Tuesday 5 May 2015

I can't go back to yesterday... Alice in Wonderland

It’s hard to believe, but my blog will be four years old on the 6th May 2015. My first tentative post back in 2011 was a short piece about Marjorie Torry and her illustrations for Alice in Wonderland (here). The featured book sold and although I’ve searched high and low, I’ve never found another copy – until now - how fortuitous that one should turn up just in time for my blogiversary. Enjoy!

The Alice book featured here is now sold, thank you for your interest.













All the featured images are from Alice in Wonderland, published by Purnell, London in 1964.  

I can't go back to yesterday because I was a different person then.”  - Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland.

When I wrote that very first blog post back in 2011  I was convinced it would remain unread forever – I was wrong! Thank you to every single person who takes the time to call in, your visits mean the world.


Lewis Carroll wrote Alice in Wonderland in 1865, so this year marks the 150th anniversary. Now that makes 4 years seem like a very short time indeed!

Alice: "How long is forever?" White Rabbit: "Sometimes, just one second.”
- Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland.

The Alice book featured here is now sold, thank you for your interest.

53 comments:

  1. Barbara,
    I woke up this morning feeling quite blue
    Yet was cheered no end by this blog post by you
    So your blog first started way back in the past
    But it is always so jolly I'm sure it will last.
    Happy Blogiversary!

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    1. Hello John,
      I was trying to reply in rhyme,
      but I’m not very good, and I’m long past my prime.

      So in the words of the March Hare “I have an excellent idea, lets change the subject”

      Thanks as always for your visit, I really appreciate it. Barbara.

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  2. Wow! Brilliant! Absolutely Brilliant!
    Always wished l could draw...The only thing l'm
    good at drawing..is money out the bank...HeHe!
    When it's there! :).

    The Mad Hatter: "Have l gone mad?"
    Alice: "I'm afraid so. Your entirely bonkers.
    But l'll tell you a secret. All the best people
    are".
    (Love that...Makes me feel better). :>).

    Oh! And happy Fourblogology years!!! :).

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    1. Welcome Willie, we’re all mad here!!

      Like you, I’ve always wanted to be able to draw, but it’s beyond me. I keep telling myself it can’t be that hard – but it is, it really is! Drawing cash out of the bank on the other hand is the simplest thing in the world!

      Thank you for your sweet blogology wishes – I’ve always wanted an ology does this mean I’ve got one?

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    2. Yes! Consider it on a certificate...Surrounded with
      gold leaf...! :). Yours to frame...! :>).

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    3. Wow! Gold leaf as well, that makes it really special, thanks Willie xx.

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  3. Oh, wow! Talk about Sweet Serendipity finding another copy of the book on your blog's anniversary. I love when things like that happen.

    Count me in as wishing I could draw or paint. It's always frustrated me that I don't possess that talent, because a being a children's illustrator would have been perfect for me. My brother could draw, but he did nothing with it. My sister was even so good she entered an art contest, but me? Noooo. I'm so envious that there are people in this world living that dream, and no matter how badly I wish to experience that, too... well that pipe dream just isn't happening. Maybe in my next life.....

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    1. Hi Kristin, it’s funny I had looked and looked for another copy, but it was only when I found one that I realised my Blog anniversary had come around again. The anniversary may well have passed unnoticed had it not been for the book. Life is strange like that!

      Maybe we will both be children’s illustrators in the next life. It would be nice to think we might meet up again. Alternatively, I could be an author, and you could illustrate my books or vice versa. :-)

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  4. Ha Ha Barbara how pleasantly wrong you were !
    I loved the images and they call for a quick dekko at your first post !
    I am real happy to be a part of your blogging world and wishes you success and love at the March House Books and the blog as well :)
    Its a place of quaint things and old world charm .. of tranquility and calm .. of rapture and love :)
    Happy Blogoversary ..stay blessed .

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    1. Hello Kokila, thank you for taking a look at my first post. I was so nervous I honestly thought it would be the first and the last! I’m glad I did it though because it meant I got to meet lots of lovely people like you. Thank you for always saying the nicest things. Barbara.

