Books

London:: Macmillan and Co., 1866. 1st Edition . Hardcover. Very Good. 12mo - over 6¾ - 7¾" tall. TENNIEL John 1820-1914. The second, first published edition, 1866 In the original publishers gilt red cloth, 3 circular lines containing a picture of Alice holding the Pig on the upper cover with the Cheshire Cat to the back cover, a little rubbed & soiled, cloth worn at some extremities. Professionally re-spined, old laid down, gilt titles. Internally, half-title, frontispiece, [10], [1], 2-192 pp, frontis, with tissue guard, + 42 illustrations by John Tenniel, a couple of short tears, some foxing, pale blue endpapers (earliest state), hinges with signs of repair, a.e.g. Housed in a custom red half morocco over red cloth drop-back- box, gilt titles to spine, gilt titles to morocco label to upper cover. (193*126 mm). (Crutch 46. Madan 33. Williams 10). A better than usual copy of Alice with an ownership inscription on half-title dated in the year of publication ( M.A. Watson…

"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.