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I specialize in buying and selling only the finest copies of the finest rare books in the world.
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Alice's Adventures in Wonderland [bound together with] Through the Looking Glass
A Charming, Finely Wrought Pictorial Binding
By the Great Riviere & Son
[RIVIERE & SON, binders]. CARROLL, Lewis. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland [bound together with] Through the Looking Glass. With Illustrations by John Tenniel. London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd, 1932-33.
Later editions. Two tomes in one octavo volume (7 1/16 x 4 5/8 in; 180 x 117 mm). [12], 179, [7]; [12], 208, [4] pp.
Bound c. 1932 by Riviere & Son (stamp-signed to front turn-in) in full navy blue crushed morocco with multi-colored pictorial onlay of Alice with the Dodo bird, the vignette framed by a gilt strapwork border with gilt garlands; multi-colored onlaid vignette to rear cover depicting Alice and the Red Queen; each with blind-tooled highlights. Turn-ins with gilt tooled border, small gilt corner pieces. All edges gilt. A beautiful copy. Housed in a blue cloth slipcase.
Robert Riviere (18081882), bookbinder, was born in London in 1808. On leaving school, in 1824, he apprenticed with Messrs. Allman, the booksellers, of Princes Street, Hanover Square. In 1829 he established himself at Bath as a bookseller, and subsequently as a bookbinder in a small way, employing only one man. But not finding sufficient scope for his talents in that city, he came in 1840 to London, where he commenced business as a bookbinder.
The excellent workmanship and good taste displayed in his bindings gradually won for them the appreciation of connoisseurs, and he was largely employed by the Duke of Devonshire, Mr. Christie-Miller, Captain Brooke, and other great collectors. He also bound for the queen and the royal family. In the Great Exhibition of 1851 he exhibited several examples of his skill, and he obtained a medal.
The bindings of Riviere, in the quality of the materials, the forwarding, and in the finish and delicacy of the tooling are deserving of almost unqualified commendation. His bindings are wonderful specimens of artistic taste, skill, and perseverance.
Riviere bequeathed his business to this son-in-law in 1880, and the name of the firm was changed to Riviere & Son. Bayntun of Bath acquired Riviere c. 1930.
Price: $0
(To order this item, or for more information, please call 818-222-4103)