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  5. And though I am usually late, I come and enjoy every word and book, picture and memory my dear friend. THIS is an outstanding sample of a era now gone for us all, but unlike Lewis Carrol, I do go back to because no matter how hard I've tried to change, I am still that little girl I was once, deep inside. And these images have to be the best I've ever seen for Alice in Wonderland. Stunning. I know if I showed these to my husband, he's want this book for our collection!

    BRAVO and congratulations on your Bloganniversary! And I am coming back to blogging....but not until after school is over. So happy to be here this morning! Anita

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    1. That’s such good news Anita – does it mean your book is finished???

      I’m glad you enjoyed the images I think they are truly beautiful.

      Much love Barbara.

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  6. Happy blogoversary and here's to many more such wonderful posts.

    Amazing illustrations even if the hedgehogs don't look too hedgehoggy.

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    1. Thank you Tracy! I hadn't noticed the hedgehogs – but you are quite right, maybe they are a cross between hedgehogs and porcupines :-)

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  7. This is just wonderful news, Barbara! What an amazing coincidence - or was it more than that? Have a fantastic blogiversary. These delightful drawings make me feel like a child again.xxx ps - My dear Mum is 89 on May 6!

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    1. Hello Marilyn, I had no idea what to write about this week and had completely forgotten about my blog anniversary. It was only when I found the Alice book and went back to see what I had previously written that I realised the significance.

      According to Deepak Copra “When a coincidence arises, don’t ignore it. Ask yourself, What is the message here? What is the significance of this? You don’t need to go digging for the answers. Ask the question, and the answers will emerge. They may arrive as a sudden insight, a spontaneous creative experience, or they may be something very different. Perhaps you will meet a person who is somehow related to the coincidence that occurred. An encounter, a relationship, a chance meeting, a situation, a circumstance will immediately give you a clue to its meaning. “Oh, so that’s what it was all about!”

      Now all I have to do is wait – or maybe I’ve already enjoyed the spontaneous creative experience – this post really did write itself!

      Please wish your Mum a Very Happy 89th birthday from me, Barbara

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    2. I really hope you've had a lovely day. I know I'm richer for having you as a 'friend' Barbara xxx

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  8. I'm so glad you did write that first post, Barbara, otherwise I would never have gotten to know you and family and all your other wonderful blog posts. Congratulations and Happy Blogaversary.

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    1. That is just how I feel about you and your blog Alex, but you’ve said it so much better than I could. Thank you for your kind wishes, Barbara.

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  9. Thought I recognised the pictures, that was the copy I had!
    Julie xxxxxxxx

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    1. That's lovely Julie, I hope you are still enjoying it. Barbara xx

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  10. Happy blogiversary, Barbara! Those are beautiful pictures and I absolutely LOVE the quote. I might have to 'steal' it! It's been wonderful knowing you these past few years. xx

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    1. Thanks Sophie. Please ‘steal’ away. I’m so pleased you are blogging again I must get back into the habit of visiting you. Barbara xx

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  11. Congratulations on 4 years of blogging!! I have enjoyed your posts so much over the years. So glad I found your site.The illustrations in this copy of Alice in Wonderland are exquisite.

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    1. Thank you Darlene, I feel just the same about you. xx

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  12. What lovely illustrations. I didn't know about this edition of AIW. I have Tenniel's and Rackham's illustrated versions. But this one is beautiful in its own right.

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    1. Hello Sharon, these illustrations are very different to the ones done by Tenniel and Rackham, but I love them just as much! Thanks for calling in, Barbara.

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  13. Happy Blogiversary, Barbara, and long may the blogging continue!

    I'd also never seen these illustrations before - like Sharon, I know the Tenniel and Rackham ones well (and the Disney film, of course) - but these have a definite charm, too.

    I also had a copy of Alice in Wonderland when I was little which had belonged to my father and I can't for the life of me remember much about the illustrations. I remember the book - it was big and substantial with very thick pages, coloured cover, black and white illustrations, probably published in the 1920s or early 1930s.

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    1. Thank you Sue, there are days when I wonder what I can share next but something usually turns up! The best part of blogging is meeting lovely people like you, and always having something new to read.

