Books

London: MacMillan and Co., 1866 1872. (10),192;(12),224 pp. Octavo. Original red cloth with gilt decoration on the boards. Gilt title on spine. All edges gilt. Original dark blue/green endpapers. Modern bookplate on front endpaper of both titles. Half titles. Previous owners notation on the half title of Alice. Both titles have darkened boards and are soiled. Old crease on the front board of Alice. Both are slightly cocked. Both volumes are generally very clean internally with only a hint of foxing. A decent set of "Alice" comprising the the First available UK edition of Alice and the First UK edition of Through the Looking-Glass. 1866

"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.