Two volumes, both first published editions. Author's presentation copies inscribed to Margaret Evelyn Hardy on the half-titles of both volumes, "Margaret Evelyn Hardy from the Author" in Alice and "Margaret Evelyn Hardy from the Author. Christmas 1871" in Through the Looking-Glass. Recently bound by the Chelsea Bindery in full red morocco, spines lettered and with motifs in gilt, raised bands, covers with pictorial roundels replicating the original binding design and single rule in gilt, elaborate turn-ins in gilt, gilt edges. Housed in a morocco entry slipcase. Frontispiece, with tissue guard to each volume and illustrations to the text throughout, all by John Tenniel. Very good copies indeed with occasional finger-soiling and foxing to the page edges.

An exceptional presentation set of Alice first editions, both inscribed to the same recipient. Margaret Evelyn Hardy was the daughter of Gathorne Gathorne-Hardy, 1st Earl of Cranbrook, (1814-1906) who became known to Carroll's Oxford circle in 1865 when he was nominated to stand in the Oxford University constituency.
The election prompted Carroll to write on of his 'Oxford Squibs', Dynamics of a Particle (1865), a satirical pamphlet masquerading as a mathematical treatise in which chapter two refers to the contest between Gathorne-Hardy and Gladstone.
In June 1867, Carroll invited him to Christ Church to have his photograph taken, noted in his diary, "He had not long to spare, but I succeeded in taking two pictures of him, neither of them, I fear, particularly successful". Later that month Hardy wrote to Carroll stating "my little girl's names are Margaret Evelyn, and I am sure she would dearly treasure Alice in English and French, but has no right to tax you for both". A correspondence between the two men commenced and Carroll continued to send copies of his books to Margaret: she is recorded in Carroll's listing of recipients of presentation copies of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and we know she also received the 1869 German and French translations of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, her inscribed copy of Through the Looking-Glass and a copy of The Hunting of the Snark with an inscription dated 24 April 1876. The present set is unrecorded by Carlson and Eger.
Carroll's diary entry for 12 September 1877 records a visit by the author to the Hardy family to "meet Evelyn again (she is now 'Miss Evelyn')" when he "walked on the Parade with Mrs. Hardy and Misses K. and E."
Presentation copies of the 1866 of Alice appear very seldom in commerce. The last 50 years has seen just three copies sold at auction. Rarer still is to find first editions of both volumes inscribed to the same recipient.

PROVENANCE: Margaret Evelyn Hardy (presentation inscriptions from the author); by family descent.

Stock ID: 43007