      Alice was published in countless different editions between 1900 -1940. Some of the best-known artists of the time like Gwynned Hudson, Willy Pogany, Charles Folkard, Arthur Rackham, Thomas Maybank, Millicent Sowerby, Harry Rountree, Heath Robinson, Frank Adams, Alice B Woodward, Margaret Tarrant and Mabel Lucie Attwell did their own versions. Alternatively, you may be remembering one of the early editions with illustrations by John Tenniel. If you go to Google images and type in Alice in wonderland books from the 1920s and 30s, you just might spot the copy you remember.

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  14. Happy Blogiversary! What wonderful images from this book! The quote you picked is perfect!

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  15. Happy Blogiversary! 4 years goes by fast. I was just thinking last night and think it has been 4 years since Jess and I started blogging together. I think we found your blog sometime in that first year and have been fans ever since. :)

    I loved these pictures from Alice in Wonderland. Especially since I made a decision two days ago to reread Alice in Wonderland and wrote it on my list of things to do this month! The pictures came at the perfect time for me. Definitely need to read it again soon. These pictures are gorgeous. I am so glad you came across another copy 4 years later. :)

    Have a lovely weekend!

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    1. Hello Stephanie, I had no idea we started blogging in the same year, but now that you mention it it must be four years since I first visited you. I’m so pleased you found my blog as it meant I also found yours.

      I love reading Alice in Wonderland and tend to do so every couple of years, there is always something new to discover. It certainly stands the test of time. Barbara x

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  16. Hi Barbara,

    And thus, your blogging anniversary has but passed. Yet, the magic within your blog shines on in your heart and all those who have never forgotten about their inner child.

    Bless and hearty congratulations.

    Gary :)

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    1. Thanks so much Gary. I must come and visit you soon. It's been too long. Barbara.

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  17. Oh, I do love all things Alice, and those illustrations are just perfect!

    Thank you so much for sharing.

    Happy blogiversary, dear Barbara. ♥

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    1. You are a girl after my own heart Yvonne – I love all things Alice Too.
      Thanks for visiting, Barbara. x

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    2. I've shared the first image, and a link to your blog, over on the Facebook page. x

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  18. Congratulations on your Blogiversary, Barbara!!

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  19. What beautiful Alice illustrations and congrats on the four years!

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    1. Hello Marcia, I couldn’t agree more; they are beautiful! Thank you for your good wishes, Barbara

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  20. Happy Blogaversary Barbara! Such lovely, colourful illustrations too in this book.

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    1. Thanks Anne Marie, those four years have gone so fast, it must be because I’m getting old!

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    2. You, never! I must get my act together and do something too, just never seem to have the time at the moment.

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  21. Hello Barbara, This is a wonderful post again. The pictures give the feel of a Wonderland on the blog itself. :-).

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    1. Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Barbara

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  22. Dear Barbara I am sorry I missed your blogoversary. But wishing you a belated one. My internet has been very temperamental here and to top it all we had a major outage in our area in UK before we left. So i have not had much time to visit blogs. Today wonder of wonders I got through to your wonderful blog and was able to read your beautiful post. Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful images. The Cheshire Cat looks quite cute in these illustrations. I had a book that had John Tenniel illustrations. as a kid I always thought the cat in my book looked rather evil and horrible because I was always comparing the picture with my cat:-). But I loved the book which was handed down to me by my mum's friend which was handed down to her by her mum's friend. It showed its age and how it was loved but I did not mind it. How I wish I still had it. However I did manage to get a similar book and the cat still looks a bit evil hehe.

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    1. Dear Shashi, your visits are always appreciated, and you never need to say sorry. We are supposed to be getting high-speed broadband soon, but at the moment it is just getting slower and slower. We would hate to be without it though, so slow is much better than nothing. I agree with you about the Tenniel cat it is scary. I've always thought so. The one in this version looks far friendlier. Lovely memories of the book though and I’m glad you’ve managed to find a similar one. I hope your mum is OK, safe travels. Barbara.

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  23. Congratulations on 4 years. I remember when I first discovered your wonderful blog. Love the illustrations in this book. Lewis Carroll was very wise, wasn't he?

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    1. Hello Donna, thank you for your friendship and visits over the years. xxx

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I really appreciate your comment. Thank you!
Barbara xx