Autograph Letter Signed by Carroll, Lewis - 1879

("C.L. Dodgson"), in black ink on blue one penny letter card, Christ Church, Oxford, June 3, 1892, with 13 Canterbury Road (in Carroll's hand on the verso). 6 1/4" x 5". 1 page. Fine fresh example. To Winifred Stevens: "My dear Winnie: Have you ever seen the Vernon Gallery, & the rest of the South Kensington Museum? If not, it will fit in with our plans on Wed. very nicely. Please let me know, that I may arrange with my cousin where to meet. Please bring some of your music to Guildford - and songs too, if you sing. . . The Key of the portmanteau is in that inner pocket." Winifred Stevens [later Lady Hawke] (1872-1958), had a friendship with Carroll that lasted over ten years. See Cohen, Letters, p. 679. This letter is not published there; but see the subsequent letter of June 4, 1892 to Winnie's mother, Mrs. H.N. Stevens, Cohen, pp. 906-07. On Wednesday June 8, Dodgson and Winifred went up to London, visited the So. Kensington Museum, saw Henry Irving and Ellen Terry in Lord Lyttons "Richelieu," and… Read More

("C.L. Dodgson"), in purple ink on bifold leaf, 4 pages, 3 1/2" x 5 1/2", Christ Church, Oxford, November 2, 1890. Fine fresh example. To Elizabeth Wordsworth**: Carroll apologizes for having caused her to explain in some detail "Your Rules". He then goes on at great length to try and arrange for his nice Edith Alice Dodgson to attend a concert of The Oxford Musical Union on November 11th*. *Dodgson was not feeling well, suffering from "ague, cystitis and lumbago (back pain). See "Diaries" entries for October 31 & December 6, 1890. **Dame Elizabeth Wordsworth (1840-1932), was the great-niece of the poet William Wordsworth. Founder in 1878 of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford as a college for female undergraduates. In 1886 she also founded St. Hugh's College as a college for poor female undergraduates. She was a prolific author, writing poetry, plays, biographies and religious articles. She was the most important leader of women's education in the nineteenth century and a legend in her own time. Not in Cohen:… Read More

("Charles L. Dodgson") in black fountain pen ink on plain letter paper, Christ Church, Oxford, December 5, 1895. 7 1/8" x 4 1/4"; 2 pages (1 sheet recto and verso). Together with the original holograph mailing envelope, in Dodgson's hand, stamped and postmarked Oxford, December 5, 1895. To a child-friend, Gladys Baly: Interesting letter beginning with a rhyme, 'In one way I'm like the Old Woman that lived in a shoe - that is, I've got so many picture-books, I don't know what to do!' Dodgson asks whether Gladys already possess The Story of the Mermaiden illustrated by Laura Trobridge: if not, he will send it to her as a Christmas present - 'The pictures are by the same artist who illustrated Little Thumb, & I think you will find many pretty figures among them, some of which perhaps you may like to copy'. Dodgson had befriended Gladys Baly when staying at Eastborune in October 1891. She was then six years old, & had a talent for drawing. Dodgson predicted that she would become a first-rate artist. Not… Read More

("C.L. Dodgson"), in black ink on bifold leaf, 3 1/2 pages, 3 1/2" x 5 1/2", Christ Church, Oxford, July 16, 1891. Fine fresh example. To Sir Robert H. Collins: A good letter to an aid to Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Albany with reference to Maggie Bowman, her sibling and a stage performance of "Alice in Wonderland". Carroll seeks to have the Duchess meet Maggie and her two sisters (Nellie and Empsie) hoping to get her a royal audience and approval. Dodgson had a good deal to do with putting the Bowman sisters and brother on the stage and with their great success. He first encountered Isa, who had a small part in the original stage production of Alice, at a rehearsal, and before long was taking her on day outings and on visits to Eastbourne. In the course of their friendship he naturally met the other Bowman children, three younger sisters and a brother. With Dodgson's help all went on to act professionally - the girls to full-time stage careers. See page 710 in Cohen: "The Letters," for much… Read More