1932, 1935 · New York
by (LIMITED EDITIONS CLUB). [DODGSON, CHARLES]. "LEWIS CARROLL," Pseudonym
New York: Limited Editions Club, 1932, 1935. Each one of 1,500 copies. 229 x 152 mm. (9 x 6"). Two volumes. Wonderland with an introduction by Henry Seidel Canby; "Looking-Glass" with an introduction by Carl Van Doren.
Publisher's attractively gilt red morocco (for "Wonderland") and matching blue calf (for "Looking-Glass"), both bindings designed by Frederic Warde, each with publisher's (lightly worn) slipcase that repeats the spine decoration from the volume, housed in a modern black buckram slipcase (spine ends of "Looking-Glass" neatly repaired). With 94 original illustrations by John Tenniel, the 43 illustrations for "Wonderland" re-engraved on wood by Bruno Rollitz, the 51 illustrations in "Looking-Glass" re-engraved by Frederic Warde. Signed in the colophon of "Wonderland" by the typography and binding designer Warde. With "Wonderland" title page vignette reproduced on Roman vellum and hand-colored, in an oval wood frame, this addition neatly housed in the larger slipcase along with the two printed volumes. Wonderland: Quarto-Millenary 36; Newman & Wiche 36a. "Looking-Glass": Quarto-Millenary 65; Newman & Wiche 65a. â—†Wonderland with shallow chipping to head of spine, "Looking-Glass" with front joint a little rubbed, small losses of leather at spine ends, and minor spotting to covers; the volumes otherwise as they should be, and internally as new.
This is an attractively produced private press edition of two of the best-loved works of children's literature, accompanied by a charming framed reproduction, on vellum, of Tenniel's white rabbit, garbed as a page to the Queen of Hearts. Our volumes owe their appeal in large measure to the taste and skill of typographer and designer Frederic Warde (1894-1939), whose lovely italic hand graces the colophon here. Perhaps best known for developing the elegant italic font Arrighi, Warde began his career as a printer with the house of William Edwin Rudge, later supervised the legendary Officina Bodoni, and afterward did work for several American private presses, including Crosby Gaige and, of course, the Limited Editions Club. Some copies of this edition were enhanced by a leaf signed by Alice Liddell Hargreaves (1852-1934), the daughter of Henry Liddell, dean of Christ Church, Oxford, for whose amusement Charles Dodgson originally composed these tales. Over the years, Alice had steadfastly refused requests to sign copies of the works, but agreed to provide signatures for the Limited Editions Club--at a price. The budget for the books' production could not accommodate her $1.50-per-signature price, so members were offered the option of paying the fee to have their copies signed. "Quarto Millenary" estimates that Hargreaves signed about 1,200 copies of "Wonderland," and Newman & Wiches says that only about 500 of "Looking-Glass" were signed; our former owner seems to have been among those unwilling to pay the premium.. (Inventory #: ST12683-005c)
Publisher's attractively gilt red morocco (for "Wonderland") and matching blue calf (for "Looking-Glass"), both bindings designed by Frederic Warde, each with publisher's (lightly worn) slipcase that repeats the spine decoration from the volume, housed in a modern black buckram slipcase (spine ends of "Looking-Glass" neatly repaired). With 94 original illustrations by John Tenniel, the 43 illustrations for "Wonderland" re-engraved on wood by Bruno Rollitz, the 51 illustrations in "Looking-Glass" re-engraved by Frederic Warde. Signed in the colophon of "Wonderland" by the typography and binding designer Warde. With "Wonderland" title page vignette reproduced on Roman vellum and hand-colored, in an oval wood frame, this addition neatly housed in the larger slipcase along with the two printed volumes. Wonderland: Quarto-Millenary 36; Newman & Wiche 36a. "Looking-Glass": Quarto-Millenary 65; Newman & Wiche 65a. â—†Wonderland with shallow chipping to head of spine, "Looking-Glass" with front joint a little rubbed, small losses of leather at spine ends, and minor spotting to covers; the volumes otherwise as they should be, and internally as new.
This is an attractively produced private press edition of two of the best-loved works of children's literature, accompanied by a charming framed reproduction, on vellum, of Tenniel's white rabbit, garbed as a page to the Queen of Hearts. Our volumes owe their appeal in large measure to the taste and skill of typographer and designer Frederic Warde (1894-1939), whose lovely italic hand graces the colophon here. Perhaps best known for developing the elegant italic font Arrighi, Warde began his career as a printer with the house of William Edwin Rudge, later supervised the legendary Officina Bodoni, and afterward did work for several American private presses, including Crosby Gaige and, of course, the Limited Editions Club. Some copies of this edition were enhanced by a leaf signed by Alice Liddell Hargreaves (1852-1934), the daughter of Henry Liddell, dean of Christ Church, Oxford, for whose amusement Charles Dodgson originally composed these tales. Over the years, Alice had steadfastly refused requests to sign copies of the works, but agreed to provide signatures for the Limited Editions Club--at a price. The budget for the books' production could not accommodate her $1.50-per-signature price, so members were offered the option of paying the fee to have their copies signed. "Quarto Millenary" estimates that Hargreaves signed about 1,200 copies of "Wonderland," and Newman & Wiches says that only about 500 of "Looking-Glass" were signed; our former owner seems to have been among those unwilling to pay the premium.. (Inventory #: ST12683-005c)
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