Invitation to the First Munchkin Convention, July 8, 1967

[1967]. Mimeograph invitation, 8.5” x 11”, with illustration of the Scarecrow. Paper is browned, heavier at left of document, and creased from mailing—VG or better.

The First Munchkin Convention was held at the Malvern, PA, farm (with its own private menagerie) of Fox and the Hound author and noted Oz collector Daniel Mannix, who was the co-founder of the Wizard of Oz Club’s First Munchkin Convention. It reads in part, “Come and join the merriment / which upon, we all are bent. / Take a quiz on Ozistory, / view Ozian treasures, there to see…” According to www.ozclub.org, “Club members arrived to find the most beloved Oz characters represented by painted plywood figures, and the silver slippers of the Wicked Witch of the East protruding from beneath the barn.” The form was to be returned to Ray Powell, co-organizer of the event, a noted Oz collector in his own right, and author of two original Oz books.

The year 1967 also saw the ABC television network release of the live action/partially animated series Off to See the Wizard, which ran until the following year. Not found in OCLC or commerce. A scarce piece of ephemera that documents the lasting magic of L. Frank Baum’s greatest work. Item #48

Price: $500.00