Ever since Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland debuted in 1865, with John Tenniel’s famous illustrations of its title character as a pinafore-wearing, Victorian tween, both the story and the images that accompanied it have become iconic. Although Alice is commonly considered children’s literature, it bears re-reading at any age.
So, to celebrate the 178th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s birth, we’re taking a look back at over 100 years of Alice in Wonderland covers. (And believe us, there were a lot to choose from.) Fall down the rabbit hole of history after the jump.
1898
The typography on this turn-of-the-century edition, which features one of John Tenniel’s original illustrations, is to die for. Someone, please make this a font.
1910
This apple-cheeked Alice, in her pretty, drop-waist skirt, is one of our favorites.
1916
This Alice almost looks she could be asleep and dreaming, in a nightgown.
[Image via]
1930s
This Alice reminds us a bit of Nancy Drew. And another great typeface!
[Image via]
1951
Can’t you just see a ’50s schoolchild carrying this one?
1968
Ah, the ’60s. Yes, burnouts — this is Ralph Steadman, the guy who illustrated Hunter S. Thompson’s books.
1974
A surreal take on Alice, en français, by Nicole Claveloux.
1986
Considering it was the mid-’80s, it’s not particularly surprising to see this brightly colored, practically New Wave take on John Tenniel’s original illustrations.
2009
Even if there weren’t any text on the cover, it would be pretty clear that this was the Japanese version, right?
2010
Hugh D’Andrade’s pink, leather-bound Alice is a little bit Victoriana, a little bit rock ‘n roll.
Comments (24)
The French one is my fave, followed by the pink leather.
I’m surprised Camille Rose Garcia’s version wasn’t on here…
[...] honor of this, the 178th anniverary of the birth of Lewis Carroll (nee Charles Lutwidge Dodgson), Flavorpill gives us a survey of “The Evolution of Alice in Wonderland: A Book Cover Odyssey.&#… spread the [...]
pink leather! yes!
Find a few more here: http://aliceintheinternet.wordpress.com/tag/alices-adventures-in-wonderland/
:)
…the 2nd edition illustrated by Arthur Rackham is missing!
I have a lovely one too!http://tinyurl.com/45gmy6q
George W. Jacobs & Co.,circa 1927 – no date stated. Part of the Franklin Classic Series.
My personal favorite copy of the text comes from Grosset & Dunlap. All of their “Illustrated Junior Library” classics are quality hardbound books with generous margins and a larger-sized font (than typical).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/product-gallery/0448060043/ref=cm_ciu_pdp_images_all
A real evolution should include Carroll’s original presentation copy to Alice herself: http://the-office.com/bedtime-story/aliceunderground.htm with his own illustrations.
[...] Read the whole story: flavorwire.com [...]
And where do we find the Hugh D’Andrade’s pink, leather-bound Alice? I can’t find it for sale anywhere. Could you please post a link or the ISBN?
Thanks!
The largest Alice in Wonderland collection in the world is believed to have been owned by Alice Pleasance Liddell (my relative). My book The Real Alice In Wonderland contains photographs of this vast collection including some of the 370 editions of the book she owned (the majority of which were given to Alice by Lewis Carroll). If you are a true Alice In Wonderland fan it is worth taking a look at this awesome collection of artifacts which today is scattered in museums and libraries all over the world. cm rubin http://www.cmrubinworld.tumblr.com
[...] Flavorwire, 100 years of Alice in Wonderland covers. Here’s a few [...]
You fail with the 1968 edition. That is not ralph steadman. It’s not even close to what his stuff looks like.
http://www.amazon.com/Alice-Wonderland-Lewis-Carroll/dp/1554072034
That is the Ralph Steadman edition.
oops my bad mixed up which caption went with which book
[...] beautiful collection of Alice in Wonderland covers, from 1898 to present all capture a different mood of Alice, including this [...]
Having recently given a lecture on the illustrations of Alice in Wonderland, with particular emphasis on those of Tenniel, I was delighted to find Berman’s celebration of a few of the vast variety of bookcovers of this Iconic work. I think the original cover of 1865 should have been included, which is very simple; red cloth jacket with gilt vignette of Alice with the pig. There are so many more that need to be mentioned. Berman is not correct about the Ralph Steadman cover, his was of the Mad Hatter set atop a rather Art Nouveau design. It is also interesting to go into the illustrations inside those bookcovers, which are a wonderful historical record of the changes in style and interpretation. For a new look, check out Oleg Lipchenko’s cover from 2009.
I actually have a copy that doesn’t look like any of these. It’s only got a copyright of the late 1800′s as well. My copy is similar to the 1898 version only without the red.
[...] The Evolution of Alice in Wonderland: A Book Cover Odyssey: A fascinating trip through a timeline of various Alice in Wonderland [...]
[...] The Evolution of Alice in Wonderland: A Book Cover Odyssey: A fascinating trip through a timeline of various Alice in Wonderland [...]
Of those shown I prefer John Tenniel’s version but Arthur Rackham, which is not pictured, was possibly the best.
There is a 1945 Rado illustrated cover that is very colorful! http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/product-gallery/B003JO7I6I/ref=cm_ciu_pdp_images_0?ie=UTF8&index=0
I have a copy of Alice’s Adventures Underground. Is this the original title?
I have a book (inscribed “to sister 1901″) with none of these covers – it’s brown with 2 pictures -1 is of the king and queen sitting in their throne with a picture below of 3 in bird makss sitting at a table with a knight standing. Anybody know how old this might be — and/or value? Thanks
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