October 2017 Auction Ends Thursday, October 26th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/26/2017
Original autograph poem signed by Lewis Carroll, dedicated to the sister of an ''Alice'' who died in infancy. Carroll composes the tender poem inside a presentation copy of ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' (London: MacMillan and Co., 1874), inscribed on the half-title page in Carroll's signature purple ink, ''Presented to Jessie Howard Clark, in remembrance of her sister Alice, by the Author / July 15, 1875''. Young Jessie lived in Australia which served as the basis for the poem, alongside the themes of death and the connected experience of childhood across the world. The poem is additionally constructed so that the letters of the first words of each line form the recipient's name, ''Jessie Howard Clark''. Written on the page opposite the table of contents, poem reads in full,
''Just half a world to travel o'er,
E're this may reach its Southern home:
Such waters wide between us roare
So many a league of barren foam.
In vain the trackless interspace -
England's white ships can cleave the flood,
Hailing as brethren every race
Of English speech & English blood.
Wherever English childhood dwells
'Alice' may hope to find a band
Ready to listen while she tells
Dreams of the shadowy 'Wonderland.'
Child-friend, whom I shall never see!
Let me in fancy feel thee nigh,
And trust in other lands to be
Remembered as the years go by -
Kind thoughts will live, though we may die.
Lewis Carroll.
July 15, 1875.''
Jessie's father was author John Howard Clark, who originally wrote Charles Dodgson, aka Lewis Carroll, regarding his own book ''Bertie and the Bullfrogs'', inspired by ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland''. Upon learning that Clark had a daughter Alice who died in infancy, Carroll kindly composed this poem and gifted it to Clark's other daughter Jessie. Book measures 5'' x 7.25'', bound in publisher's red boards with gilt titling. With original black endpapers and all edges gilt. Separation starting to front and rear joints, and scuffing to boards. Interior is clean, including manuscript pages. Overall in very good condition, with a dramatic presentation.
Lewis Carroll Autograph Poem Signed in ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' -- Carroll Cleverly Composes an Acrostic Poem Where the First Letter of Each Line Reveals a Message
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