The2FunAdGuyz WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ COLLECTION

The2FunAdGuyz proudly offer a set of fifteen, high quality reproduction art prints of fifteen of the original W. W. Denslow drawings for L. Frank Baum’s Wonderful Wizard of Oz--the basis for the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz. These may be purchased as a group or individually. These rare prints are based on original, lithographs scanned from the an early 1900 edition of the book.

In 1900, as the world ushered in a new century of change and progress, the finishing touches were being put on a children’s book that would not only change the dynamics of publishing books for children—it would also profoundly affect the musical theater and the then nascent film industry. For it was in 1900 that The Wonderful Wizard of Oz appeared on book shelves.

L.(for Lyman) Frank Baum wrote the Wonderful Wizard of Oz and W. (William) W. (Wallace) Denslow did the illustrations. Prior to the publication of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the two men had collaborated on another very successful children’s book, Father Goose His Book. In that book, the illustrations and text sometimes merged, one atop another, a technique continued in the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Based on the success of their first book collaboration, L. Frank Baum and W. W. Denslow perfected the integration of story and color illustrations. The2FunAdGuyz have been able to locate fifteen color plates from early editions of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”, scanned them with high resolution, corrected minor blemishes, and now make them available to those who cannot ever get enough of Oz. For home decorators, an Oz-themed children’s bedroom, family or game room now becomes a real possibility.

Unfortunately, the L. Frank Baum and W. W. Denslow collaboration only lasted a few more years after the publication of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. However, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz succeeded in changing the relationship between young readers and the printed page. Color illustrations became the norm in children’s publishing—giving young reader’ imaginations an extra boost. W. W. Denslow and L. Frank Baum were trendsetters and the billions of children’s books published since owe no small debt of gratitude to these two gifted men.

W. W. Denslow

William Wallace Denslow was a significant influence not only on art for children’s book, but on the entire commercial art scene. Born in Philadelphia on May 5, 1859, Denslow was already soliciting work from printers. Soon he would expand his work to cartoons and illustrations for newspaper, magazines and posters. His newspaper work took him across the country. He settled in Chicago, where he met Baum and collaborated on the children’s books. However, their partnership broke up in 1902 following a dispute with Baum over the revenues for the 1902 Broadway musical that Denslow believed he should share even though he was not involved in the production. While he only collaborated with Baum on one additional book, Denslow produced over 20 more children’s books and illustrated stories on his own.

The money from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and his own children’s books gave Denslow enough to buy an island off Bermuda where he built a castle and had himself declared King Denslow I. However, Denslow was an alcoholic and eventually he returned to New York, broke and broken. He survived on advertising work, largely on small accounts. Following an alcoholic bender, W. W. Denslow contracted pneumonia and died in 1915 at the age of 58.

To purchase all of the drawings in this collection as a package click here.

Browsing tip: Each of the images has a unique four-digit inventory number at the end of the title. They are numbered 1520 through 1534. To purchase an individual illustration simply click on the title of that drawing and you will be directed to a page offering only that item for sale.

Here are the fifteen images, each created for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by W. W. Denslow, available for sale.

WIZARD OZ DOROTHY KALIDAHS TOTO DENSLOW ART PRINT 1520

In this Denslow illustration, we meet the mythical Kalidahs, a fictional animal with the head and hind legs of a tiger and the body and claws of a bear. These ferocious beasts did not appear in the 1930s movie version of the Wizard of Oz and therefore remain unfamiliar, even to many ardent Oz fans. The Kalidahs are important because their pursuit of our merry band of pranksters forces Dorothy, Toto (frequently played on stage and screen by a Cairn Terrier), The Tin Woodman, and The Scarecrow to work together to cross two great canyons confronting them. A suddenly brave Cowardly Lion leaps across the first canyon, carrying them one at a time on his back. However, the second canyon is so large the tin woodman must cut down a tree so that they can walk across. However, once on the other side, the Kalidahs start to follow them across. The scarecrow realizes that if the Tin Woodman chopped off the end of the tree resting on their side—the Kalidahs would crash into the canyon. As we see in this remarkable illustration, the plan works and our amazed adventurers watch from above—understanding their journey must continue. L. Frank Baum wrote about the Kalidahs and this event in Chapter Seven, “The Journey to the Great Oz” of the original book.

