Original Art by Marc Burckhardt, Gallery Shoal Creek, Austin, TX
H is for Hole
As in,
Down the rabbit hole!
Exhibit Organized by Danielle Brune Sigler, Harry Ransom Center
Associate Director for Research and Programs, with assistance from Alexandra Bass.
The Harry Ransom Center ~ The University of Texas
recently hosted a very special exhibit
in recognition of the 150th anniversary of
Lewis Carroll's,
ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND.
Come along with me down the rabbit hole
for a glimpse of this fascinating exhibit
that celebrates one of the most popular
children's books of all times
and the magical imagination of Lewis Carroll.
and the magical imagination of Lewis Carroll.
Photo of Alice Liddell
It all began on July 4, 1862, when Charles Dodgson
conjured up a fanciful tale of a bored little girl
who fell down a rabbit hole.
His intent was to entertain the three young Liddell sisters
on an afternoon outing, now known as "the Golden Afternoon."
Little Alice Liddell was so taken by the story,
that she asked Mr. Dodgson to write it down for her,
which he did some two years later.
As they say, "The rest is history!"
Writing under the pseudonym of Lewis Carroll, Dodgson's,
ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND,
was first published in 1872 with illustrations by John Tenniel.
Harry Rountree, Illustrator, London 1908
By 1907, the British copyright had expired and countless new
editions have been published through the years
with new artwork by artists and illustrators who have
provided their own artistic interpretations.
Milo Winter, American Illustrator, 1916
Alice Around the World Display
The year after the first publication, Lewis Carroll
worked with his publisher to pursue translations
of his book in both French and German.
ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND
has since been translated into many languages.
Early on, Lewis Carroll encouraged
the commercialization of
ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND.
The postage stamp case, top right, was produced in 1890.
The Eberhard Faber colored pencils are from the late 1920s.
The board game, "Alice's Race in Wonderland" is English, undated.
One of my favorite contemporary interpretations
currently available on the market is Robert Sabuda's dazzling
pop-up version that includes seven full page pop-ups plus more
pop-ups within mini-books included on the pages.
Available here on Amazon.
I felt especially fortunate that this
incredible exhibit was right here in my home town.
as I've only presented a mere sampling of the
amazing collection the Harry Ransom Center
spotlighted within this exhibit.
It goes without saying that this Alice fan
has collected things herself through the years.
an avid fan of Lewis Carroll's Alice,
certainly you are not surprised that I have a few copies of
ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND
in my own library.
It's nearing time for the annual
Mad Tea Party @ A Fanciful Twist.
Hope to see you there on Saturday!
Joining
Wow what a great adventure!! And so happy your tote tagged along - your pics are wonderful!!
ReplyDeleteOh great post. You should link at the Mad Hatters Party this weekend! I enjoyed this. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFabulous post, Sarah, what a great exhibit that is, just goes to show that Miss MC doesn't have to travel too far from home to have an adventure!
ReplyDeleteLovely post ! I have visited the real Alice's birthplace in Oxford and also the shop where she used to buy sweets ! It was very interesting !
ReplyDeleteSarah I would have enjoyed the great exhibit! I just checked for Alice exhibits and there are a few in NYC. You and Miss CC make a great pair.
ReplyDeleteHow fortunate you are indeed Sarah to have this exhibit in Austin! You look fabulous and having such an adventure in your own home town. I love the story of Alice too so Jim and I visited all things Alice in Oxford. Love this post and what a great way to join up with the popular Mad Tea Party. Thanks for taking us along on the exhibit.
ReplyDeleteSarah, I am reading Alice now and enjoying it so much! I would have loved to see this exhibit, and I noticed that the website of the museum still has a video and other information posted for anyone who would like to see or hear more. We are hoping to get down to the Morgan Library in NYC to see their exhibit, but I don't think they will have a "rabbit hole" for us to hop into! I will definitely take Miss Rosie along with me! :)
ReplyDeleteWell how fun is that! I didn't realize just how large those MC tote bags are! Looks like a fun day!
ReplyDeleteThat bag:) That hat:) You are stylin':) So prettily!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely exposition!
Sarah, this was so interesting! I would so love to see that exhibit! You looked so cute in your hat carrying your MC tote bag! I think I need a tea party this weekend!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Linda
Sarah:
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that you are very lucky to have this magnificent display right in your home town. It looks like a lot of fun.
I visit often but don't always have time to comment. Trying to get a post up here and there. I truly miss it. Love your visits. Thank you.
