Rare ‘Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland’ copy from 1865 going to auction

NEW YORK – A first print-run of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland” is heading to auction, where it could fetch as much as $3 million.

It’s one of only six 1865 copies in private hands. Christie’s New York is offering it on June 16.

The book contains 42 original drawings by the famed illustrator John Tenniel.

Carroll had the entire 1865 edition of 2,000 withdrawn and 50 advance copies returned to him after Tenniel complained of being “entirely dissatisfied” with the quality of the printing of the illustrations.

The book was reprinted a year later.

Christie’s is offering the book together with a photograph Carroll took of the daughter of the book’s first owner.

The book is also one of 10 known in an original red cloth binding.