Dodgson’s Objections against proposed alterations in the Great Quadrangle of Christ Church, Oxford 1873

Dated 16 May 1873, Dodgson had copies of this pamphlet privately printed, his protest at the changes proposed to the narrowing and lowering of the terrace and the substitution of a grass slope for the existing stone wall. He had also objected to the new double entrance to the cathedral and to the new belfry in other now famous pamphlets. His protest against a grass slope may have helped as the low wall in the quadrangle is still there today.

The piece is large, printed over 4 pages, pgs 2-3 numbered, and described in WMGC 95. It came to me via a bookseller in Berkeley, California who had a number of rare Dodgson pamphlets for sale and he in turn had bought them from a New York collector of all sorts of books.

This pamphlet is ultra-rare because of the low original print number and the ephemeral nature .A few private collectors have a copy, as do some public collections. 

Bumblebee Bogo’s Budget Presentation Copy from Lewis Carroll

In 1886 Dodgson helped a friend, William Webb Follett Synge in publishing a volume of children’s verse illustrated by another recent acquaintance, the artists Alice Havers. 500 copies of the first edition, in red cloth with a bees and bramble decorative gilt cover design, were published in 1887. Follett Synge ordered 25 to be gilt edged, 20 for his use and 5 for Dodgson’s use for presentation.

In November 2006 I was informed by Ebay that a book entitled “ Bumblebee Bogo’s Budget” was newly listed in an auction. I had several titles on my wants list for notification in this way. The listing described an attractive illustrated book of verse obviously written for children, with gilt edges and a very neat presentation inscription on the half title. No further details of this inscription were given or illustrated. I added it to my watch list and refreshed my knowledge of the book. The red cloth with gilt edges and presentation inscription meant the book was either presented by Follett Synge, or ( I could barely contain myself)  Dodgson. Five days  later I was  ready to put in my last minute bid and was successful – at a hammer price of £4.99. The book duly came on a Saturday morning and I gave it to my son and said, “Open this, it may be signed by Lewis Carroll!” I had a 1 in 5 chance. He opened it and started to say the words “Dorothy Furnifs…” and I jabbered “What colour is the ink? “ and he said “ Purple”. And it was – a wonderful white stone moment for a Lewis Carroll collector.

Presentation Copy of Doublets

Lewis Carroll presented a copy of Doublets inscribed to his child-friend Edith Miller. This book, a third edition, I bought at the Nicholas Falletta Sale at Christie’s in 2005 ( lot 78). I don’t have many inscribed presentation copies in the collection although many appear for sale ; again I suppose this is my predilection for the rare and unusual over the abundant. In terms of Dodgson’s handwriting I have preferred to have a few autograph letters and books from his library. This example of a presentation copy I chose for the lovely flowing inscription and flourish in purple ink. There is an ink stain on the front cover -  it was obviously used as a book of puzzles would be.