“ALICE” VALUABLE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 156, 15 April 1936, Page 8

“ALICE” VALUABLE.

BIG PRICE IN LONDON. After an opening bid of 100 guineas, a copy of the suppressed first issue of the first edition of Lewis Carroll s “Alice in Wonderland” fetched 900 guineas at an auction at Knight, Frank and Rutley’s rooms, says the “Daily Telegraph.” This price was given by Mr Lent, of Maggs Brothers. This copy, which had several defects, belonged to an unambitious owner who had been quite unaware of its value. The price obtained does not approach the heroic bid of £SOOO which Dr. Rosenbach made in 1928 for the 1865 issue, in perfect condition, which the author inscribed and presented to Mrs Craik, editor of “John Halifax, Gentleman.” Nor was it so good as the £1250 paid in- 1927 for the copy presented to Miss llhoda Kitchen.. There was a minor surprise at Christie’s. A little portrait of a pretty lady in white silk dress, with white gauze scarf and roses in her hair challenged the quidnuncs, who agreed that it was by the gifted 19th-century Frenchwoman Vigee le'Brun, It vent to 325 guineas, and some present recalled the Sydney sale ill 1915 when the artist’s self-portrait realised IwJU guineas. ' . , On the previous day an ivory and silver group of Leda and the owan, by the 19th-century Frenchman, James Pradier, brought 370 guineas. Tins was a good advance rfom 300 guineas paid in the Breitmann sale some years ago.