dickm-03

In 1900 the American author L Frank Baum, who had already made his name in children's books, wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The book was illustrated by his partner W.W. Denslow, with whom he shared the copyrights. The book was an immediate success and to such degree that a plan for a musical version arose. So not much later Baum teamed up with composer Paul Tietjens and director Julian Mitchell and in 1902 a stage version of the book had its opening in Chicago. The success story continued when the musical version traveled throughout the country in the following years. The name of the musical was shortened to The Wizard of Oz. For Baum the success of the Wizard of Oz was the reason to write a series of 13 novels that are based on the places and characters from the Land of Oz. For this he teamed up with the illustrator John R Neil and the publisher Reilly & Britton in 1904.

The word "Ozmapolitan" was first used in 1904 by the publisher Reilly & Britton, who had the idea that the Wizard of Oz would start a newspaper. Press releases were done in this newspaper form until 1920. When Dick Martin wrote and illustrated his only book in the Oz series in 1986, he revived the name of this newspaper by using it as title for this book. The story is about a printer of the Ozmapolitan.
The book was published by the International Wizard of Oz Club. The club was founded in 1957 by a thirteen year old boy, but has evolved into a club with thousands of members from all over the world. The club is still active today.
As an avid collector of Oz memorabilia he not only joined that club, but he has also served the club as president, vice-president, director and editor of the Baum Bugle, the club's journal, since the 1970's. He also illustrated a number of covers in the Oz series, like The Visitors from OZ in 1960 and Merry Go Round in OZ in 1963.

The Ozmopolitan card game was probably published in the 1980's too.
A complete game wasn't available in time for this xpo, but scans will be added asap.
For now, the images of the used characters are on this uncut and signed sheet.