Sylvie and Bruno [together with:] Sylvie and Bruno Concluded.

London: Macmillan and Co.,, 1889-93. First editions, first impressions, handsomely bound. "Late in life Dodgson published Sylvie and Bruno (1889) and Sylvie and Bruno Concluded (1893), two long, complicated novels depicting three realms of being. Essentially love stories, they contain some imaginative flights that sparkle, but, where Dodgson in the Alice books eschewed any moral lesson, here he set himself a mission to edify and instruct, suggesting 'some thoughts that may prove... not wholly out of harmony with the graver cadences of Life' (Preface, Sylvie and Bruno, xiii)" (ODNB). Two vols, octavo (189 x 134 mm). Finely bound by Bayntun Riviere (Bath) in red polished calf, titles in gilt to dark pink and brown morocco labels to spine, richly gilt compartments, raised bands tooled in gilt, double ruled gilt borders to covers, board edges and turn-ins gilt, marbled endpapers, edges gilt. With illustrations by Harry Furniss. Spines sunned with occasional small scratch, a little rubbed to labels, joints, and extremities, tips a little worn, some shallow scratches to sides, occasional pale foxing. A very good set indeed. Williams-Madan-Green-Crutch 217 & 250.