With the V&A planning a ‘mind-bending journey into Wonderland’, Lewis Carroll’s tale of Alice is as indelibly stamped on the public psyche now as it was more than 150 years ago.

Sir John Tenniel’s illustrations – as much part of our mental image of Alice, the Red Queen and the White Rabbit as their descriptions in the book, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, itself – were just the beginning, with numerous reinterpretations down the years.

These changing views of the characters, influenced by the fashions of the day, create a fascinating history in themselves. Now examples can be found in Swann Auction Galleries’ Illustration Art auction on December 10, where a series of lots show how Alice and the cast of characters were viewed in the 1930s.

Three works from D.R. Sexton’s 1933 edition most notably include a flapper Alice, with shingled blonde hair, rosy cheeks and a tunic dress, appears with the hookah-smoking caterpillar ($3,000-4,000); also featured is Harry Rountree’s 1901 illustration featuring the queen ($6,000-9,000).

Other highlights in the sale include an original ink drawing by E.H. Shepard, illustrator of Winnie the Pooh, a set of illustrated pages from a draft book by the Arts & Crafts movement artist Walter Crane and a rare original Vogue cover from 1930 by the fashion illustrator and poster artists Georges Lepape.

Image courtesy of Swann Auction Galleries

Captions

Gryphon

D.R. Sexton, Come on, cried the gryphon, and, taking Alice by the hand, it hurried off, story illustration for Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, 1933. Estimate $4,000 to $6,000.

Caterpillar

D.R. Sexton, Come Back! the caterpillar called after her, story illustration for Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, 1933. Estimate $3,000 to $4,000. Estimate $3,000 to $4,000.

Invitation

D.R. Sexton, An invitation from the Queen to play croquet, story illustration for Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, 1933. Estimate $3,000 to $4,000. 

Queen

Harry Rountree, The frying-pan just missed her, story illustration for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol, 1901. Estimate $6,000 to $9,000.

Auction title: Illustration Art

Auction date: Tuesday, December 10, at 1:30 pm (EST)

Preview dates: December 5-6, 10-6; December 7, 12-5; December 9, 10-6; December 10, 10-12

Specialist: Christine von der Linn • cvonderlinn@swanngalleries.com • 212-254-4710 x 20