• A first edition of 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz', a landmark work of American fantasy literature by L Frank Baum, can be yours for a cool £55,000 (Dh258,000). Peter Harrington
    A first edition of 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz', a landmark work of American fantasy literature by L Frank Baum, can be yours for a cool £55,000 (Dh258,000). Peter Harrington
  • A first edition of 'Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland' by Lewis Carroll, an enormously influential work of children’s fantasy literature, is for sale for £39,500 (Dh185,000). Peter Harrington
    A first edition of 'Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland' by Lewis Carroll, an enormously influential work of children’s fantasy literature, is for sale for £39,500 (Dh185,000). Peter Harrington
  • A deluxe, signed limited-edition of George R R Martin’s 'A Song of Ice and Fire: A Game of Thrones; A Clash of Kings; A Storm of Swords; A Feast For Crows; A Dance of Dragons' – one of only 52 lettered sets signed by the author and illustrators with an original drawing in each volume – is for sale for £27,500 (Dh129,000). Peter Harrington
    A deluxe, signed limited-edition of George R R Martin’s 'A Song of Ice and Fire: A Game of Thrones; A Clash of Kings; A Storm of Swords; A Feast For Crows; A Dance of Dragons' – one of only 52 lettered sets signed by the author and illustrators with an original drawing in each volume – is for sale for £27,500 (Dh129,000). Peter Harrington
  • Other highlights of the catalogue include signed galley proofs of Diana Wynne Jones’s 'Howl’s Moving Castle' - the basis for the much-loved Studio Ghibli film. Peter Harrington
    Other highlights of the catalogue include signed galley proofs of Diana Wynne Jones’s 'Howl’s Moving Castle' - the basis for the much-loved Studio Ghibli film. Peter Harrington
  • A signed hardcover first edition of 'I Am Legend' by Richard Matheson – a highly influential novel in “the last man” genre – on sale for £2,250 (Dh10,500). Peter Harrington
    A signed hardcover first edition of 'I Am Legend' by Richard Matheson – a highly influential novel in “the last man” genre – on sale for £2,250 (Dh10,500). Peter Harrington
  • First editions of J R R Tolkien’s 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy, one of the most popular works of literature in the 20th century, are for sale for £27,500 (Dh129,000). Peter Harrington
    First editions of J R R Tolkien’s 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy, one of the most popular works of literature in the 20th century, are for sale for £27,500 (Dh129,000). Peter Harrington
  • A first edition, and a very scarce example inscribed by the author, of Frank Herbert’s 'Dune', a seminal work of science fiction and among the best known and most widely read in the genre, for sale for £12,500 (Dh58,500). Peter Harrington
    A first edition, and a very scarce example inscribed by the author, of Frank Herbert’s 'Dune', a seminal work of science fiction and among the best known and most widely read in the genre, for sale for £12,500 (Dh58,500). Peter Harrington
  • An inscribed copy of Bram Stoker’s 'Dracula' is among the works in the new Peter Harrington collection. Peter Harrington
    An inscribed copy of Bram Stoker’s 'Dracula' is among the works in the new Peter Harrington collection. Peter Harrington
  • Another view of the George R R Martin collection for sale. Peter Harrington
    Another view of the George R R Martin collection for sale. Peter Harrington
  • George R.R Martin’s signature. Peter Harrington
    George R.R Martin’s signature. Peter Harrington
  • Frank Herbert’s signature in the copy of 'Dune'. Peter Harrington
    Frank Herbert’s signature in the copy of 'Dune'. Peter Harrington

Books

A Dh250,000 edition of 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz': rare fantasy and sci-fi books up for sale

Rare books company Peter Harrington's newest catalogue includes highly desirable editions of 'A Game of Thrones' and 'Dune'

The National

June 11, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

A first edition of the 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is among the titles in rare books company Peter Harrington's new fantasy and science-fiction catalogue.

The coveted copy of the L Frank Baum classic features the Cowardly Lion on the cover looking, well, scared and confused. His mane is bundled by a bow-tie, and he is wearing the green spectacles of Emerald City.

The novel inspired the 1939 musical – starring a young Judy Garland – which is regarded as one of the greatest films in cinematic history.

The first edition, which has an illustration of the Scarecrow and Tin Man on its cover page, can be yours for a cool £55,000 (Dh258,000).

The latest Peter Harrington catalogue, titled In Other Worlds: Fantasy, Science Fiction and Beyond, has a number of other names that may be of interest to film and TV buffs.

Among them is a deluxe, signed, limited-edition copy of George R R Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, the basis for the Game of Thrones series, which is going for £27,500 (Dh129,000).

The edition on sale is one of only 52 lettered sets signed by the author and illustrators, with an original drawing in each volume.

Other highlights of the catalogue include signed galley proofs of Diana Wynne Jones's Howl's Moving Castle, the basis for the much-loved Studio Ghibli film; classic horrors such as the first illustrated edition of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein; and an inscribed copy of Bram Stoker's Dracula. There are also much-loved books that inspired early Disney films such as T H White's The Sword in the Stone, presented here as original proof pages bound with the original wrappers, and the first edition of J M Barrie's Peter and Wendy, an adapted novel from the 1904 stage play Peter Pan.

The 180-item catalogue transcends pure fantasy and sci-fi categories and spans several centuries and genres, from dystopian and apocalyptic fiction to imaginative tales that have defined enduring classics of children's literature. Several of these have spawned popular film and TV adaptations, such as I Am Legend, Dune and The Lord of the Rings.

More information on the collection is at www.peterharrington.co.uk

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