best-loved homegrown fairytale. Finally, when one re-reads the book at a mature age, with not only the benefit of life experience but also with the benefit of financial knowledge, one may begin to wonder whether there are parallels between the book and the national debt, need for reform, and the economy in general." However, when this book is being read or re-read by someone in his 30s the reader might in fact draw parallels between the US history and the political movements that might have been depicted in the book. "To a child who reads this book soon after she or he learns to read, this book represents magic – wonderful, pure, magnificent fairytale. And, despite its many particularly American attributes, including a wizard from Omaha, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has universal appeal, demonstrated by numerous non-American translations and dramatizations. The story has become a classic because it blends elements of traditional magic, such as witches, with ones from early twentieth-century American reality, such as a Kansas cyclone, a scarecrow, and a man made of tin. In an article they describe this book as so powerful was its effect on the American imagination, so evocative its use of the forces of nature in its plots, so charming its invitation to children of all ages to look for the element of wonder in the world around them. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as #1 book out of 35 various titles. In USA, The Library of Congress posted article "Books That Shape America from 1900 to 1950" and name Is most 'influential' film of all time according to network science. In November 2018 the researchers at the University of Turin, Italy, calculated an influence score for 47,000 films listed in IMDb (the internet movie database).īased on their research, The Wizard of Oz What do these people all have in common? A passion for the Wizard of Oz books. The International Wizard of Oz Club has been in existence for over 60 years, and holds annual conventions and publications. The Wizard of Oz books are so popular around the world that there is even an organization devoted to all things Oz. The original story was made famous a second time by the MGM movie in 1939, whose fame overshadowed that of the books, and which stays in the minds and hearts of America.
The popularity of television shows and book series like Harry Potter have only a portion of the popularity the Oz books enjoyed, specifically because they were the main form of entertainment for children and adults alike. The Wizard of Oz books were a phenomenon, and unrivaled in fame. Even after his death, his publishers kept the series going and 26 more official books by Ruth Thompson and other completed the series!ĭid you know that the original story written at the tail end of the 19th century? (1). Frank Baum in 1900 but in reality, Baum wrote 14 Oz stories, as well as stories either directly or indirectly related to the Oz series. Many people are only aware of the original Wizard of Oz story that written by L. Guess what? Not only can you enjoy the Wizard of Oz books, but in addition to that, you can consider them an investment just like you can with other collectibles.