And Toto too! Vintage ‘Wizard of Oz’ book up for auction, with star autographs
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A vintage clothbound copy of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ by L. Frank Baum, up for auction at Profiles in History, was signed by all the stars of the film’s cast -- including Toto.
According to the auction house, the book was a gift for Jack Haley Jr., then 5 years old. His father, Jack Haley, portrayed the Tin Man, and brought the book to the set to be signed by cast and crew.
The signatures include Judy Garland (Dorothy), Frank Morgan (the Wizard), Jack Haley (the Tin Man), Ray Bolger (the Scarecrow), Bert Lahr (the Cowardly Lion), Billie Burke (Glinda the Good Witch) Margaret Hamilton (the Wicked Witch of the West), director Victor Fleming, producer Mervyn LeRoy and several others. Oh, and Toto too -- the dog’s footprint, that is, plus a signature from trainer Jack Weatherwax.
The company Profiles in History and its president, Joe Maddalena, can been seen on the Syfy show ‘Hollywood Treasure.’ Most of the other items up for auction alongside the autographed copy of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ are movie memorabilia, including posters, costumes, props, film stills and Harrison Ford’s ‘heavily annotated’ shooting script from ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark.’
The auction takes place Dec. 17-18. Jack Haley Jr.’s copy of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ -- well-worn and probably much-read -- is estimated to sell for $40,000-$60,000.
-- Carolyn Kellogg