WIZARD OZ DOROTHY CHINA PEOPLE TOTO DENSLOW PRINT 1521

Denslow created this very charming image to illustrate the moment when Dorothy Gale and Toto meet the Princess of the China People. The small dog is the one that barked at Dorothy and her fellow travelers when they were on the wall. In addition, we see the clown, a woman with a shepherds’ crook, and a man with a musical instrument.

WIZARD OZ HAMMERHEADS SCARECROW DENSLOW ART PRINT 1522

The Hammerheads of Quadlings Country are unfamiliar to many Oz film lovers because they did not appear in the 1939 film version (by far the most popular). The Hammerheads were people who lived in Quadlings Country. They fought by extending their wrinkled necks, butting their flat heads against their opponents. In this case, the poor Scarecrow reels after a Hammerhead hits him from behind, sending his hat and cane flying.

Denslow created the Hammerheads as wearing bow ties to better camouflage their wrinkled necks. Their attire also included polka-dot shirts, slacks with bright yellow or red suspenders, and shoes with spats. The choice of their clothing convinced those who interpret The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as a political allegory that the Hammerheads were business executives. Whatever the symbolism, this image is great work by W. W. Denslow.

WIZARD OF OZ LION GLINDA DOROTHY DENSLOW ART PRINT 1523

As the Wonderful Wizard of Oz moves to its conclusion, Denslow created one of the very best of his images. This scene captures Dorothy Gale, the Lion (wearing his new crown as “King of the Beasts), the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman and Glinda, the Princess of the South Country, seated on her ruby throne. Beside Glinda is a lady-in-waiting. Dorothy hands Glinda the magic cap, the one she had used to control the Flying Monkeys.

WIZARD OZ DOROTHY SCARECROW TOTO DENSLOW ART PRINT 1524

W. W. Denslow created a remarkable image for one of the truly magical moments in the original book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz . For it is the moment at which Dorothy and Toto (drawn as a Cairn terrier) meet the Scarecrow, the first of what will soon be their band of fellow-travelers. Dorothy, her hands under her chin, seems puzzled and the Scarecrow, stuck on a pole to scare away the crows seen passing overhead, looks forlorn. Dorothy wears her blue polka-dot dress, her basket on the ground near Toto, who is standing on her hind legs.

WIZARD OZ DOROTHY TIN MAN SCARECROW DENSLOW PRINT 1525

As yet another member of our adventurers is introduced, Denslow created a simple, charming image to portray the moment when Dorothy Gale and the Scarecrow heed the moans of the Tin Woodsman. Dorothy, still in a blue polka-dot dress, holds an oilcan while the Tin Woodsman smiles—the pain of rusty joints having been relieved. The Tin Man’s axe is portrayed in the lower left corner.

WIZARD OZ DOROTHY TOTO MUNCHKINS DENSLOW ART PRINT 1526

For a truly magical moment in the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz--when Dorothy and Toto meet the Munchkins—W. W. Denslow chose once again to use primary colors, especially blue. Dorothy’s bright red dress, the pure white gown of the Witch of the North and Toto all seem to only emphasize the Munchkins—who are tipping their hats to Dorothy. Denslow delivers a powerful message in this image. A little girl—already having survived the cyclone and the near loss of Toto—does not fear these different people. Instead, she is courteous and unafraid.

WIZARD OF OZ LION FLYING MONKEYS DENSLOW ART PRINT 1527

One of the great attributes of the W. W. Denslow illustrations is their ability to soften what might otherwise have been a scary situation. Such is the case in this frame showing the Winged Monkeys, under orders of the Wicked Witch, binding up the Cowardly Lion so the Wicked Witch can make him her slave. The leader of the Winged Monkeys is the fellow on our left, wearing a bright orange and red hat. In the sky, a long line of Winged Monkeys flap their way to the scene. Dorothy, now wearing her silver dress and magical slippers (The 1939 movie turned the slippers into a ruby color), had received a magical kiss from the Good Witch that prevented the Winged Monkeys from harming her. She stands with clasped hands, looking at the very agitated Lion. The Winged Monkeys have already destroyed the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman—although the Yellow Winkies will eventually recreate them. While all appears to be lost, we are not done with this story, yet—and these marauding monkeys will eventually help Dorothy and her companions to complete their journey.

