Books

London: Macmillan and Co., 1868 & 1872.. Two volumes bound in one. "Alice" twelfth thousand, or the first issue of the sixth edition, "Looking-Glass" first edition, first issue. 8vo. (x), 192; (xii), 224, (2) pp. Slightly later red half morocco over matching cloth sides by Maclehose of Glasgow, spine with raised bands, gilt lettered to two panels, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Frontispiece and 41 illustrations plus frontispiece and 49 illustrations by John Tenniel. A handsome copy. Williams, Madan, Green & Crutch, 46d and 84.

"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.