Friday 20 September 2013

Book of the Week: Alice In Wonderland illustrated by A. A. Nash

On the 4th July 1862, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson accompanied by Alice Liddell, her two sisters and the Rev. Robinson Duckworth, took a boat trip from Oxford to Godstow. During the trip, Charles narrated a story about a little girl called Alice and her trip underground. This was to be the basis for Alice’s adventures in Wonderland first published in July 1865, three years after the now-famous boat trip. 


John Tenniel illustrated the first edition but when the copyright on the illustrations expired in 1907, various other artists provided new artwork for Alice and its sequel through the looking-glass.


Alice is more popular than ever now, with collectors eagerly seeking editions illustrated by a diverse range of artists. The edition featured here is illustrated by A. A. Nash.   


While the original Alice (Alice Liddell) had short dark hair, Lewis Carrol gave 'his' Alice long hair, and Tenniel turned it fair! In this 1960s edition, A A Nash stuck with fair hair but styled it into a fashionable bob. The clothing also reflects a more up-to-date Alice with her blue check dress and white sandals.


In this illustration, a very confident looking Alice approaches a hookah smoking Caterpillar with human face and hands! 


Here Alice encounters The Duchess singing a lullaby and giving the baby a violent shake at the end of every line:

“Speak roughly to your little boy,
And beat him when he sneezes:
He only does it to annoy,
 because he knows it teases.”


I love this courtroom scene. "Consider your verdict," said the King. "No, No!" said the Queen. "Sentence first - verdict afterwards." "Stuff and nonsense!" said Alice loudly. "Off with her head!" the Queen shouted at the top of her voice. "Who cares for you?" said Alice. "You're nothing but a pack of cards!"
  
Alice in Wonderland illustrated by A.A Nash is now sold, thank you for your interest.

Did you know? Alice in Wonderland is frequently cited as one of the most influential and oft-quoted books after the Bible and the works of William Shakespeare.

Some previous Alice posts;  Alice in Wonderland illustrated by Marjorie Torrey here and Alice in Wonderland tea party here




42 comments:

  1. ...wonderland awesomeness! ~ blessed be! ~ dear Barbara!...(O:

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    1. “In a Wonderland they lie, Dreaming as the days go by, Dreaming as the summers die: Ever drifting down the stream- Lingering in the golden gleam-
      Life, what is it but a dream?”
      Lewis Carroll
      This sums everything up so well – don’t you think? Thank you for your visit dear earthenmagic

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  2. Such a wonderfully colourful edition.

    I do love all things Alice.

    Michelle does indeed have a different view, and although I adore the books, I have to agree when she says it's a boring story for young children.

    If it wasn't for Disney's 1950s adaptation, perhaps it wouldn't be as well loved as it is today.

    It's always a joy to browse through your wonderful shop : )

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  3. Thank you Yvonne I feel the exact same way about your vintage shop on Etsy it's one of my favourites.

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  4. Hello there dear Barbara! Don't you just adore the innocence in these drawings of the children? Why can't our modern society allow children to remain children just a little longer (our American society) - this stage of life is beautifully captured in the fantasy of human-like animals and the smiles of children. WONDROUS! Happy weekend! Anita

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    1. Indeed, I do Anita and I agree that children should remain children just a little longer. I'm quite sure I will never 'grow up’ while surrounded by so many childish things – and I’m heartily glad about that! Thank you for your words of wisdom and for your weekend greetings. I wish the same for you – twice over! Barbara

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  5. I read Alice in Wonderland when I was younger, and I enjoyed it very much :)
    I love the illustrations of Alice in your post, they are so nice and colourful. Lovely post, Barbara, thanks for sharing.
    Enjoy your weekend :)

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    1. Hello Hilde, I thought you might like them. The illustrations are colourful and beautiful (much like your autumn dyes!) Happy weekend xx

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  6. What cute illustrations! When I was young, I so wanted to have lunch with the Mad Hatter, but the Queen of Hearts terrified me.

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    1. Hi Donna, I always thought the Queen of Hearts was a bit silly. I think I must have been rather precocious because I wanted to tell her to “be quiet and speak when spoken to” something that was drummed into me as a child.

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  7. Lovely. Occasionally I wish I was still a child so I could read these all over again.I still could but I have a daughter who'd never let me forget and probably post my folly on You tube.

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    1. I’m a big fan of You tube – go on I dare you!! :)

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  8. So many versions of Alice in Wonderland. I think children enjoy the absurdities. The drawings in this version are wonderful. Not surprised you sold it quickly.

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    1. I think you are absolutely right, children have the ability to laugh at just about anything. It’s only as we get older we somehow think things are too odd to laugh at.

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  9. I love the fresh take on Alice, although the human-faced caterpillar is a little creepy!!

