[CARROLL, Lewis (pseud. DODGSON, Charles Lutwidge)]. Sylvie and Bruno. London: Macmillan and Co., 1889.
[Sold together with]:
[CARROLL, Lewis (pseud. DODGSON, Charles Lutwidge)]. Sylvie and Bruno Concluded. London: Macmillan and Co., 1893.
FIRST EDITIONS. Two volumes; leather-bound; hardcovers; octavos (18.5 x 12 cm); pp. xxiii, [1, blank], 400, [3, publisher's ads]; xxxi, [1, blank], 423, [1, blank], [6, publisher's ads]. English text, with forty-six illustrations by Harry Furniss in each volume. Beautifully bound in full crimson morocco gilt by Bayntun-Riviere; all page edge gilt; marbled endpapers; half-titles. Printed in Great Britain by Richard Clay. Condition: FINE. An immaculate set.
Notes: An excellent first edition set, lovingly rebound by Bayntun-Riviere. Sylvie and Bruno along with Sylvie and Bruno Concluded are the final novels published in Lewis Carroll's lifetime. "It is essentially a philosophical tract on morality, politics, and religion. Packed with puns, paradoxes, puzzles, poetry, and Carroll's patented brand of inspired nonsense. Carroll entwines two plots, set in two alternate worlds, one the fairy kingdom of Elfland and the other a realm called Outland which mirrors and satirizes English society. In the former, Bruno and Sylvie endure adventures typical of classic fairy tales; in the latter, the two men vie for the love of a beautiful woman" (Publisher's Weekly). A departure from the Alice books, Carroll tackles a number of adult themes and plots.
