November 24, 2009

Alice’s Alice on the block

by

Alice Liddel's copy of Through the Looking Glass

Alice Liddel's copy of Through the Looking Glass

A copy of Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There that was owned by the woman who, as a little girl, inspired it — yep, the original Alice in Wonderland — is going on the auction block next month, according to a Reuters wire story.

As the Reuters report reminds us, “When she was 10 years-old in 1862, Alice Liddell went on a picnic with her neighbor, the Oxford mathematician Charles Dodgson, who wrote under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll. He told her a story that later became the classic book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Through the Looking Glass was the sequel.

The book, which is expected to go for around $150,000, is from a collection owned by former NFL football player Pat McInally. It also includes a copy of The Tale of Peter Rabbit that was owned by its author, Beatrix Potter.

(Reuters) — A copy of the book “Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There” that belonged to the British girl who inspired author Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” will be sold at an auction next month, the company behind the sale said on Monday.

At its December 16 auction, Profiles in History also will sell a copy of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” that belonged to its author, Beatrix Potter. The items come from the collection of former U.S. professional football player Pat McInally, the auctioneer said.

“Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There,” which belonged to the late Alice Liddell before it came into McInally’s collection, has an estimated sales price of $150,000.

When she was 10 years-old in 1862, Alice Liddell went on a picnic with her neighbor, the Oxford mathematician Charles Dodgson, who wrote under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll. He told her a story that later became the classic bookAlice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”

His book “Through the Looking Glass” was a sequel.

Potter’s copy of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” is expected to sell for up to $120,000, Profiles in History said.

The auction, which focuses on children’s literature, also includes a first edition copy of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and signed, limited edition copies of author A.A. Milne‘s “Winnie the Pooh” and “The House at Pooh Corner.”

The auction is expected to generate total sales of $1 million, said Profiles in History (http://www.profilesinhistory.com).

Dennis Johnson is the founder of MobyLives, and the co-founder and co-publisher of Melville House.

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