CARROLL, Lewis (author). Kuniyoshi KANEKO (illustrator). Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. [Italy] Olivetti. 1974.

4to.; original magenta cloth lettered in white to spine with large onlaid pictorial paper label to upper board, double-page pictorial endpapers; pp. [iv], 5-118 + [5]; with coloured frontispiece and a total of 13 fine monochrome plates by Kaneko; a near fine copy with only a touch of external dusting, internally immaculate, without ownership marks or inscriptions; scarce.

First edition thus, a de luxe edition, published by the Olivetti company and issued without a dustwrapper. This is a striking unabridged reproduction of the Penguin Books edition of the work. It was for private distribution only.

The technology and typewriting company Olivetti is known for its “Libri Strenna”, or gift books, commissioned for promotional Christmas gifts for its premier clients, executives and suppliers. These celebratory books were never offered for sale and only a limited number of English language editions were made available.

Kuniyoshi Kaneko (1936-2015) is loved for his dreamlike and surreal artworks in graphite, with a minimalist  Japanese aesthetic. These darker tones particularly suit the complex psychology of Carroll’s classic novel. He went on to become Japan’s definitive illustrator of “Alice”, accepting several other themed commissions such as a ballet and an interactive media game.