Lewis Carroll, inscribed

DODGSON, Charles Lutwidge ("Lewis Carroll," 1832-1898) and Arthur B. FROST (1851-1928). Rhyme? And Reason? London: Macmillan and Co., 1883.

First edition, a presentation copy. Inscribed on half title: "Mona Kidston from the author with affte regards. Dec 7/83." Mona Margaret Kidston (née Noel-Paton) was the daughter of Edinburgh painter Joseph Noel Paton, who had been a contender to illustrate Carroll's Alice books before John Tenniel was chosen. In 1871 Carroll visited the Paton family on Scotland's west coast and met Mona, with whom he developed a longstanding acquaintance. She would go on to become an author, publishing her retellings of "Beauty and the Beast" and "Jack the Giantkiller" in Two Old Tales Retold (Edinburgh: Banks & Co., 1889).

Octavo. Half title, frontispiece. Olive green cloth stamped in gilt (spine a touch darkened, some minor soiling and rippling to cloth, hinges cracked with a couple gatherings slightly sprung). Custom chemise and slipcase. Provenance: Mona Kidston (1860-1928; authorial inscription) – Sotheby's 25 May 1964, lot 198.