The Hunting of the Snark – Lewis Carroll – 1876 | First Edition, Holiday Illustrations, Nonsense Poetry

This example of Lewis Carroll’s The Hunting of the Snark is the 1876 true first edition of Carroll’s celebrated nonsense poem, illustrated by Henry Holiday and published in London by Macmillan. Lewis Carroll was the author of numerous children’s and fantasy stories in the 19^th century, and none were more famous or popular than Alice in Wonderland. However, Carroll published other fantastical works, including The Hunting of the Snark, a nonsense poem showcasing Carroll’s fondness for wordplay and whimsy, using words such as Jabberwocky, jubjub, and Bandersnatch! This rare edition includes the ten illustrations by Henry Holiday.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Hunting of the Snark: An Agony in Eight Fits
• Author: Lewis Carroll
• Illustrator: Henry Holiday
• Publisher: London, Macmillan and Co.
• Edition: First Edition, 1876
• Binding: Original publisher’s pictorial tan cloth with black-stamped illustrations on boards and spine
• Format: Duodecimo (12mo), single volume
• Size: ~ 7.5 in × 5.25 in (19 cm × 13 cm)
• Collation: xi, [3], 83, [3]
• Illustrations: 10 full-page illustrations by Henry Holiday, including frontispiece
• Contents Include:
  • Prefatory poem “Inscribed to a dear Child”
  • Eight narrative Fits comprising Carroll’s nonsense epic
  • Holiday’s nine full-page illustrations
• Provenance: Handwritten inscription “To Hedley Smith with the hope of the [clown] that he may find the ‘Snark.’ Edinburgh, 1 Nov. 1887;” and May H. Rae, 5 Weston Terrace.

Condition:

Very Good condition overall. Original pictorial cloth binding remains secure with some bumping to the corners. Spine shows light wear and soiling consistent with age but retains clear black-stamped design. Text block is sound with mild toning throughout, some foxing confined to the title page. All ten Holiday plates are present and well-preserved.

Why Collect This?

• First edition of one of Lewis Carroll’s major nonsense works
• Original 1876 Macmillan first edition with Holiday’s iconic artwork
• Increasingly difficult to find in tight, unrestored condition
• Essential volume for comprehensive Carroll collections

Item Number: # 31213