My Alice in Wonderland Collection (2024)

A few blog posts ago I mentioned how I hadn’t revealed my true love (ahem obsession) with all things Alice in Wonderland, so now is the time to tell you a little bit about it – you’re in for a treat!

My love for Alice began when I was around 12 years old, I was gifted a copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass from a school friend and I became fascinated with the weird and wonderful mind of Lewis Carroll.

Fast forward two years later and Tim Burton’s version of Alice in Wonderland came out in the cinema and we went to watch it as part of a Mother’s Day treat. I absolutely loved Tim Burton’s version of Alice, the makeup was mind blowing, Helena Bonham Carter did a fabulous Queen of Hearts! So I would say watching that film really kick-started my fondness of the wonderful world of Alice in Wonderland.

I have been collecting different editions and copies of Alice for the last few years because I felt like I needed to (I don’t know I just love Alice okay). I have a shelf on my bookcase especially dedicated to the likes of all things Alice, I have over 40 different copies of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.
I thought it would be a cute little idea to share some of my favourite editions with you all and the stories behind why I chose to buy them.

Flamingo Print Penguin Classics, Clothbound

One of my friends from university, the lovely Emma has a whole collection of the clothbound Penguin Classics and when I discovered that they had printed an Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass edition, I needed it!
My parents kindly bought it for me for my 19th birthday. I already knew because I specifically asked for it but I was thrilled despite knowing, of course.

Ladybird Children’s Classics

The majority of my friends and family know that I collect a variety of editions and they will often buy onefor me if they spot them out and about. My grandparents bought me this Ladybird edition which was so exciting because I didn’t even know theyproduced a Ladybird version of the story and I adore the cover.

Neneh’s Adventures in Wonderland

This is one of the best ones yet. My friends bought this special personalised version for my 17th birthday where you can change the names of each of the characters to whoever you like. It was such a thoughtful gift and it made me squeal with excitement!

William Clowes and Sons, Limited

Now this is an absolute beauty, my parents spotted this in a shop (they can’t remember where) and according to my quick research its worth a fair amount of money so I am keeping it safe in a bag. I try not to open it too much because it is very delicate and the spine of the book is tearing away from the pages. It is one of my favourites purely because I am chuffed I have a ‘rare’ copy in my collection!

Alice’s Adventures Under Ground, One World Classics 2009

This was the original title of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland when Carroll wrote the story for the Liddell family but it was changed when it was officially published. I bought this book in the Alice Shop in Oxford which as you’ve probably guessed sells a whole host of Alice themed items. This edition has the original written copy by Carroll printed within it, yes I know it’s amazing.

Nelson’s Books for Nursery Nooks, Alice and the White Rabbit

This is an adorable edition because even though I’m not too impressed with it being written in, it has some memory of a child who previously owned the book. From the writing from the past owner it shows it was published around 1914-16 which is insane, it’s over 100 years old!!

New York, St Martin’s Press, 1964

Another special book in my collection, this is a version that has been translated into Latin which was bought for me by one of my dad’s work colleagues which was very generous of them. I don’t have any other versions in other languages so this was a nice surprise to receive in the post.

Marvel Classic Edition, 1978

Now, this has a very exciting comic version of Alice in Wonderland produced by Marvel and has a fun little story behind it. My parents bought this copy for me from Addyman Books, an adorable little bookshop in Hay-on-Wye and the lovely lady who owns the shop gave us a discount because I have been there so many times! Marvel produced this edition but didn’t print very many because they didn’t think they would be very successful but now they are a collector’s item! I am so lucky!!