Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (P. R. Gawthorn, [1943]) | Rene Cloke

Alice in Wonderland

by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Rene Cloke
London: P. R. Gawthorn Ltd (55 Russell Square WC1), 1st edition [1943]

Charmingly illustrated throughout by Rene Cloke [Irene Mabel Neighbour Cloke (1904-95)] with numerous two-tone illustrations in the text, plus eight colour plates.

Note: No published date is stated though the British Library dates the book as 1944. However, the 1948 reprint of this title shows 1943 as the first printing with subsequent reprints in 1944, 1945, and 1948 (appended to printer details at foot of title page verso). This title also seen in blue boards from London publishers The Waverley Book Company (96-97 Farringdon Street EC4) with an identical dustwrapper save for their imprint. Barring imprints and binding the books are seemingly identical; I am unsure of the connection between the publishers or the publication order.

For reference: Printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay and Company Ltd., | Bungay, Suffolk to foot of title page verso.

Hardback. Publisher’s orange-red cloth with title in black to upper board. In a colour printed dustwrapper with title and illustration to front panel, title to rear panel. 104pp including two-tone illustrations plus colour plates. Size: 10.25 x 7.75 inches approx. (260mm x 195mm).

Dustwrapper rubbed and worn with short edge tears and small loss, especially to top edge which protudes above the height of the boards; somewhat dusty/grubby in places; a little cockled and stained – really only evident to verso. Cloth with light shelf wear and dustiness to extremities but generally very clean. Age-toning, light foxing and some dustiness however pages are generally clean throughout.

Overall, showing wear commensurate with age and storage but otherwise a particularly well preserved copy – quite lovely.

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References

Jisc Library Discover Hub | British Library
Alan Horne , The Dictionary of 20th Century British Book Illustrators (Antique Collectors’ Club, 1994)

Rene Cloke | Kids Book Explorer