TWO VOLUMES. BOTH FIRST EDITIONS. 8vo, (Alice 7.6 x 5.3 inches, : Looking Glass 7.4 x 5.1 inches.---- Alice in Wonderland, when originally issued, was a taller book. Later editions were reduced in size to the same dimensions as Through the Looking Glass).
Both volumes are beautifully Illustrated throughout, with forty-two and fifty line engravings respectively, by John Tenniel .
Bright, clean copies, finely bound, by Bayntun-Riviere of Bath, in recent full deep red morocco bindings. Double gilt ruled borders on boards with circular gilt illustrations of Alice carrying the Pig, The Cheshire Cat, & both the Red and White Queens, reproducing the decorations on the original boards. Spines with raised bands, each with gilt piping. The compartments double ruled and lettered in gilt. All edges gilt. Marbled endpapers. Turn-ins with double gilt rules and decorative corner pieces.
Original gilt decorated publishers red cloth boards bound in at the end of each volume. Alice also has one of the original plain blue endpapers bound in. Both books are the first published London editions. Alice is the earliest state with the inverted 'S' at the bottom of the contents page and the light blue endpapers rather than the much more common dark green.
A very attractive pair of First Editions of these classic children's books. Housed in a purpose built, felt lined, slip case, also made by Bayntun, with a step for the shorter Looking Glass volume and red silk pull-tie. Covered in deep red cloth. Fine.
- Size: 8vo.
- Sold By: Paul Foster
- Contact Person: Paul Foster
- Country: United Kingdom
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: 44 20 8123 5373
- Preferred Payment Methods: Credit Cards, Bank Transfer, Paypal, Cheque.
- Trade Associations: ABA, ILAB, PBFA.