November Updates

I'm sad to report the Ruby Slippers Talbott tea was only made for attendees of the 70th Anniversary Gala Event in New York City.

Goodreau's Upside Down Oz Dolls have finally been released. Esmeralda (the Wicked Witch) won a Doll of the Year Industry's Choice Award while Glinda is a 2009 Dolls Award of Excellence Nominee.

Hallmark birthday card found at Safeway.

Earlier this year Kansas sold 70th anniversary lottery scratch offs. Now lottery tix are being sold in Rhode Island and New Jersey. New Jersey also offers a second chance drawing for some Ozzy prizes.

Import Images has several 11" by 14" glitter posters including the map of Oz shown below

Marvel's follow up to it's hugely successful Wonderful Wizard of Oz series 'The Marvelous Land of Oz' First four issues and alternate covers Sketchbook

NEW FOR 2010!!! Seven inch plush dolls retailing around $13.00 each.

Hot Topic Ruby Slippers Tee $22.00 Juniors sizes

Wizard of Oz 24KT Gold 70th Anniversary Coin Collection $29.98 plus $4.72 shipping from QVC

Ruby Slippers fleece available at some WalMarts

Craft Project for Fleece fabric found at WalMart "Which Witch No Sew Fleece Blanket"

Wicked the Musical Grimmerie Bookmark $13.00

Bradford Exchange Swarovski Crystal Keychain $79.95 plus $7.98 shipping

Please keep watching the Curiozity Corner for more news and updates!!

Oztober Updates

I hope orders will resume soon for the Wizard of Oz Christmas Village. This is one of my very favorite Oz collectibles Ever. For those that were quick to order Dorothy's house should be shipping at the beginning of November.



The 70th Anniversary Carousel is slated for shipping at the end of November.

How About a Little Fire the first in the Wizard of Oz Animated Figurine Collection is scheduled to arrive mid-November.

The first piece in the Windows of Oz Collection should be shipping at the end of October.

The Animated Music Box posted here August of 2008 is now up to order on collectiblestoday.com It is scheduled to ship at the end of November.

Glinda is next in the Wizard of Oz Sculpture Collection The Wicked Witch is shipping now.

There's No Place Like Home wall decor from the Bradford Exchange. Each piece is $39.95 plus shipping

Official website for The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road game for Nintendo DS

Interesting Wizard of Oz teapot based on the Wizard of Oz books.

Folk art figurines by Lori Mitchell for ESC Trading Company Inc. Off to See the Wizard and King of the Jungle are 7 inches tall and retail around $20.00 each. The Tin Man and Scarecrow figurines are on tap for 2010.

The Dorothy fairy figurine by Jasmine Becket-Griffith for Hamilton Collection will be sold at comic shops such as Things from Another World. Or you can order Dorothy and the rest of the collection direct here. For those that are currently subscribed to the collection the Emerald City display is en route.

Wizard of Oz t-shirt similar to Target design but with rhinestones on the butterfly, poppies, stockings, and ruby slippers. Available at Charlotte Russe for $9.99. Probably in junior sizes.

Plush Chistery at the Ozdust Boutique for $35.00

The Barnes and Noble dolls are in stock at retail locations but not available online at this time. They are B&N exclusives and come with 70th anniversary tags. They sell for $14.95 each. Styles are Dorothy, Glinda, and the Wicked Witch.

Two more 70th anniversary stamp sheets. Thanks to Jim Whitcomb for the alert they were finally available. They can be ordered at http://photo.stamps.com/Store/brand/wizardofoz/?_requestid=61341

In my September updates I misidentified the Glinda fleece fabric that is currently at Walmart. I apologize if I caused any confusion. Here is the correct style:

The new Fundex puzzles are in stock Barnes and Noble online and with Karen Owens: Storyland Collectables.

Kohls online has a pair of adorable, if upside down!, lounge pants in juniors sizes for $19.99

Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian will be on DVD and Blu Ray December 1. Extras included deleted scenes and alternate ending. To learn more about the Ruby Slippers at the Smithsonian and in this film please see my previous blog entries: 10,950 Nights at the Museum, Museum Pt. 2: Collecting Ruby Slippers, and Museum Pt. 3: Links Sources Acknowledgements

Talbott Teas Ruby Slippers Blend

Just a reminder if you want to be kept abreast of the lastest collector Oz news you may want to consider emailing Karen Owens at Storylandmi@aol.com to be added to her news list and of course keep watching the Curiozity Corner!

Thanks to Jim Whitcomb, Lou Berrillo, and Karen Owens for helping to keep me on top of things!

