Beloved British author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, better known by his pen name, Lewis Carroll (1832-1898). ALS signed “C. L. Dodgson,” one page, 7.5 x 4.25, October 26, 1886. Dodgson writes to “Dear Steward” (Arthur Acland). In full: “I had quite forgotten I should be charged for the Hall dinner as well = so it’s all right, except the ‘9d’ for ‘tart & sugar,’ which I didn’t receive, & so demur to being charged for.” Matted and framed with a portrait to an overall size of 18.75 x 11.5; the frame back bears the printed label and red wax seal of noted dealer Charles Hamilton. Intersecting folds and light toning, otherwise fine condition.
Arthur Acland (1847–1926), later Sir Arthur Herbert Dyke Acland, 13th Baronet, served as the Steward (bursar) at Christ Church, Oxford from 1879 to 1886. He served in Parliament from 1885 to 1898 and was appointed by Prime Minister William Gladstone to his cabinet as Vice President of the Council of Education. The note recalls the famous rhyme from Chapter 11 of Alice in Wonderland: ‘The Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts, All on a summer day: The Knave of Hearts, he stole those tarts And took them quite away!’ The note, however, was in regard to a dessert Dodgson missed some 20 years after he wrote his beloved classic. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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