The Library of Roger Wagner - PBA Galleries

NURSERY “ALICE” INSCRIBED TO QUEEN VICTORIA’S
GRANDDAUGHTER PRINCESS ALICE
9. cArroll, leWis. The Nursery “Alice”: Containing Twenty Coloured Enlargements from Tenniel’s Illustrations
to “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” with Text Adapted to Nursery Rhymes by Lewis Carroll. [10], 56, [5]
+ [2] pp. Chromolithographed frontispiece & 19 chromolithographed illustrations in the text from
Tenniel’s designs. 10x7½, original cloth-backed chromolithgraphed boards designed by E. Gertrude
Thomson.
London: Macmillan, 1890
Presentation copy inscribed by Carroll to
the granddaughter of Queen Victoria on the
half-title in blue ink, “Presented to H.R.H. the
Princess Alice by the Author, Mar. 25, 1890.”
With the bookplate of Alice Mary Victoria
Augusta Pauline on the front pastedown.
This is probably the highest level of a royal
presentation copy of this book, the association
made even more marvelous by the recipient
being an “Alice.” There were several trial issues
of the book in 1889. Avery 34. With modern
custom-made folding cloth box with leather
spine label. Some rubbing and soiling to the
boards, top corner of front board creased,
corners showing; top right quarter of the
second leaf of “An Easter Greeting” at the end
of the book torn off, affecting 9 lines of the
text, else very good.
(8000/12000)
HAND-PAINTED PORCELAIN “ALICE” MENU CARDS
USED AT TENNIEL FAMILY DINNERS
10. (Carroll, Lewis) Tenniel, John. Six Hand-Painted Alice in Wonderland Porcelain Plaques used as menu
cards at Tenniel family dinners. Six small hand-painted porcelain plaques by John Tenniel, each with its
own wrought-iron miniature easel. Each has a character from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland or
Through the Looking-Glass taking up about a quarter of the plaque, with the remainder blank, and
“Menu” written at the top of each. The plaques measure 5x3½; the easels are about 7½” high.
No place: No date
Lot 10
Lot 9
Marvelous and unique group of original hand-painted
plaques used as menu cards for the Tenniel family
dinners, descended in the family over the years. The
night’s fare was evidently written in the blank spaces
with a crayon or grease pencil, then wiped off after the
meal was completed. The characters pictured are The
White Rabbit (with his pocket-watch), the Mock Turtle
(crying away), the Frog Footman (delivering a letter), the
Walrus (without the Oysters and the Carpenter), the Leg
of Mutton (taking a bow), and a frog with a rake. The
plaques have a small wooden case with a removable top,
on which is a label with writing “China (Delicate)”. The
case top has two sides missing, some other wear. The
White Rabbit’s ears have rubbed off (alas), as has the
word Menu on that plaque, four other plaques with the
word Menu partially rubbed, otherwise in fine condition,
unchipped, the pictures bright.
(20000/30000)
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