The Hunting of the Snark

5 c  1876.  Lewis Carroll.  First edition with the "baker" not the Butcher pg 83

Note

The Hunting of the Snark by Lewis Carroll is a whimsical and nonsensical poem that takes readers on an absurd voyage with a strange crew in search of the elusive Snark. Written in Carroll’s signature style, the poem blends wordplay, fantasy, and satire, creating a surreal world where logic is twisted and meanings are delightfully ambiguous. The characters—including the Bellman, the Baker, and the Beaver—embark on their illogical expedition guided by an unreliable map and cryptic instructions, highlighting Carroll’s fascination with the limits of reason and language. Though humorous on the surface, the poem subtly touches on themes of existential uncertainty and the absurdity of human pursuits.

Description

Tan cloth with black stamped tiles and decoration to the boards and spine. All edges gilt, black endpapers, 8 full paper illustrations by Henry Holiday , blank ocean chart, good condition