Phantasmagoria

5RR Lewis Carroll, London: Macmillan and Co. 1869. First Edition. Presentation copy from Carroll to his Sister.

Notes

Phantasmagoria is a poem written by Lewis Carroll (the pen name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson), first published in 1869. It is a darkly whimsical and surreal narrative that blends elements of the supernatural with Carroll’s signature playful wordplay. The poem is a monologue by a speaker who encounters a series of increasingly bizarre and ghostly figures, including disembodied heads, talking animals, and unsettling apparitions. Carroll’s work explores themes of fear, imagination, and the tension between reality and the fantastical. It was published in a time when the popularity of ghost stories and gothic literature was high, and Carroll's playful inversion of these themes allowed him to comment on Victorian anxieties while also providing an entertaining escape into the absurd.

The origins of Phantasmagoria lie in Carroll's personal interests and the cultural context of his time. During the 19th century, phantasmagorias—spectacular ghost shows—were popular, involving projections of eerie images or images of the dead on screens or walls, often accompanied by dramatic sound effects. This inspired the title and the eerie tone of the poem. Additionally, Carroll was influenced by the growing interest in the macabre, which appeared in the works of poets like Edgar Allan Poe. However, Carroll’s take on the genre is laced with irony and humor, characteristics that would become hallmarks of his later works, such as Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Phantasmagoria is significant because it offers a glimpse into Carroll’s ability to combine elements of the grotesque with wit and nonsense, establishing him as a master of blending fantasy with deeper, more philosophical themes. It is a work that bridges the realms of gothic fiction and absurdist humor, further solidifying Carroll’s unique place in Victorian literature.

Mary Charlotte Dodgson, to whom this copy was gifted, was the younger sister of Lewis Carroll, born in 1837. Mary was one of the ten children in the Dodgson family, and while she is less known in the historical record than some of her siblings, her life was still intertwined with her famous brother's. Like the rest of the Dodgson children, Mary grew up in a strict, religious household, and the Dodgson family was closely knit, with Charles maintaining close relationships with his siblings throughout his life.

Description

Deep blue cloth binding with pointillized gilt embossed organic designs on the upper and lower boards. Double gilt boarder around both boards as well. Title in gilt on the spine. A fair amount of sun fading to the spine. Bumped corners. Minimal fraying to the upper and lower spine. All edges gilt. Some minor warping to the fabric on the lower board and scuffing to upper and lower boards. Detached first blank leaf. Very Good condition overall. Housed in navy cloth clamshell with black label with gilt lettering. Red marbled interior of the clamshell.