Beschreibung:

DODGSON, Charles Lutwidge ("Lewis Carroll," 1832-1898). Alice's Adventures Under Ground. Being a facsimile of the original ms. book afterwards developed into "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" . London: Macmillan, 1886. 8 o (183 x 124 mm). 37 illustrations by the author, including 14 full-page. Original gilt-stamped red cloth, spine gilt-lettered, edges gilt (a little wear to extremities, spine slightly darkened). Provenance : Katie Ralston (presentation inscription from the author). FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY, inscribed by the author on the half-title: "Katie Ralston from the Author Jan. 1887." A facsimile of the first draft of Alice's Adventures in the author's hand, and containing his illustrations from which Tenniel's designs were later based. There are about 12,715 words as compared with more than 26,708 in the extended form which was published containing added episodes. Williams-Madan-Green-Crutch 194. [ With :] DODGSON. An Easter Greeting to Every Child Who Loves "Alice" . [Oxford: privately printed], 1876. Single leaf folded to 4 pp. FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY, inscribed by Dodgson at the top: "for Katie from the Author Ap./83" [inscription somewhat faded]. Frequently reprinted, this publication was intended to be inserted into copies of The Hunting of the Snark (1876). Williams-Madan-Green-Crutch 116. [ With :] DODGSON. Autograph letter signed ("C.L. Dodgson") to above recipient's father, expressing his sorrow for the loss of his child. Eastbourne, 2 October 1885. One page, small 8vo, ink somewhat faded; matted and framed with photographic portrait of the author . "Dear Mr. Ralston, Please accept my sincere sympathy, for yourself & Mrs. Ralston, in the loss of your little one - I like to know that she loved my little books. Sincerely yours C.L. Dodgson." According to Lewis Carroll's Diaries, 1877-1883 , Vol. 7 (edited by Edward Wakeling), Dodgson notes that on 11 April 1883: "Called on W Ralston... who I hope will draw me some pictures. I was pleased with him, and also his children, Katie, Shirley, Ethel, Dorothy, and Edith. 'Katie ' (aged 10) has a sweet anxious look - too old a look for one so young." Wakeling identifies Ralston as an artist, chiefly of magazine illustrations, who with his wife Grace had five children, of which Kate (or "Katie"), born in 1873, was the eldest. We cannot determine for which child's death Dodgson wrote this letter of sympathy, but because of the date of the inscribed Under Ground (see above) we know it was not for daughter "Katie."