Original Lewis Carroll Poem Signed Inside “Alice” to be Auctioned
Los Angeles - An original poem handwritten by Lewis Carroll on the half-title page of a presentation edition of the beloved book “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” will be auctioned by Nate D. Sanders Auctions on October 26, 2017.
Carroll dedicated the poem in 1875 to Jessie Howard Clark, the sister of an “Alice” who died in infancy. Jessie Howard Clark’s father was the author John Howard Clark, who wrote to Lewis Carroll regarding “Bertie and the Bullfrogs,” a book Clark wrote, which was inspired by “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Carroll composed the original poem after learning Clark’s daughter Alice had died in infancy. The poem is dedicated to Alice’s sister Jessie. Cleverly constructed so the letters of the first word in each line form Jessie’s full name, “Jessie Howard Clark,” the poem and copy of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” is one-of-a-kind.
The inscribed 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.''
Bidding for the book with the poem begins at $40,000.
Additional information on the poem can be found at
http://natedsanders.com/Lewis_Carroll_Autograph_Poem_Signed_in___Alice_s_A-LOT47642.aspx
About Nate D. Sanders Auctions
An industry leader in documents and autographs, Nate D. Sanders Auctions has conducted auctions in Los Angeles since 1990 and now holds major auctions on a monthly basis. Owner Nate Sanders is recognized for his knowledge of sports, historical and Hollywood memorabilia. To learn more visit natedsanders.com
