Books

London: Macmillan and Co, 1866. First Published British Edition. Near Fine. First published edition, second overall which follows the suppressed British edition. First issue with the inverted “S” in the last line of the Contents page. Bound in dark blue morocco with five raised bands and spine lettered in gilt; gilt dentelles with marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Housed in a quarter leather over buckram cloth slipcase. With 42 illustrations by John Tenniel. Near Fine with light sunning to spine and modest wear at extremities. Armorial bookplate at front pastedown, light foxing to preliminaries, and small repair to edge of 97-98 p. Light toning and faint age staining to contents; vintage auction record tipped in at rear blank. Light rubbing and foxing to slipcase. A lovely first authorized edition of the fantasy classic, arguably the most important and most read work of children's literature. This edition was entirely reset by Richard Clay for this authorized Macmillan edition…

"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.