A rare first edition of Alice In Wonderland could fetch $2,9 million when hit auction block on June 16. One of only six 1865 copies in private hands, the book is also one of 10 known in an original red cloth binding. It contains 42 original drawings by the famed illustrator John Tenniel. Carroll had the entire 1865 edition of 2,000 withdrawn and 50 advance copies returned to him after Tenniel complained of being “entirely dissatisfied” with the quality of the printing of the illustrations.
The book was reprinted a year later.
Christie’s is offering the book together with a photograph Carroll took of the daughter of the book’s first owner.