- 647
Carroll, Lewis [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson]
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Carroll, Lewis [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson]
- A pair of Alice books, both inscribed by the author, comprising:
- PAPER
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Macmillan, 1880, [sixth edition, later impression] ‘sixty-fourth thousand’, presentation copy inscribed by the author (“Bessie Hussey| from the Author”) on a slip tipped in on reverse of frontispiece, also with envelope addressed to Mrs Hussey by the author (postmark 14 June 1881) tipped in on verso of front free endpaper, [Williams, Madan, Green and Crutch 46d], gathering M becoming loose, upper hinge split, loss to spine; Through the Looking-Glass. Macmillan, 1872, first edition, presentation copy inscribed by the author (“Elizabeth Ley Hussey - | from the Author. | Christmas. 1871”) on half-title, [Williams, Madan, Green and Crutch 84], lower joint split with tear to spine, lower hinge split, both 8vo, wood-engraved illustrations after John Tenniel, original pictorial cloth, gilt edges, some spotting and browning, bindings slightly skewed(2)
Robert Hussey (1803-1856), Regius Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Oxford, and his wife, Elizabeth née Ley (1810-1896) had one daughter: Elizabeth "Bessie" Ley Hussey (1852-1919). The family lived in Oxford but moved to Brighton following the death of Robert Hussey. When Dodgson arrived as an undergraduate at Christ Church in 1851 he was given rooms by Mrs Hussey’s brother, Jacob Ley. This is likely to be the connection between Dodgson and the Husseys.
On 28 December 1880, Dodgson wrote in his diary: "Called on Mrs. Hussey and Bessie, at 37 Bedford Square." The diary also records that he lunched with Mrs Hussey two days later. On 14 June 1881, the date of the envelope, Dodgson noted in his diary that he has “feverish symptoms… so… sent for Mr. E.L. Hussey, who is now dosing me with quinine”. It is thought that E.L. Hussey was Mrs Elizabeth Hussey’s nephew. Any of these meetings might have promoted Dodgson to send an inscription slip for Bessie's copy of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. On 8 December 1871 Dodgson recorded in his diary that he had sent out 100 copies of Looking Glass. Edward Wakeling notes in his edition of Lewis Carroll’s Diaries, Vol 6 (Clifford, 2001) that the majority are inscribed “from the Author, Christmas 1871”, as here (see page 190-91). A census of these copies has now identified 89 recipients, excluding the present copy.
Robert Hussey (1803-1856), Regius Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Oxford, and his wife, Elizabeth née Ley (1810-1896) had one daughter: Elizabeth "Bessie" Ley Hussey (1852-1919). The family lived in Oxford but moved to Brighton following the death of Robert Hussey. When Dodgson arrived as an undergraduate at Christ Church in 1851 he was given rooms by Mrs Hussey’s brother, Jacob Ley. This is likely to be the connection between Dodgson and the Husseys.
On 28 December 1880, Dodgson wrote in his diary: "Called on Mrs. Hussey and Bessie, at 37 Bedford Square." The diary also records that he lunched with Mrs Hussey two days later. On 14 June 1881, the date of the envelope, Dodgson noted in his diary that he has “feverish symptoms… so… sent for Mr. E.L. Hussey, who is now dosing me with quinine”. It is thought that E.L. Hussey was Mrs Elizabeth Hussey’s nephew. Any of these meetings might have promoted Dodgson to send an inscription slip for Bessie's copy of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. On 8 December 1871 Dodgson recorded in his diary that he had sent out 100 copies of Looking Glass. Edward Wakeling notes in his edition of Lewis Carroll’s Diaries, Vol 6 (Clifford, 2001) that the majority are inscribed “from the Author, Christmas 1871”, as here (see page 190-91). A census of these copies has now identified 89 recipients, excluding the present copy.
Provenance
Elizabeth Ley Hussey, inscription; later signature of owner in married name
Condition
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."
"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."