Books

First trade edition, first impression, with an original pen and ink drawing on the half-title of the White Rabbit in dressing gown and striped slippers, signed lower right ("Arthur Rackham"). In 1907, the copyright of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland expired and numerous publishers issued newly illustrated editions. Arthur Rackham's edition is one of the few that has endured, and his illustrations stand comparison with the original drawings by John Tenniel. Octavo. Original green cloth, spine and front cover lettered in dark green, front cover with pictorial decoration in gilt, rear cover with publisher's device in dark green, illustrated endpapers, top edge yellow. Leicester Galleries Exhibition announcement slip for 1913 loosely inserted. Colour frontispiece and 12 colour plates, with captioned tissue guards, black and white illustrations in the text, all by Rackham. Ownership signature of a Hobart Fordy to half-title. Extremities a little worn, spine toned, minor marks to rear cover, some light foxing and browning, occasional finger-soiling, front hinge cracking: a very good copy. Latimore & Haskell p. 29; Riall p. 77.

"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.