Item 100 is the near perfect collotype facsimile of the original manuscript for Alice's Adventures Underground, as written and illustrated by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (pen-name Lewis Carroll). Dodgson originally hand-wrote the story for young Alice Liddell, but he published it under a slightly different title in 1865. As we all know, it became enormously popular. In 1886, at Dodgson's suggestion, MacMillan published a facsimile of the original manuscript in 5,000 copies. In 1928, legendary bookseller A.S.W. Rosenbach purchased the original manuscript at auction and sold it to recording pioneer Eldridge R. Johnson, a founder of the Victor Talking Machine Co. Johnson then decided to make a superior facsimile for his friends, and this is one of what is believed to be just 50 copies of Johnson's facsimile. It is said to be virtually impossible to distinguish it from the original, except that the original is not in as nice shape. $2,350.
Item 267 is original artwork for book 2 of Twinkie Town Tales. This was a four-book series put out by the Hamilton Brown Shoe Company. The stories were written by Carlyle Emery, while the illustrations, including this piece, were provided by Arthur Henderson. Henderson created bright illustrations for these kewpie-like kids and their humanized animals. Henderson was also illustrator for Ruth Plumly Thompson's one pre-Oz book, The Perhappsy Chaps. This artwork is 26” x 18”, intended as a wraparound cover for the book. $2,200.
Aleph-Bet Books may be reached at 914-764-7410 or Helen@alephbet.com. Their website is found at www.alephbet.com.
