Books

New York: Limited Editions Club, 1932. First edition thus. Near Fine. Number 871 of 1500 copies signed on the limitation page by designer Frederic Warde and signed on a tipped in sheet by Alice Hargreaves, the author's inspiration for the book. Full crushed morocco ornately stamped in gilt. All edges brightly gilt. A Near Fine copy with minor soiling to the boards, but otherwise a handsome copy. Lacking the publisher's original slipcase, but this copy housed in a plain red cloth slipcase. Carroll's Alice in Wonderland is as memorable for its riddles and rhymes as it is for its rich cast of characters. Notable among them is Alice herself, an exceptionally curious and brave little girl who follows the White Rabbit down his hole and into the fantastical world of Wonderland. Ruled by the temperamental Queen of Hearts, Wonderland pushes Alice to push past logic and work toward creative and humorous solutions to social problems. Near Fine.

"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" follows the escapades of a curious young girl named Alice, who, while bored on a riverbank, spots a white rabbit in a waistcoat. She follows it down a rabbit hole and finds herself in a whimsical world. Throughout her journey, Alice encounters peculiar characters like the hookah-smoking Caterpillar, the grinning Cheshire Cat, and the Mad Hatter hosting a nonsensical tea party. She experiences a series of transformations, shrinking and growing, as she navigates through the bizarre landscapes and meets creatures like the March Hare and the Dormouse. The Queen of Hearts, with her penchant for ordering beheadings, adds a touch of absurdity to the already surreal environment. Alice grapples with the nonsensical rules of Wonderland, engaging in peculiar conversations that highlight the absurd logic of this fantastical realm. As she tries to find her way home, she faces challenges, solves riddles, and discovers that the reality of Wonderland often defies logic. Ultimately, Alice's adventures culminate in her realizing that the world she encountered was a dream. She wakes up on the riverbank, pondering the strange and wonderful events she experienced in Wonderland, leaving readers with a blend of imagination, whimsy, and thought-provoking absurdity. Carroll's tale remains a classic exploration of childhood, curiosity, and the unpredictable nature of dreams.

The true first editions can be identified by the binding, which is red cloth with a gilt stamped illustration on the cover and spine, gilt edges, and the date 1865 on the title page. Additionally, certain textual misprints or specific illustrations by John Tenniel can also indicate a first edition. In 1866, a USA version (First edition, second issue) was printed by D. APPLETON & CO, 445, BROADWAY which was made up using the actual sheets from the true first edition. This is known as the Appleton Alice version. An un-restored version is extremely rare.