Available Copies from Independent Booksellers
Price: US$2250.00 + shipping
Description: [inscribed by Lewis Carroll] With Forty-six Illustrations [each] by Harry Furniss. [Together, two volumes.] London: Macmillan and Co., 1889/1893. 3 pp / 5 pp undated ads. Original red cloth pictorially decorated in gilt, all page edges gilt. First Editions of Carroll's rather serious fairy tales. SYLVIE AND BRUNO, with its conclusion in 1893, was the last considerable work by Dodgson. Though he fully explains in the Preface. the principles on which he introduces many solemn pages into his fairy tale, the serious subjects of life and science cannot be thus inserted without marring the effect of the whole. Somehow the light and airy touch of ALICE is wanting, but there is plenty of amusing incident and entertaining verse. There is hardly any plot: Sylvie and Bruno, after living with a Warden, Sub-Warden, Professor, Beggar, Gardener, Uggug (the young artist) and others, are conducted by the Gardener into Elfland, ride on a lion, visit Dogland, and so on. [The illustrations] are rightly described by Dodgson (Preface, p. ix) as wonderful. [WM&G] The books were not a success; in fact new copies of the second volume were still being sold as late as 1939. The dedicatory verses hide the names of the dedicatee (Isa Bowman and Enid Stevens respectively), the former one doubly. This SYLVIE AND BRUNO is a presentation copy inscribed in violet ink by Carroll, "Mrs Jackson | from the Author | [flourish] Dec. 12, 1889". (The precise date of publication of this edition is unrecorded, but the earliest presentation copy cited by WM&G is the same date as this copy's, as was another inscribed copy we have sold.) Most of Carroll's inscriptions were accomplished with this violet ink; "from the Author" was his standard, modest signature. These volumes are in very good-plus condition. SYLVIE AND BRUNO has some general mottling of the red cloth, quite minor wear at the spine ends, and some small marks on the rear cover; the rear endpaper is cracked. CONCLUDED has some minor discoloration on the spine but is otherwise near-fine externally; its endpapers too show some cracking. Loosely inserted in the latter volume is Carroll's Christmas 1893 "Advertisement" requesting buyers of the latest edition of THROUGH THE LOOKING-GLASS to return their copies due to defective illustrations; this ad leaf has a damp-mark on a lower corner. Williams Madan & Green 217 & 250. In an open-back slipcase.
Seller: Sumner & Stillman [ABAA], Yarmouth, ME, U.S.A.
Lewis Carroll. Sylvie and Bruno (inscribed by Lewis Carroll). macmillan, 1889.
Price: US$3000.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: "Sylvie and Bruno" by Lewis Carroll. London: Macmillan and Co., 1889 first UK edition. illustrations by Harry Furniss, 4 pp. advertisements at end, occasional light spotting, all edges gilt, original red cloth gilt, spine a little faded, one or two small light stains, 8vo, presentation copy, inscribed to half title in purple ink: "Mrs Falle, with kindest regards from the Author, Dec. 12, 1889". Inscribed first editions by Lewis Carroll are rare and desirable by collectors.
Seller: Neverland Books, waalre, Netherlands
Carroll, Lewis. SYLVIE AND BRUNO. Macmillan, London, 1889.
Price: US$3250.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Inscribed first edition, with a purple-ink inscription by Carroll in the year of publication to the wife of the playwright who tried to take ALICE to the theater. This copy is inscribed to "Mrs. Dubourg": the Dubourgs appear a number of times in the journals and letters of Lewis Carroll. Augustus William Dubourg was an author and playwright who attempted to get ALICE produced on the stage. Carroll also formed a friendship with their daughter Evelyn, who was either 10 or 12 when they first met. He frequently met with the family when in town, and continued to make special visits with them over the course of many years. SYLVIE AND BRUNO is a tale of Fairyland, which grew from the episodic stories of two characters that Carroll would often tell to children. In it Carroll sought to create an entirely original approach to the fairy story - just as he had with ALICE, which now had so many imitations that Carroll hoped once more to prove his ingenuity; a few of the scenes were apparently inspired by dreams. A nice copy with an interesting association. Octavo. 7.5'' x 5.25''. Original full gilt-stamped red cloth. All edges gilt. Illustrated by Harry Furniss. Publisher's ads at rear. xiv, 400, [4] pages. Inscribed by Carroll in purple ink on half title: "Mrs. Dubourg, / With sincere regards / from the Author [flourish] / Dec. 12, 1889." Hinges repaired, some small holes to cloth at front joint, fore-edge, and rear top corner, a few patches of foxing to text. Red cloth bright, gilt strong.
Seller: Type Punch Matrix, Silver Spring, MD, U.S.A.
CARROLL Lewis FURNISS Harry. Sylvie and Bruno. Macmillan and co, 1889.
Price: US$5068.72 + shipping
Description: - Macmillan and co, Londres 1889, 12,5x19cm, reliure de l'éditeur. - Edition originale ornée de 46 illustrations d'Harry Furniss. Reliure de l'éditeur en plein cartonnage rouge, dos lisse, discrètes et légères restaurations sur les mors, médaillons dorés sur les plats, gardes et contreplats de papier noir, tranches dorées. Envoi autographe daté et signé de Lewis Carroll à Mrs Cole. [ENGLISH TRANSLATION FOLLOWS] Sylvie and Bruno Macmillan and Co | Londres 1889 | 12.5 x 19 cm | publisher's binding First edition with 46 illustrations by Harry Furniss. Publisher's binding over flexible paper boards, discreet and light repairs on the joints, all edges gilt. Autograph inscription dated and signed by Lewis Carroll to Mrs Cole.
Seller: Librairie Le Feu Follet, Paris, France
Lewis Carroll. Sylvie and Bruno, Sylvie and Bruno Concluded. Macmillan & Co, London, 1889.
Price: US$6497.57 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Both presentation copies are inscribed by the author for Miss Bishop on both half titles. The first inscription is in purple ink and dated 12 December 1889, "With sincere regards from the author". The second volume is inscribed in dark blue ink and dated 28 December 1893, "With the author's sincere regards". Matilda Ellen Bishop (1844 - 1913) was as assistant mistress at the Oxford High School when it opened in 1875 and became the headmistress from 1879 to 1887. She became the Principle of Royal Holloway College. In Miss Bishop's last year at Oxford Dodgson gave a lecture on his book, The Game of Logic, to classes of twenty Oxford students. The lucky students received presentation copies of the books of which one was Miss Bishop. Both volumes are with original cloth boards with gilt lettering, borders and vignettes on the covers. Spine darkened and a little rubbed. Edges of the spines are lightly frayed. All edges are bright gilt. Hinges slightly cracked in the first volume. Contents are very good in both volumes. Both books have a tissue guarded, wood engraved frontpiece with forty six text illustrations by Harry Furniss. Both are 8vo.
Seller: Rare And Antique Books PBFA, Exeter, DEVON, United Kingdom