Books

Macmillan & Co. London. 1867. EARLY EDITION. Eighth Thousand. 8vo, (7.5 x 5.2 inches). Illustrated throughout, with forty line engravings by John Tenniel. A few minor marks to a handful of pages but overall a very good, clean copy in a fine leather binding. Recent full deep red morocco binding, gilt decorative borders on boards. Spines with raised bands, compartments decorated with gilt stamps of The Mad Hatter and playing cards. All edges gilt. Original publishers burgundy cloth boards, with gilt ruled lines and circular central illustrations, are bound into the back of each volume and show some rubbing and wear but are generally in fair condition. An attractive and early edition of this classic, published the year after the first published 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.