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    1. I didn’t notice the caterpillar when I first looked at the book, it was only after I took the picture and even then I had to look twice! I’m not quite sure what that is all about! Thanks for calling in.

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  10. Oh Barbara, such a nice post! I love meeting "new Alices", and this one is very different to those I already know.
    The truth is when I was young I didn't like the story, too much fantasy and strange things for me but know I'm in love with the illustrations and love to know more versions.
    Besos!

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    1. Hello Silvina, I’m glad you enjoyed it. The story appealed to me when I was small, and still does. Maybe I’m a little bit odd! : )

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  11. Alice in wonderland is a wonderful book,and the illustrations in this post are awesome :)

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    1. Thanks Aunt Mary, I'm glad you enjoyed the illustrations.

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  12. So fascinating to see this edition of Alice! I love the story behind the story and think it is so interesting that I always picture Alice with blond hair because of the illustrations I have seen. :)

    I can see why people are on the search for various editions of this classic tale!

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    1. Hi Stephanie, I would love to see a ‘complete’ collection of Alice books – I wonder if there is such a thing? It would be fascinating to look at them all together. Thanks for your comment.

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  13. I do love stopping by here! Not only are the illustrations beautiful and often ones I haven't seen before. Even with the stories I am familiar with, it takes me back to memories of childhood, lovely.

    Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

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    1. And I love it when you stop by! Thanks so much for your comment.

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  14. Yikes a courtroom and a violent shaking! Oh dear Lewis Carroll what were you thinking? I think this story is for adults!

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    1. Actually, Eve I think kids deal with stories like this far easier than adults do! It's make believe when you are little it’s only as you get older that it really starts to mean anything! (at least that’s how I think of it) It was lovely to see you here today.

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  15. Alice's wonderland is the place to be.as always a very interesting post, thank you

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    1. Half the time I think that’s where I reside – I’m certainly stuck in childhood, and loving it! Thanks for your visit and comment Terence.

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  16. I love the story plot and characters, but the unabridged version wasn't the easiest to read (I remember I took quite a while to finish it). Still, the illustrations here are lovely. I especially like the one with Alice swimming with a rat. (The Alice here has such a pretty haircut. :))

    Barbara, thank you so much for telling me about your struggle with literacy. My goodness, your strong will is so inspiring!

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    1. My Godmother gave me an abridge version suitable for younger children, and I lapped it up. Somehow the nonsense rhymes made more sense to me than a lot of other things did!
      I’m not sure I’m strong willed, but I’m certainly stubborn! Thank you for your lovely comment Claudine, I value your friendship.

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  17. Always a favorite! And that is pretty crazy that it is one of the most quoted books of all time! Wow!
    -Jamie
    ChatterBlossom

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    1. Hi Jamie, it was news to me too! It was only when I started looking up Alice in Wonderland online that I came across the quote.

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  18. Hi Barbara,...Just popped over to see if you have my edition of 'Alice'.....~ by Margaret W Tarrant..~ It's very precious to me as it belonged to my Mama......1932 would be the year it was bought her.....We were always fascinated as children by the Queen of hearts and the Cheshire Cat in the illustrations .....and so were my children! ~ Alice just seems timeless! Happy new week dear Barbara...Hugs Maria x

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    1. Hello Maria, I know exactly the book you mean. I’ve had copies in the past but none at the moment. Margaret Tarrant is such a popular artist anything illustrated by her doesn’t hang around for very long. Don’t you think it’s amazing how these memories from childhood never leave us? I often forget what I had for breakfast, but I never forget the nursery rhymes I learnt all those years ago. Thank you for sharing such a lovely memory. xxxx

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  19. This was always my favourite childhood book. I would snuggle down in my bed and immerse myself in Alice's amazing world of adventure.

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    1. Me too - the nonsense verses always made perfect sense to me. If I wasn't reading Alice, I would be immersed in the famous five - happy days! Thanks for your visit.

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  20. Marvelous illustrations! I just found myself completely lost in them : ) ~ Jess

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    1. Hi Jess, That is such a lovely thing to say, thank you! Barbara

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  21. Its a lovely book Barbara - beautiful vivid illustrations. I'm not surprised this one was snapped up quickly!

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    1. Hi Sharon, it was no surprise to me either, but it made me sad to say good-bye quite so soon! Thank you for your lovely comment.

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  22. Oh, I felt like I was back in my own childhood wonderland when I read this - thanks so much, Barbara xxxxx Ps- my laptop suddenly sent out several repeats of my blog posts (without asking me first) this week! Please accept my apologies. :(

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    1. Hello Marilyn – no apologies needed, I love reading your posts and don’t mind how many times your laptop sends them!
      I’m glad you enjoyed my Alice post. Thanks for calling in and leaving a comment. Barbara

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I really appreciate your comment. Thank you!
Barbara xx