October 2017 Auction Ends Thursday, October 26th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/26/2017
Excellent autograph letter signed by Lewis Carroll, who signs with both his real name, ''Charles Dodgson'', and also with his '''nom de plume''', the ''alias Lewis Carroll''. Carroll writes from Christ Church, Oxford on 13 November 1874, regarding his famous protagonist Alice and his books ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' and ''Through the Looking-Glass''. With heart-felt content, Carroll responds enthusiastically to a man from Australia, whose children are enjoying the books. Letter reads in full, ''My dear Sir, I take much blame to myself for having left un-acknowledged, for more than seven months, your letter & the accompanying copies of your little book 'Bertie,' & of the 'Adelaide Observer'. As to the story, I take it as a great compliment that you should have chosen 'Alice's Adventures' as a model for imitation, & am only sorry that your skill & your time should have been given to so humble a task, instead of taking, as I do not doubt you would succeed even better in, a line of your own. / It is, I assure you, a source of real pleasure to me, who am a great lover of the race of children, to know that my little books are liked by so many, & in so many distant lands. They were inspired originally by an 'Alice', now a grown woman, & I have given away many copies since to other 'Alices,' & to many who do not bear her name. It is too much to hope that you have an 'Alice' among your children, but if there is one of your daughters (whatever her name) who is still young enough to care for a presentation copy of 'Alice', or of the 'Looking-glass,' it will give me great pleasure to send one. In that case, perhaps you will favour me with the names & ages of the children - both that I may form a more definite idea of my distant readers, & that I may judge what will be most acceptable: children sometimes like books best, when given to individuals & sometimes when given collectively, & I should be glad if you would suggest which would be preferred. Perhaps you can find one to whom 'Alice' would be acceptable, & another who would like a 'Looking-glass'. / I sign my real name to this, but request that you will not publish it in print, as I prefer the other as a 'nom de plume'. / Believe me yours truly / Charles L. Dodgson / alias 'Lewis Carroll.''' Letter on black-bordered card-style stationery measures 4.5'' x 7''. Folds, with one through Dodgson, and very light soiling, otherwise near fine condition.
Dual-Signed Autograph Letter by ''Charles L. Dodgson / alias 'Lewis Carroll''', With Alice & Looking Glass Content: ''...They were inspired originally by an 'Alice', now a grown woman...''
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