The power of the weather can do magical things, including this!
New York City in near total darkness!
Time to call on the Wiz!
Monday, October 29, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Oz At The Auction Yet Again!
As usual, I find myself at a local auction barn which has played a substantial role in my writings about the Land of Oz. And as always, Oz shows up, though usually, it's movie related.
This time, the Oz of old, being in the form of books turned up.
I was most pleased to purchase the Royal Book of Oz as I did not have that one. I think it may be a 1st edition, though further research is required.
Although this book is shown as being written by L. Frank Baum, it actually is more likely the work of Ruth Plumly Thompson, the successor to Mr. Baum as the Royal Historian of Oz. It was released in 1921, 2 years following L. Frank Baum's death, though it is suggested that he wrote most of it and Ruth Plumly Thompson expanded on his work. Who can say?
These two books are reprints from early stories by L. Frank Baum and were printed in 1939 in response to the then just released MGM Wizard of Oz movie everyone knows so well.
All three are in good condition and I am very pleased to add them to my collection. I wonder what I'll find next at the auction???
James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma
This time, the Oz of old, being in the form of books turned up.
I was most pleased to purchase the Royal Book of Oz as I did not have that one. I think it may be a 1st edition, though further research is required.
Although this book is shown as being written by L. Frank Baum, it actually is more likely the work of Ruth Plumly Thompson, the successor to Mr. Baum as the Royal Historian of Oz. It was released in 1921, 2 years following L. Frank Baum's death, though it is suggested that he wrote most of it and Ruth Plumly Thompson expanded on his work. Who can say?
These two books are reprints from early stories by L. Frank Baum and were printed in 1939 in response to the then just released MGM Wizard of Oz movie everyone knows so well.
All three are in good condition and I am very pleased to add them to my collection. I wonder what I'll find next at the auction???
James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
The Newest Magical Acquisition!
The auction once again delivers into my gaping maw, a gem, a jewel, some piece of this or that... or even the other!
Such was last night at a local auction barn I frequent weekly. It's called General Auction, but those in the know, know that its the Bauer Boys who run the show!
Anyways, here's what I got!!!
Ain't it something? As a magician, I'm always pleased when I can emulate Houdini.
Dad would have been pleased. Especialy since the original pricetag was attached.
I paid $0.50 more for it!!!
Sometime next year, the Portable Colonel will arrive...
Per Ardua Ad Alta
James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Chesterton Wizard of Oz Festival 2012: Part 2
In mid-September, the wonderful town of Chesterton, Indiana hosts an incredible Wizard of Oz Festival and this year's festival was as wonderful as ever. I spoke last week about my first day there. Now, we take a look at day two on Sunday, September 16th, 2012.
Day two was as beautiful a day as day one, which is highly unusual for the Oz festival. Normally, one of the three days has rain... but not this year. Crowds were good and despite an odd repositioning of authors that gave us some concerns, foot traffic was acceptable, though next year, I hope to be back on the main drag (so to speak).
On this day, there was a wonderful puppet show called "Bob Wall's Wizard of Oz Puppet show".
This was, in my opinion, one of the best parts of this year's Wizard of Oz festival. The kids were enthralled by the performance and every show was packed with kids and adults who seemed genuinely captivated by the marrionettes, all of which were very old and highly detailed.
I hope the folks at Chesterton bring this show back next year. I thought it worked very well and was a wonderful experience for young and old alike.
As usual, the Tin Woodman was in tall attendance,
as well as more Dorothy's than you could shake a stick at!
It was great to see many old friends at Oz, including Walter Krueger, who has one of the biggest Oz collections imaginable. I consider him to be a great guy and a good friend who I always look forward to seeing at every Oz festival I attend.
The closing ceremony was, as always, well attended.
As always, whenever John Fricke and Margarette Peligrinni (original Munchkin from the 1939 MGM Wizard of Oz movie), get together, the kibbitzing gets going! Those two just love teasing each other and it's easy to see that there is genuine freindship between these two, as well as everyone associated with Oz.
It was also announced who had won the Good Witch vs. Bad Witch comnpetition, which had been the theme of this year's festival. Of course, Good always wins out over Bad,
although the Wicked Witch of the West vowed to return next year and defeat Glinda!
Finally, the festival ended with a rousing sing-along of "We're off to see the Wizard!" in memory of Karl Slover, another Munchkin who passed away last November. I was fortunate enough to have had the honor of knowing Karl and like everyone else, his absence was keenly felt.
After the closing ceremonies, everyone affiliated with the festival gathered for a wrap party. I was quite concerned for the sturdiness of the stage, but it seemed to survive the gathering of Oz.
So now, I wait another year for the next festival in Chesterton. I'm looking forward to it since I'll have a new Oz book, co-authored by myself and my wife Amanda. This new book, The Emerald Slippers of Oz was actually Amanda's idea and I'm finding her to be an outstanding writer.
For now, we seek out other Oz events to attend and count the days until next September... and Oz!!!!
James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma
Day two was as beautiful a day as day one, which is highly unusual for the Oz festival. Normally, one of the three days has rain... but not this year. Crowds were good and despite an odd repositioning of authors that gave us some concerns, foot traffic was acceptable, though next year, I hope to be back on the main drag (so to speak).
On this day, there was a wonderful puppet show called "Bob Wall's Wizard of Oz Puppet show".
This was, in my opinion, one of the best parts of this year's Wizard of Oz festival. The kids were enthralled by the performance and every show was packed with kids and adults who seemed genuinely captivated by the marrionettes, all of which were very old and highly detailed.
I hope the folks at Chesterton bring this show back next year. I thought it worked very well and was a wonderful experience for young and old alike.
As usual, the Tin Woodman was in tall attendance,
as well as more Dorothy's than you could shake a stick at!
It was great to see many old friends at Oz, including Walter Krueger, who has one of the biggest Oz collections imaginable. I consider him to be a great guy and a good friend who I always look forward to seeing at every Oz festival I attend.
The closing ceremony was, as always, well attended.
As always, whenever John Fricke and Margarette Peligrinni (original Munchkin from the 1939 MGM Wizard of Oz movie), get together, the kibbitzing gets going! Those two just love teasing each other and it's easy to see that there is genuine freindship between these two, as well as everyone associated with Oz.
It was also announced who had won the Good Witch vs. Bad Witch comnpetition, which had been the theme of this year's festival. Of course, Good always wins out over Bad,
although the Wicked Witch of the West vowed to return next year and defeat Glinda!
Finally, the festival ended with a rousing sing-along of "We're off to see the Wizard!" in memory of Karl Slover, another Munchkin who passed away last November. I was fortunate enough to have had the honor of knowing Karl and like everyone else, his absence was keenly felt.
After the closing ceremonies, everyone affiliated with the festival gathered for a wrap party. I was quite concerned for the sturdiness of the stage, but it seemed to survive the gathering of Oz.
So now, I wait another year for the next festival in Chesterton. I'm looking forward to it since I'll have a new Oz book, co-authored by myself and my wife Amanda. This new book, The Emerald Slippers of Oz was actually Amanda's idea and I'm finding her to be an outstanding writer.
For now, we seek out other Oz events to attend and count the days until next September... and Oz!!!!
James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
