Available Copies from Independent Booksellers
Lewis Carroll. Doublets, A Word- Puzzle. Macmillan & Co, London, 1879.
Price: US$563.58 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: The book contains " a new puzzle" which was introduced in the magazine, Vanity Fair, in 1879. Carroll went on to publish this guide to the game and a glossary of words that would be suitable for the puzzle. The puzzle has gone on to become a well known brain teaser. Original red cloth boards with inset borders and gilt lettering on the cover. Lightly grubby covers. The front hinge is weak and holds well. Light foxing on the front pages. Browned title page which has a fold on the bottom corner. 10 x 15cm 16mo
Seller: Rare And Antique Books PBFA, Exeter, DEVON, United Kingdom
Carroll, Lewis. DOUBLETS - A WORD PUZZLE. Macmillan, 1879.
Price: US$728.35 + shipping
Description: DOUBLETS - A WORD PUZZLE, Macmillan, 1879, first complete edition and first hardcover edition, some light soil but a solid vg copy. Quite uncommon.
Seller: THE FINE BOOKS COMPANY / A.B.A.A / 1979, ROCHESTER, MI, U.S.A.
Carroll, Lewis. Doublets. A Word-Puzzle. Macmillan & Co, London, 1879.
Price: US$753.15 + shipping
Description: 210mm x 170mm (8" x 7"). 39pp. G : in good condition. Cover rubbed. Title page darkened
Seller: Barter Books Ltd, Alnwick, NORTH, United Kingdom
Lewis Carroll. Doublets a Word Puzzle. Macmillan and Co, London, 1879.
Price: US$1537.04 + shipping
Description: A scarce, very smart, first edition copy of this word-puzzle guide by Lewis Carroll. Carroll is often cited as the inventor, or at least the popularizer of these 'doublets' or 'word ladders' This book is 'a new puzzle' that was first introduced in Vanity Fair in 1879 by Carroll. This work forms a guide to the game, explaining the rules and method of scoring. In the publisher's original red cloth binding. Following this there are examples of Doublets already set in Vanity Fair with the solutions to page 38. Carroll has also included an extensive glossary of many well-known English words of 3, 4, 5 or 6 letters that can be used as links in the game. Carroll adopted the name 'doublets' for this puzzle from a passage in Shakespeare's Macbeth. A better known name for this type of puzzle is 'Word Ladder' or 'Laddergrams'. Carroll invented this game on Christmas day 1877 for Julia and Ethel Arnold who 'found nothing to do'. He first called it 'Word-Links' before changing the name for their publication in 'Vanity Fair'. A noted feature of Carroll's 'Doublets' compared to later inceptions of the game is that the progressions are humorous such as 'Pig' to 'Sty', 'Poor' into 'Rich', 'Ape' to 'Man' and 'Flour to 'Bread'. Prior owner's bookplate to the front pastedown, 'Edward Gaspar Box', once a commoner of Winchester College. A very bright copy of this important work, by the noted mathematician, inventor and author. Carroll devised a number of games, including an early prototype of what is now known as Scrabble. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, very smart. A light tidemark to the front board. A few light marks to the rear board. Bookplate to the front pastedown, 'Edward Gaspar Box'. Internally, firmly bound. Minor off-setting to the title page. Pages are otherwise bright. Just the odd spot. Very Good Indeed
Seller: Rooke Books PBFA, Bath, United Kingdom
Price: US$6500.00 + shipping
Description: Original red publisher's cloth paneled in blind, gilt title on upper cover, slight soiling. An excellent presentation copy inscribed in purple ink, "Mrs. Neate from the Author." Preserved in a modern burgundy cloth box with red morocco sides, gilt lettered.
Seller: B & L Rootenberg Rare Books, ABAA, Sherman Oaks, CA, U.S.A.