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.