September Updates

Barnes and Noble set up their Wizard of Oz and Wicked tables on September 15th. Some products such as the dolls and the Wicked wall decals, are behind schedule so keep checking back with your local store or you can order online. I had planned to post photos but have decided to wait for more inventory to show up.

WalMart is now carrying two fleece fabric designs for $7.84 and two fleece panels of the Wicked Witch and Glinda for around $11.00.

Kmart.com has two cute Oz shirts in Juniors sizes for $9.99 each.

Jeweled Treasures of Oz Box Collection from the Bradford Exchange

http://www.collectiblestoday.com/ct/product/prdid-901979.jsp?_wizard+of+oz/_prod/_/_/_24/_/_/_Y&endeca=true

The Wizard of Oz Animated Figurine Collection from the Bradford Exchange.

No details at this time but orders are being accepted. The Wicked Witch looks awesome!! And, never thought I'd say this, the flying monkey is ADORABLE. Click on photos to enlarge.

http://www.collectiblestoday.com/ct/product/prdid-901980.jsp?_wizard+of+oz/_prod/_/_/_24/_/_/_Y&endeca=true

Keep your eye on Teleflora's blog. Right now there is a Wizard of Oz Quiz and an interview with John Fricke and essay by film critic Michael Wilmington will be posted soon.

http://www.teleflora.com/FLOWERBLOG/post/Wiz-Quiz-How-well-do-you-know-the-wonderful-Wizard-of-Oz.aspx

The Wizard of Oz Festival in Chesterton IN is this weekend and it's a GREAT place for collectors. Lots of wonderful vendors and craftsmen. Donors for the Saturday auction include The Tonner Doll Company, Tarina Tarantino, Wilde Imagination, USAopoly, Lenox, The Franklin Mint, Mattel, Jasmine Becket-Griffith, Hallmark, San Francisco Music Box, and very special items donated by Munchkins Meinhardt Raabe, Jerry Maren, Margaret Pellegrini, Karl Slover, and Myrna Swenson widow of Clarence Swenson. The Wizard of Oz Fest in Chesterton is paradise for an Oz lover.

Please keep watching the Curiozity Corner as the 70th anniversary celebration continues!!!!!

Barnes and Noble Update

Mark your calendars! The official launch for the Barnes and Noble Wizard of Oz table and smaller Wicked table is September 15th but some stores may set up a few days early. Hopefully, the book pictured below will be in stock for people heading to the Chesterton Oz Fest on the 18th. I know author John Fricke would be delighted to autograph these beauties.

In addition to the book, some dolls and exclusive puzzles were listed on Barnes and Noble's website. The puzzles have been removed but it's expected they'll be back up soon. You can see the dolls and one of the new Wicked calendars here. And here's a photo of last year's Wicked table display. I'm hoping Oz gets the same treatment this year.

Thanks to Lou Berrillo for the heads up!

Ballooning Magazine

Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary cover story. 5 full pages total.

To order:

Mail - BFA

PO Box 400

Indianola, IA 50125
Fax - 1-515-961-3537
Phone - 1-515-961-8809
email - bfaoffice@bfa.net

checks, Visa and Mastercard

Barnes and Noble

Many of you know last year Barnes and Noble had a wonderful Wicked promotion. (For those that didn't see it. http://curiozitycorner.blogspot.com/search/label/Wicked%20Musical%20Broadway%20Merchandise%20Barnes%20and%20Noble) It was great to see Wicked merchandise in stores all over the country and a lot of excitement generated among Barnes and Noble patrons. Thinking since last year was so successful, they might be tempted to do an encore I searched the Barnes and Noble site last night and found two new Wicked Calendars to be released this month: A wall calendar (not pictured) and engagement calendar.

We know Barnes and Noble will have the Illustrated Companion to the Wizard of Oz book which looks incredible. Here's a sell sheet posted on The Judy Room for those that haven't seen it yet.

http://www.thejudyroom.com/misc/ozanniversary/newbook/OZ_SELLSHEET_2page_lorez-1.pdf I have to wonder if Barnes and Noble might be planning a promotion similar to last year's Wicked promotion. I found these dolls on the Barnes and Noble website made by Madame Alexander. No pricing or release info as yet. These dolls are not featured on Madame Alexander's site which leads me to conclude these dolls could be Barnes and Noble exclusives. Please click on the photo to enlarge. Each doll is 9" tall.

Updates...Teleflora, Monchhichi, and More!!!

Lots of Updates!!! I imagine it’s only going to get busier from here. The “official” anniversary date is three weeks away and then the new DVD and Blu Ray sets in September. I’m expecting heavy advertising and point of purchase promos.

