About the item: An authentic, rare collectible edition of Lewis Carroll's masterpiece "Alice in Wonderland", published around 1935 by the London publishing house W. Foulsham & Co. This is a special first UK edition of this specific illustrated variant (First Edition Thus), adorned with distinctive illustrations by the artist Gilbert Day. This copy represents one of the world's most famous works of imagination and literary nonsense, which has exerted a significant influence on world children's literature and popular culture. Valued for its exceptional interwar aesthetics, the illustrator's unique style, and its collectible value, this edition is an excellent example of classic children's literature, remaining highly sought after in the antiquarian book market.
Technical Information: The physical dimensions of the book are 18 × 15 cm. The place of origin is London, United Kingdom, the publication date is circa 1935, and the publisher is W. Foulsham & Co. This is the first edition of this specific illustrated variant in the United Kingdom (First Edition Thus). The book belongs to the category of children's literature and illustrated editions, published in English with original hardback covers. The condition of the object is good considering its age – the original covers show natural traces of use and age, wear on the edges of the spine, and an old handwritten inscription remains on the front free endpaper (FFEP), while the interior pages and illustrations remain clean and in good condition.
Artistic and Structural Analysis: This 1930s edition offers a distinctive visual interpretation of L. Carroll's classic story, moving away from Sir John Tenniel's traditional illustrations. The publication is adorned with a frontispiece and numerous text illustrations created by Gilbert Day, characterized by clear graphic drawing and expressive character depictions. The illustrations subtly convey the surreal atmosphere of Wonderland while maintaining the aesthetics typical of interwar British book graphics. The text pages feature a soft natural patina characteristic of the printing of that era. The original hard binding shows natural signs of wear along the edges of the spine, and the old handwritten inscription on the endpaper adds additional authenticity and an individual history to the volume.
Historical and Geographical Context: The novel by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, a mathematics lecturer at Oxford University who wrote under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll, was first published in 1865 in Victorian England. The work, whose main character shares her name with the author's acquaintance Alice Liddell, fundamentally changed the concept of children's literature – it abandoned strict moralizing and prioritized imagination, playfulness, and intellectual humor. The story of Alice's journey to Wonderland has fascinated readers worldwide for over a century and a half, has been translated into more than 170 languages, and is considered one of the most significant works of world children's literature. This edition by W. Foulsham & Co., appearing around 1935, reflects the desire of interwar publishers to present classic works to a new generation through original illustrations and a more contemporary artistic design.
Collectible and Investment Significance: The collectible value of this edition is determined by several important aspects. First and foremost is its "First Edition Thus" status – the very first edition of this specific illustrated variant, which is of great interest to collectors of Lewis Carroll's work and lovers of illustrated books. Additional value is provided by Gilbert Day's illustrations, representing a unique direction in interwar British book graphics. No less important is the cultural significance of the work itself – "Alice in Wonderland" remains one of the most frequently published and recognizable works of children's literature in the world. Interwar British editions in original hardcovers generally enjoy stable collectible demand and aesthetic appeal. This copy will perfectly complement a private library, a collection of illustrated books, or serve as an exclusive gift for a lover of classic literature and antiquarian publications. It is an authentic example of British publishing and book art from the first half of the 20th century, harmoniously combining the immortal creation of Lewis Carroll, the exceptional graphics of Gilbert Day, and long-term collectible value.
