Alice in Wonderland by Carroll, Lewis; Laurencin, Marie (Illustrations) - 1930

Paris: The Black Sun Press, 1930. Limited Edition. Wraps. Near fine. Laurencin, Marie. One of 790 copies, oblong quarto, 123 pp. This publication of "Alice" by The Black Sun Press; formed by Harry and Caresse Crosby (1898-1929, 1891-1970, respectively) the Press continued under the operation of Caresse Crosby after Harry's death. "Harry and Caresse Crosby were a glamorous, wealthy and well-connected couple enmeshed in the fabric of Paris's avant-garde explosion; yet they are all but forgotten today. What emerges from the literature of those who knew them is that the flamboyant Crosbys were trailblazers, who had an enormous impact on both friends and strangers....They published some of the greatest literary giants of 1920s Paris, held riotous parties, smoked opium and flouted just about every convention of society during the eight years of their open marriage. They travelled to North Africa and Egypt on holiday before it was fashionable and were obsessed with ancient rites and rituals" (n.b., quotes from the web site of France Today).

Wonderfully illustrated by Marie Laurencin (1883-1956), a French painter and an important figure in the Parisian avant-garde. She was a member of the circle which included Pablo Picasso and other cubists, and is known as one of the few female Cubist painters (n.b., above info from Wiki). The lithographs in this volume are more traditional, being lovely portraits of Alice and some of the people, or situations, in which she finds herself.

___DESCRIPTION: Bound in the French style in paper wraps over cardboard, lettering on the front wrap in red and black, imprint of the press on the back also in red and black, title page in red and black, the six full-colour lithographs by Laurencin bound in throughout (five still with tissue guards); oblong quarto size (11 1/2" wide by 9 5/8" tall), pagination: [i-vi] 1-114 [2, blank] [1, colophon], limited edition of 790 copies total, this no. 162 of the "European Edition". With the original publisher's chemise covered in pink paper, housed in a new slipcase covered in tan cloth.

___CONDITION: Volume near fine, the wraps mostly clean with a few very light, stray spots and a few spots of foxing on the back, straight corners without rubbing, a strong, square text block with solid hinges (we had a professional re-sew the binding, name available upon request), the interior is clean and bright, and entirely free of prior owner markings; some overall very light wear to the wraps, the aforementioned light foxing on the back wrap, with two of the five tissue guards creased. The chemise good only; it has been professionally repaired and is now complete and sturdy, but has overall soil and old dampstains. Note that the original slipcase is lacking, we had a new case made to protect the work.

___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details.

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