1976 Winkie Convention

In 1976, the Winkies met in July (23-25), with Frederick E. Otto serving as chair. Program features included Peter Hanff's slide lecture about Ruth Plumly Thompson's nineteen Oz books, and a presentation of the 1925 silent version of THE WIZARD OF OZ starring Larry Semon (as the Scarecrow) and Oliver Hardy (as the Tin Woodman). Elsa Wentler and Peter Hanff mounted a major exhibition of Oz and non-Oz books by Baum and his successors drawn from their collections. Marilyn Tracy, from the land of the Oogaboos (the Pacific Northwest) attended for the first time, and her costume as the Patchwork Girl of Oz won first prize in the now traditional Winkie Costume Parade and Contest. Warren Hollister served again as Winkie Auctioneer. This was a heady time for collectors, for generous Winkies donated such things as a first edition of THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ (with Elsa Wentler the successful bidder) and a second-state of LITTLE WIZARD STORIES OF OZ. Collectibles of all sorts seemed to flow across the auction table.

From Winkie Newsletter Vol 2 #5, Written by Peter Hanff