Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
London: Ward Lock & Co., 1920. Margaret W. Tarrant. Third Edition. Bound by Root & Son.
A beautifully produced early-20th-century illustrated edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, featuring 48 coloured plates by Margaret W. Tarrant, one of the most celebrated artists of the Golden Age of children’s book illustration.
This copy has been elegantly bound by Root & Son, London, one of the premier fine binders of the period, renowned for their craftsmanship and bespoke presentation bindings.
Bound in three-quarter green morocco over matching cloth boards, with:
Raised bands
Gilt-decorated compartments
Gilt titles and author
Gilt character portraits (Cheshire Cat and White Rabbit)
Top edge gilt
Marbled endpapers
Gilt-stamped initials “C.E.L. 3rd” on the front board
A deluxe and highly attractive binding in the classic Root & Son style.
Presentation Inscription:
A warm and historically interesting inscription appears on the front flyleaf:
> Christmas 1927
To Charles E. Lauriat 3rd
Dear Master Charles,
I fancy you would like a change from “Tiger Tim” this Christmas, so am sending you this pretty copy of a famous book. Let me know how you like it.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Yours sincerely
Herbert E. Root
London.
The inscription indicates this was a personal gift from Herbert E. Root, of the Root & Son bindery, to Charles E. Lauriat III, heir to the distinguished Lauriat family of booksellers and publishers (Charles E. Lauriat Co. of Boston). This was likely a bespoke binding and presentation copy prepared specially for the young Lauriat — a charming and meaningful association between two noted book trade families.
Historical Context & Provenance
Root & Son (London) was a prestigious bindery active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for high-end, hand-tooled bindings for collectors and bibliophiles.
Charles E. Lauriat III was a member of the prominent Lauriat bookselling dynasty, internationally known for fine books and rare editions. This volume represents a direct connection between premier British bookbinders and a leading American bookselling family.
The inscription’s reference to “Tiger Tim,” a popular children’s comic character of the era, situates the gift culturally in 1920s literary childhood.
Price: $1,500.00
See all items by Lewis Carroll