Before "The Wizard of Oz" was a movie, it was a children's book. This edition is a carefully re-constructed facsimile that is as close to the original as modern book printing technology will allow. If you are looking for the original, 1899, release of this children's classic, be prepared to fork over thousands of dollars. If you want a faithful reconstruction that will make your guests look twice and delight your kids, this edition is for you. Please note: as this is a facsimile edition, it will contain all of the flaws and imperfections of the original. This is żeby definition. Since the original images were engravings, which was a common necessity for book printers of the 1800s, the image quality itself will be different than what many modern readers expect. But, while it contains the flaws of the original, it also has the magic of the original, as well. As such, it will be a great way to read the story the way its authors originally intended it before Victor Fleming and Hollywood got a hold of it. It will also be a handsome addition to your bookshelf!