"Carroll, Lewis" [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson]

8vo, first edition, second issue [first American edition] comprising the sheets of the first (suppressed) English edition of 1865 with a cancel-title, title-page in Livingston's first variant state (no priority) (the first "By" above and to the left of "C" in "Carroll"; the second "By" almost directly above "T" in "Tenniel" and in the date "66" is below and to the left of "Co."), hyphen in "Rabbit-Hole" on Contents page, wood-engraved illustrations after John Tenniel, original pictorial cloth, gilt edges, collector's morocco-backed slipcase and chemise, some light browning, two leaves torn (one with marginal loss), binding slightly soiled, extremities rubbed, some skillful restoration and repair to spine and hinges

Williams, Madan, Green and Crutch 44 and 45; Livingston see pp. 12-13

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The first edition of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was printed in London in 1865, but was suppressed because John Tenniel strongly disliked the way the illustrations were printed. Only around twenty copies survive of which the majority are in institutional collections. An offer was made from America to buy the remaining sheets of the 1865 edition, and since both Dodgson and Tenniel were unconcerned about American distribution of the early sheets, 1952 copies were issued by Appleton with tipped-in title-pages dated 1866. Williams, Madan, Green and Crutch list 1000 copies as item 44 and the remaining 952 copies as item 45. It is thought that differences in the setting of the title-page merely represent different states rather than issues.

The present edition is, therefore, the earliest edition that can be obtained. This copy bears an early gift inscription on the half-title, dated "Xmas 1866".