Books

1869 Alice in Wonderland 1st ed FIRST EDITION Lewis Carroll Tenniel Art RARE "If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?" – Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland Lewis Carroll's landmark masterpiece, 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland,' was first published in 1865. This fascinating fantasy tale of a young girl falling down a rabbit hole, is surely one of the most iconic pieces of literature for all time. It has been adapted into many different versions of film, most notably by Disney in 1951. An impressive first American edition of "Alice in Wonderland", featuring forty-two of Tenniel's bizarre, cartoon illustrations. Tenniel's illustrations are often considered the best of the 'Alice' illustrations. Item number: #24934 Price: $2500 CARROLL, Lewis Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Boston : Lee and Shepard,…

"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.