Life and Adventures of Santa Claus- L. Frank Baum

Every now and then you run across a gem that can not be denied. A gem that the minute you see it, than handle it you have to buy it. Such is the case when I ran across "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus". I found this great gem of a book at the Medina Antique Mall and for what I thought was a very fair price, $100.00. My copy according to the "The Book Collector's guide to L. Frank Baum and Oz" says it is a first edition copy. Sadly my copy is missing only two illustrations one on page 141 and the other on page 201. All the other illustrations are there and none of the pages are written on, colored in or ripped. There are a few lose pages but nothing horrible.

The book was written in 1902 and was produced by The Bowen-Merrill Company of Indianapolis, Indiana. It is beautifully illustrated by Mary Cowles Clark, measures 9 1/4 by 7, has 206 pages and originally sold for $1.00. The cover is is in red cloth. The illustration and lettering on the cover is in black, green, white and beige. The spine lettering is in black and an off-white outlining: "SANTA CLAUS" printed along the length of the spine with no author or publisher identification.

The endpapers are illustrated in in red, green and black. The plates number 20 in total, six of which are in full color including the title page. Plates are as follows: 2, 10, 14, 24, 28, 38, 48, 52, 60, 68, 76, 84, 92, 116, 128, 140, 168, 188 and 204. There are believed to be six other printing of this book between 1902- 1920's including a British edition.

Now for a little background about the book. Baum published and astounding eight different titles in the period of 1900- 1901. In contrast, with his attention turned to the stage, he produced only a single book for 1902--"The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus". January of that year the publishing firm George M. Hill started advertising saying "We believe (it) will make the biggest sensation known to the juvenile book world since the publication of 'Alice in Wonderland". With fierce promises for advertising and marketing the company folded only two short months later with the book than going to Bowen-Merrill which previously produced the "Master Key".

Mary Cowles Clark, a 31 year-old Syracuse artist, likely cam to Baum's attention through her acquaintance with Baum's brother Dr, Henry Clay Baum. She apparently had been tapped by the Hill Company to illustrate Santa Claus and completed the drawings after the project had moved to Bowen-Merrill.

Without boring you with more wonderful background on this book I want to state you can found so much more in the "The Book Collector's guide to L. Frank Baum and Oz" available through Hungry Tiger Press. Information can be located on pages 198 and 199.

The story tells how Santa Claus came to be found, adopted by immortal fairies, came to live in the Laughing Valley, how the first tree came to be. Also included are how he got the reindeer's, the bells for them and the story behind the stockings. It was one of those books I just could not put down. I bought as I have never seen this book any where. Not on E-bay, not at festivals not anywhere and of course being the Baum book lover I am I had to have it.

Take the time, find this book and buy it, you will just love it. for anyone with this book in possession already if you have my missing illustrations pages 141 and 201 i would be very happy to reimburse you for full color photocopies of those pages to add to my book. Thanks in advance.

OK, Holiday pop quiz-----Can you name the first two reindeer's Santa had according to L. Frank Baum? If you can or think you can e-mail me and there will be a very nice nice surprise coming your way in the mail.