Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Twelfth Thousand, 1869) – Early Macmillan Edition

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Twelfth Thousand, 1869) – Early Macmillan Edition with Gilt Decorations

Author: Lewis Carroll
Illustrator: John Tenniel
Publisher: Macmillan and Co., London
Edition: Twelfth Thousand
Year: 1869
Binding: Original cloth boards (spine missing)
Condition: Fair – see detailed notes below
Provenance: Bound by Burn & Co., Kirkby Street (label on rear pastedown)
Inscription: Inside front board bears pencil annotation: "To Kate Heys from her Aunt Betsy"

📖 Description

A rare and early UK edition of Lewis Carroll’s beloved classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, printed in 1869 as the "Twelfth Thousand" by Macmillan and Co. This edition features the iconic illustrations by John Tenniel that defined generations of the Alice universe.

This copy retains its original decorative boards and includes gilt-edged pages, a gold-stamped illustration of Alice holding a pig on the front cover, and a Cheshire Cat face in gilt on the back — distinctive elements of Macmillan's early bindings. These ornate Victorian details significantly enhance the book’s visual charm and collectible appeal.

A charming pencil  inscription inside the front board reads: "To Kate Heys from her Aunt Betsy", adding a touch of personal history.

The rear pastedown includes the original Burn & Co., Kirkby Street bindery label — authenticating it as a period-bound Macmillan production.

⚠️ Condition Notes

• Spine missing; text block detached from covers

• Several gatherings/pages loose but present

• Binding is fragile and requires restoration or careful handling

• All pages appear present, including Tenniel illustrations

• Back board intact with original bindery label

This copy is being sold as-is, ideal for collectors, bibliophiles, or restoration enthusiasts seeking an early example of this literary treasure.

📚 Collectibility

• Early printings of Alice from the 1860s are increasingly scarce

• A highly desirable edition for collectors of Lewis Carroll or 19th-century illustrated children’s books

• A fantastic candidate for sympathetic rebinding or display — especially with original gilt decorations preserved

💌 Shipping: Carefully packaged with full insurance and tracking
📦 Ships from: [United Kingdom]