Books

New York: Appleton, 1866. 1st American edition / Ist edition, second issue.. Hardcover. Very good. In 1865 Macmillan printed this book in England and recalled it because John Tenniel, the illustrator considered the printing of the illustrations unsatisfactory. After consulting with Tenniel, Lewis Carroll authorized Macmillan to sell 1,952 bound copies to Appleton in New York with a new title page replacing Macmillan with D. Appleton and dated 1866. The new title page was tipped onto the excised stub of the Macmillan 1865 edition. Top edge and fore edge gilt. A few small waterspots on the front cover. The half title page has some writing on it and the lower fore edge corner has had a professional repair of the lower fore edge corner not affection the text. Spine a little darkened otherwise a tight copy. Michael Hancher, author of The Tenniel Illustrations to the "Alice" Books was in the shop this summer and examined our copy of this book. There is a census of the extant copies of…

"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.