The Hallmark Wicked Witch ornament is sold out from Hallmark. Individual Hallmark stores should still have stock from their distributors but once they’re gone, they’re gone. And stores that carry Hallmark like Walgreens may have them if you need to find them later. If you are planning to purchase this ornament, try to do so soon. Many Hallmarks offer layaway if you’d need it.

Lenox will be releasing a figurine of Dorothy and the Scarecrow dancing. It stands at 7 ½” inches tall and it’s priced at $98.00. Karen Owens expects to have a photo soon. Right now Karen has flip flops in stock. http://wizardofozland.com/anniversary.php Watch her site for more 70th anniversary updates.

The new Wicked Witch themed fabric from Quilting Treasures is arriving at stores and you can also order from Karen. The colors are very deep and rich making the fabric look almost like a tapestry.

The Wonders of Oz figurine series is now shipping Glinda – Glittering Goodness.
http://www.collectiblestoday.com/ct/product/prdid-901271.jsp?wizard+of+oz&endeca=true
I will have photos of the rest of the series soon.

Aunt Em’s Farm from the Halloween Village is shipping
http://www.collectiblestoday.com/ct/product/prdid-917097.jsp?_wizard+of+oz/_prod/_/_/_12/_/_/_Y&endeca=true

The Jasmine Becket-Griffith Scarecrow Fairy is now shipping.
http://www.collectiblestoday.com/ct/product/prdid-906031.jsp?wizard+of+oz&endeca=true

Thanks to Jim Whitcomb and Lou Berrillo for keeping me updated regarding the Collectibles Today companies. I’ll have photos and updates on other pieces including the new 70th anniversary carousel coming very soon.

Annalee has added two more mice to it’s Wizard of Oz collection for 2010. You’ll want to pick up the Wizard and Glinda to add to your collection.
http://wizardofozland.com/figurines.php

Xseed Games will have The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road for Nintendo DS this fall. http://www.xseedgames.com/news.php?id=59

Kurt Adler erroneously sent out an email to their retailers announcing the Winged Monkey novelty nutcracker had been cancelled when in fact they were referring to it's more expensive counterpart the Steinbach. The novelty nutcracker should be more widely available very soon.

The 2010 Andrews McMeel calendar should be arriving any day now.
http://www.andrewsmcmeel.com/products/?isbn=0740782169

Teleflora will have a promotion this fall. There’s a figurine on eBay and I can imagine there’s a bouquet to go with it. I’ll post more information as I have it.

The Kansas State Lottery has 70th Annivesary Wizard of Oz scratch-its. Many Oz fans will remember for the 60th anniversary, people out of state were allowed to request sample tickets. That practice has been discontinued. Samples and tickets are only available within the state of Kansas.

Details on this next item are a little sketchy, I apologize. I can’t read Portuguese and the google translator only takes you so far. A shoe designer named Melissa in Brazil has a line of shoes or a company names Plastic Dreams and just like it sounds her shoes are made from recycled plastic. She has Wizard of Oz inspired shoes. Naturally the red pair has been the most popular. She has an English site but the Oz shoes don’t appear to be on there. Sometimes due to licensing restrictions items can’t be sold out of the country that produces them. http://www.melissaplasticdreams.com/home

The Wizard of Oz Teacup Collection is handsculpted with glitter accents. Dorothy and Toto is the first sculptural teacup in the series followed by Scarecrow, Tinman, Cowardly Lion, and more. Hopefully, that means the witches. The series is from the Hamilton Collection and the cups are 5” tall and $29.99 each plus shipping. Contact www.collectiblestoday.com to order. Thanks to Lou Berrillo and Robyn Bodine for the scans and info.

And now…………….what we’ve all been waiting for……………….oh yes………Wizard of Oz Monchhichi. Some of us will remember these little guys from our not so distant childhoods. And you know, whether you want to admit or not, you remember the theme song at least in part. . These will be in stock mid - late August. However, it looks like that Glinda may have been misidentified as she is not part of the Wizard of Oz set. Sorry witch fans. Please email Stu Carter of Atamaii Anime Toys for more information. info@atamaii.com
Check out his site for other fun non- Oz Asian toys. http://www.atamaii.com/

And please tell him you saw the Monchhichi here.

Thanks to Jane Albright for the heads up and thanks to Stu Carter for the photos. Hopefully, I’ll catch a lead on these little darlings very soon.

Please stay tuned to the Curiozity Corner for more updates and surprises as we continue to celebrate the 70th anniversary!!!!!!!!!!