DODGSON CHARLES LUTWIDGE: (1832-1898) Dodgson sends his 'Love to any daughters not too old'

DODGSON CHARLES LUTWIDGE: (1832-1898) Dodgson sends his 'Love to any daughters not too old'

DODGSON CHARLES LUTWIDGE: (1832-1898) Lewis Carroll. English author, poet and mathematician whose works include Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865). A good A.L.S., C L Dodgson, two pages, 8vo, The Chestnuts, Guildford (Surrey), 5th January 1874, to 'My dear Jebb', father of one of the author's 'child-friends'. Dodgson, writing in his characteristic violet ink, explains that he delayed from writing until knowing something of his plans, continuing 'Would it suit you to take me in for 2 or 3 days about the 17th?' and further stating 'I should much like to see you all again - though I can't help fearing that at last Edith has ceased to be a child, & that I shall find her with her hair done up 'a la grown-up' - Is it so? It will be a great shock to my feelings! But if it is so, I must bear it'. Dodgson also remarks 'I used to have a paper of your children's ages & birthdays, but have lost it. Could you tell me them again? I have lost count & can't make out Edith's age', before concluding by sending his regards to Mrs. Jebb and his 'Love to any daughters not too old'. With only a small, thin portion of the integral leaf of the bifolium remaining. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG

Dodgson had first encountered Edith Jebb (b.1858) in 1866 whilst staying in the coastal town of Whitby, North Yorkshire. The author sought an introduction to Edith and her sister, describing them as 'remarkably pretty', and succeeded in making their acquaintance. He took a photograph of Edith, her sister Florence, and their brother Alvery, at Braithwaite's in Whitby on 25th September 1866. Edith would also sit again for Dodgson in 1874, presumably soon after the present letter was written.