The Westminster Alice

London: Reprinted from the Westminster Gazette, 1902. FIRST EDITION IN BOOK FORM. With numerous text illustrations by F. Carruthers Gould. Original printed wrappers, stapled twice, smallo tear to front wrapper from the spine; interior excellent. Pencil signature on the top wrapper from D. Temple Munro (?). First printing in book form. A collection of vignettes originally published in the Westminster Gazette of London. One of a number of wonderful political parodies of Lewis Carroll’s famous books, Alice finds herself somewhat dazed and confused by the political climate in Westminster. A number of notable British politicians are identified, including Joseph Chamberlain (Queen of Hearts, the Red Queen, and the Mad Hatter); Arthur Balfour (White Queen and the March Hare); the Marquess of Salisbury (King of Hearts and the Dormouse); the Archbishop of Canterbury Frederick Temple (Duchess); and Redvers Buller (Humpty Dumpty). The book features 48 drawings by Gould after the originals by John Tenniel.

Munro (1870-1916), better known by the pen name Saki, was a British writer whose witty stories satirize Edwardian society and culture. He is considered a master of the short story, and often compared to O. Henry and Dorothy Parker. Gould (1844-1925) was a British caricaturist and political cartoonist.