WIZARD OZ DOROTHY DILEMMA LION TOTO DENSLOW PRINT 1528

Poor Dorothy. She is so sad! When the balloon was launched without her, she knows it will not be easy to get home to Kansas now. Our adventurers have gathered in the throne room. The Scarecrow, now the ruler of Emerald City, sits on the throne. The Scarecrow is thinking so hard giant needles stick from his head. Toto is at his feet. The lion is on his right—his hair tied with a yellow ribbon. The Tin Woodsman rests on the floor. They all wear green spectacles. The gatekeeper stands at the doorway. Of course, the color is green—after all, this is Emerald City.

WIZARD OZ DOROTHY FLYING MONKEYS DENSLOW ART PRINT 1529

For many fans of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the scene depicted in this whimsical Denslow drawing is their favorite—and with good reason. In her quest to find her way back to Kansas, Dorothy, Toto (drawn as a Cairn terrier), and the Tin Wood Man have been scooped up by the Winged Monkeys and are being carried to Oz. Dorothy is now wearing the magical, bejeweled cap that allows her to control the Winged Monkeys. Although the Winged Monkeys were also carrying the Tin Woodman and Scarecrow, in this image we only see Dorothy, the Tin Woodman and Toto, carried by a smaller monkey. The Winged Monkeys are finally free from the Wicked Witch and are happy. The others are happy because after days of searching for the Emerald City, they are about to arrive. Of course, we know they will face more challenges. However, at this moment we can share the joy of every ones new freedom and optimism.

WIZARD OF OZ DOROTHY EMERALD CITY DENSLOW PRINT 1530

To illustrate the group’s departure from Emerald City, Denslow presents us with a very busy image. Of course the color of Emerald City is green and so that color dominates the drawing. Dorothy, Toto (drawn as a Cairn terrier), the Lion, the Tin Woodsman, and the Scarecrow form a procession that is led by a soldier. They all wear their green spectacles and wave to the residents of Emerald City as they depart. This is one of only a few Oz images containing all five of the main characters.

WIZARD OF OZ THRONE DOROTHY WW DENSLOW ART PRINT 1531

Denslow created a simple image for the moment of confrontation between The Wizard of Oz and Dorothy. Dorothy and friends have returned to Oz after melting the Wicked Witch of the West. In this illustration, Denslow created for the young readers the feeling of standing in front of a towering figure—a feeling children endure every day. Dorothy, hands clasped behind her back, stands in awe.

WIZARD OZ DOROTHY LION TOTO W W DENSLOW ART PRINT 1532

This beautiful Denslow illustration captures the moment when Dorothy, Toto, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Lion discover the identity of the “Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz”. The Wizard reveals he is a human who used to live in Omaha—accidentally brought here by a balloon that floated away at a carnival. All of the travelers are wearing the green spectacles that are required in Emerald City. Denslow used various shades of green (remember this is Emerald City) to color most of this image. The exceptions are Toto (frequently played on stage and screen by a Cairn terrier) and the Lion who are in shades of brown and orange. The Wizard nervously rubs his hands while the others fret because they now know he will be unable to keep his promises made conditional on the destruction of the Wicked Witch. The events depicted in this frame are in chapter fifteen of the original book.

WIZARD OZ DOROTHY CYCLONE TOTO DENSLOW ART PRINT 1533

To illustrate the moment at which Dorothy rescues Toto, W. W. Denslow chose a simple approach. Toto and Dorothy appear above swirling lines to give the appearance of a cyclone. Dorothy clutches an obviously unhappy Toto, whom Denslow drew as a Cairn terrier, by the ear.

WIZARD OF OZ DOROTHY LION TOTO DENSLOW ART PRINT 1534

This print captures the moment when five of the major characters meet for the first time. In this particularly vibrant piece, Dorothy, wearing a polka dot blue dress, has confronted the “cowardly” lion over his threat to her beloved dog, Toto. The Lion has already attacked The Tin Man, who rests on the grass, and The Scarecrow, who fell on the “Yellow Brick Road”, his hand falling outside the frame. Winslow drew a very young Dorothy with Toto, usually played by a Cairn terrier, nearby as they collect their entourage to continue their travel downs the “Yellow Brick Road” heading towards Emerald City.