The High-Jinks of L. Frank Baum

Title: The High-Jinks of L. Frank Baum

Author: Baum, L. Frank

Publication: Hong Kong: Ford Press, 1969.

Description: Miniature book containing lyrics for songs written by L. Frank Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz, for The Uplifters, an invitation-only social club in Los Angeles. No. 336 of 500 copies. Published by Alla T. Ford of Ford Press through Opium Books, Hong Kong and signed by her. With a black-and-white frontispiece illustration. In stapled orange wrappers with black lettering. 2.5 x 2 inches; 32 unnumbered pages. Bookplate of miniature book collector Dorothy Rowe Shaw. Sunned wrappers with light edgewear and soiling, but a clean interior. Very Good+.

Originally printed in an edition of 100 by the Wizard Press of Chicago in 1959, this book contains songs from the 1938 Silver Anniversary edition of The Uplifters' Hymnal. It includes "Never Strike Your Father, Boy" from The Orpheus Road Show; "We're Having a Hell of a Time" from The Uplift of Lucifer, "Susan Doozan," from The Uplifters' Minstrels, and "Apple Pie". The book also includes the humorous by-laws of The Uplifters, written by L. Frank Baum, as well as a roster of attendees of the inaugural meeting. The Lofty and Exalted Order of Uplifters was established in 1913 at the Los Angeles Athletic Club and remains active to this day. Baum coined the group's name, composed its anthem, and wrote many of their amateur theatrical productions. The publisher Alla T. Ford was one of the original 16 members of The International Wizard of Oz Club founded in 1957.