Alice in Wonderland / Looking-Glass (Bloomsbury, 2001) | Mervyn Peake

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass

by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Mervyn Peake
Bloomsbury, 2001

These classics of chldren’s literature have had many editions published and many illustrators bringing their own interpretation. The Mervyn Peake illustrated editions were originally published in 1946 by Zephyr Books in softcover, and in 1954 by Allan Wingate as hardbacks. These new editions with introductions by Will Self and Zadie Smith were first published by Bloomsbury in 2001.

Hardback. Publisher’s white cloth-effect papered boards with gilt title to spine; colour endpapers; sewn-in ribbon page marker. In dustwrappers which complement the endpapers colour. Presented in a slipcase with illustrations to front and rear panels plus spine. pp [i]-xvi, [xvii-xx], [1]-168, [169-172]; [i]-xvi, [xvii-xviii], [1]-200, [201-204], [2] blank; including b/w illustrations. Size: 7.5 x 5.25 inches approx. (130mm x 193mm).

Slipcase a little bumped to extremities; age-toning and dustiness; a little tight fitting for the books. Dustwrappers slightly sunned to spines but otherwise clean. Looking-Glass bumped to head of spine which corresponds to bump at upper corner of slipcase opening. Some pages show the creasing impression of the ribbon marker but otherwise pages are clean throughout.

Overall, showing shelf wear but otherwise nice, clean copies in a slipcase – appear unread.