- Alma, The Tablescaper
Oh, I adore this post. You are so lucky to have attended this wonderful exhibit. I would have enjoyed it, too! My Mad Tea Party post is ready to go, and I can't wait to visit everyone's party. Your post has made me smile and look forward to tomorrow. Thanks, Sarah!
ReplyDeletexo,
Ricki Jill
What a great post Sarah, so enjoyable! What an amazing exhibit to see. I see the "tote" got to see it also. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post for Alice in Wonderful ~ glad to tour the 'rabbit hole' ~ Also wonderful Fourth of July photos for G ~ think I commented but in case I didn't wanted to be sure tell you what a wonderful photo post it was ~
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend to you,
artmusedog and carol
Wow ... this is a lovely post.
ReplyDeleteHave a splendid weekend ahead
Ooh Sarah, what a perfect exhibit for you to attend. Look at you and Miss CC looking all stylish and chic!! Thanks for sharing the tour with us, and all the information, too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful exhibit! I love the sweet rabbit in your first photo... and seeing the illustrations from other countries was very interesting! Lucky you for being able to attend :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome exhibit! Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteJudy
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteAmazing exhibit, dear friend!!!
Thank you for taking us along on this virtual tour of the museum!!!
You look a d o r a b l e in the photo of the House of Cards!!!
Fondly,
Pat
What a wonderful exhibition and you got to see it - how special is that. Thanks so much for taking us down the rabbit hole.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to tomorrow for the Mad Hatter Tea Party.
Mary
How fun! I have that pop up book. It's quite elaborate. We've kept it tucked away from prying little fingers. I had forgotten about it. I may have to dig it out this weekend. Ps- I still love that bag!
ReplyDeleteSarah, this was wonderful! Loved learning how the story came about. That would be such a fun exhibit to see. Glad you got to go and you sure are cute with your hat and checkered bag! Thanks for sharing with SYC. Looking forward to your Mad Tea post!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Great look at blog Like your Bag
ReplyDeleteLaura
Sarah, You're such a fashionista posing by the rabbit hole with your Courtly Check travelling tote! What a fun exhibit to see in person. ♥
ReplyDeleteHahaha! I LOVE this post!! What a treat!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful exhibit and how lucky you are to have been able to visit! I too am passionate about children's literature and made a special trip to Oxford during a vacation in London so I could go to see where it all started for Alice. There was a lovely little shop there with nothing but Alice items. Thank you for sharing your visit!
ReplyDeleteRobin
Witty, beautiful and scrumptious Tea Party, it was a pleasure to join you!
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah, what a fun post! And what a fun visit you had! That makes me want to read the book. We used to have that pop up book and I just went to look for it and I guess I sold it somewhere along the line.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing and happy Sunday!
Gina
I really enjoyed this post. About five years ago my husband got a fellowship to the Harry Ransom Library and we lived and worked in Austin for a couple of months. What a place! I was able to see and touch the garments worn by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, read the personal papers of Ellery Queen and Erle Stanley Gardner, and even see the reproduction of his office that they, for whatever reason, keep tucked away. I truly enjoyed this post. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI could have spent days at an exhibit like this!
ReplyDeleteThat's a fun exhibit, indeed. I've been thinking it's time for me to read the true version of the book. I've read adaptions and I'm sure they didn't do the book true justice.
ReplyDeleteThe View from the Top of the Ladder
So many fun Alice things!! I just love that party with Vanessa! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
ReplyDeleteSherry
What a lovely party!! Everything looks so wonderful, but I'm particularly drooling over that eclair, lol!
ReplyDeleteI also stopped by to let you know you won the little print giveaway at my own Mad Tea Party. Please drop me a line at carolee@kingofmice.com with your mailing info, and I'll get it mailed asap. :)
Thanks!
♥ Carolee
PS - your blog is named after my favorite poem. :)
How much fun to be Alice for a day and go down the rabbit hole, Sarah! Of course you had your traveling tote with you for the adventure! How lucky to have all this Alice fun right in your own backyard right before the annual tea party!
ReplyDeleteJenna
What an incredibly happy and fascinating exhibit!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing all the interpretations! The giant cards are really cool and I love the first painting as well.
Thanks for linking this to the letter H.
A+
Sarah, seeing this comment from you will surely make you laugh. You could definitely say I am behind, but I saved my e-mail notification of your blog posts so I wouldn't miss any when I finally had a bit of time. So, let me say Happy Pink Saturday and Happy New Year. This is a perfect example of better late than never.
ReplyDeleteI would have loved this exhibit. It was like you were stepping into Wonderland. The photos of you are wonderful, and you look as if you could have been part of the story. Thank you for sharing.