Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1867)

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is the celebrated work of imaginative fiction by Lewis Carroll, first published in 1865, with early editions such as this 1867 printing representing the rapid and widespread success of the book during the Victorian era. Universally regarded as a cornerstone of children’s literature, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has enchanted readers for generations with its surreal narrative, playful logic, and unforgettable characters.

The story follows young Alice as she tumbles down a rabbit hole into a fantastical world where the rules of reality no longer apply. Along her journey, she encounters a host of iconic figures—from the hurried White Rabbit to the eccentric Mad Hatter and the formidable Queen of Hearts—each contributing to the book’s rich tapestry of absurdity and wit. The enduring appeal of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland lies in its layered storytelling, which blends whimsical fantasy with sharp linguistic humor and subtle satire of 19th-century society.

Condition – Very Good

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Collated and complete with 192 pages. Condition is consistent with age and careful ownership. The original boards show general shelf wear with rubbing to the spine ends and corners; however, the gilt spine title remains clear and legible. Four historic tape marks are visible on the covers where the spine was previously supported prior to professional repair. The text block retains its gilt edges, which remain in very good condition and enhance the book’s overall presentation.

A sympathetic modern repair has been carried out to secure both covers, likely addressing an earlier hinge weakness, and the volume is now structurally sound for handling and display. The original endpapers are retained.

Internally, there is some scattered foxing typical of the period, though not pervasive. A noticeable finger mark is present on pages 25–26, with small stains noted on pages 37 and 54.

A prior gift inscription dated “Christmas 1867” appears in ink on the verso of the original front endpaper. Despite these condition notes, the volume remains an attractive and authentic Victorian example, well suited to collectors of Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland material, and nineteenth-century illustrated literature.