Top : The Land of Oz : What is Oz?
Most of you probably know Oz from the 1939 MGM movie The Wizard
of Oz, with Judy Garland, etc. While the movie was one of
the finest ever made, the whole of Oz is more. Much more.
It began back in 1898, when L. Frank Baum wrote the book The Wonderful
Wizard of Oz in a desire to create the first genuine "American
Fairy Tale". It had great success and Baum wrote a total
of 14 books for the series before his death in 1919. The Oz series
continued with other authors and eventually reached its 40th book
in 1963. The story does not end there, however. People continue
to write Oz books to this day, and the Land of Oz has amassed
probably the largest and most unusual cast of characters in any
series of books ever written. Americas own fairyland is the most
successful ever, and it goes far beyond a two-hour movie. By the
time the movie was released in 1939, author Ruth Plumly Thompson
had published the 33rd Oz book!
Schematic diagram of the Land of Oz, showing the five regions and
their color of choice.
Official International Wizard of Oz Club statement
The International Wizard of Oz Club was founded in 1957 to bring
together all those interested in Oz, it authors and illustrators,
film and stage adaptations, toys and games, and associated memorabilia.
From a charter group of 16, the club has grown until today it
has nearly 3000 members of all ages throughout the world. Its
magazine The Baum Bugle, first appeared in June 1957 and
has been published continuously ever since. The Bugle appears
three times a year and specializes in popular and scholarly articles
about Oz and its creators, biographical and critical studies,
first edition checklists, research into the people and places
within the Oz books, etc. The magazine is illustrated with rare
photographs and drawings, and the covers are in full color. The
Oz Club also publishes a number of other Oz-associated items,
including full-color maps; an annual collection of original Oz
stories; books and essays.
Each year, the Oz Club sponsors conventions in different areas
of the United States. These gatherings feature displays of rare
Oz and Baum material, an Oz quiz, showings of Oz films, an auction
of hard-to-find Baum and Oz items, much conversation about Oz
in all its aspects and many other activities.
The International Wizard of Oz Club appeals to the serious student and
collector of Oz as well as to any reader interested in Americas own
fairyland. For further information, please send a long SASE to Fred M.
Meyer, Executive Secretary of the Inernational Wizard of Oz Club, at one of
these two addresses:
| PO Box 95 |
220 N 11th Street |
Kinderhook, IL 62345
|
Escanaba, MI 49829 |
I am sad to report that Fred has undergone back surgery and will be
spending some months recuperating. He has made the tough decision to
turn over most of his work to the Board of directors. We all wish a
speedy recovery for him, and for now, all Oz correspondence should be
directed to
Peter Hanff
c/o International Wizard of Oz Club
PO Box 10117
Berkely, CA 94709-5117
Top : The Land of Oz : What is Oz?