The Beginnings of the Second Generation of Oz: L. Frank Baum Warmly Writes to Ruth Plumly Thompson, the Successor to His Wizard of Oz Series

"One cannot be very lonely if they have books for friends"

Hollywood, January 1919. One sheet, 11 x 8 1/2 in. (279 x 216 mm). One-page manuscript letter, in the hand of Maude Gage Baum, signed by L. Frank Baum on his personal "Ozcot" stationery, to Ruth Plumly Thompson: "Dear Ruth--I have written twelve Oz books--as well as many other stories--and I write one each year--This years book will be called the Magic of Oz, and will be ready next fall--One cannot be very lonely if they have books for friends--reading passes so much time away--Thank you for your suggestions for another book--I hope your book will be a great success I know you are enjoying writing it. Sincerely yours L. Frank Baum." Creasing from when folded. Lot includes three letters (two autograph, one typed) and seven Christmas cards, all from Thompson to Alla Ford, as well as a group of 9 letters or ephemera also addressed to Ford, from Baum family members and Oz illustrator Dick Martin.

A fine letter of deep association, L. Frank Baum writes to Ruth Plumly Thompson--the children's book writer who was chosen by publisher Reilly & Lee to succeed Baum as the author of his beloved Wizard of Oz series. Prior to the discovery of this letter--written only four months before Baum's death--there was no known direct link between the two writers, and as such it provides perhaps a singular documentary connection between them, and serves as a prelude to the passing of the Oz-iana flame to a second generation.

Thompson was only 29 years old in 1920 when she agreed to continue the Oz series and become the second "Royal Historian of Oz". At the time she was known for her children's page in The Philadelphia Public Ledger, as well as for her own fantasy stories, which had caught the attention of fellow Philadelphian William F. Lee, partner of Baum's Chicago publisher. Between 1921-39, Thompson contributed 19 books to the Oz series, releasing one every year--five more than Baum himself wrote. While Baum's original novels were never intended particularly for children, Thompson embraced that audience, while adding her own unique voice, including elements of humor and romance. Her style proved to be "inventive, amusing, and sufficiently authentic to delight children who wanted to hear more about Oz", and continued the series' financial success (Rogers, L. Frank Baum, Creator of Oz, 2002, p. 250).

The Magic of Oz was published in 1919, and was the last penultimate Oz book written by Baum. The final Oz book, Glinda of Oz, was posthumously published in 1920. Thompson's first Oz book was The Royal Book of Oz, published in 1921.

In the months leading up to Baum's death, he was too infirm to pen his own letters, and recited them to his wife who transcribed them.

Alla T. Ford was a children's book scholar, noted for her works on Baum and Oz in particular, and was a founding member of the International Wizard of Oz Club. She published several Oz-related references, including Musical Fantasies of L. Frank Baum (1958), High Jinks of L. Frank Baum (1958), Unusual Flying Objects in Oz (1979), as well as non-Oz related work like Joys of Collecting Children's Books (1968).