“one of the most sought after Dalí suites of all time” – Maria Popova 

UBC’s Rare Books and Special Collections owns one of the 2500 “Dali Alice” portfolios published in 1969. As the name suggests, this is an edition of Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland illustrated by the Surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. Published by Maecenas Press – Random House in France, we have copy #1584.

the linen and leather case

Each copy of this portfolio holds thirteen original woodcut remarques housed in the case shown in the picture above. The case is quite large: eighteen and a half inches high. There are twelve full page, full colour illustrations and an illustrated frontispiece with Dalí’s signature. To see all of the images, please click here.

frontispiece, signed by Dalí

Each chapter is set in its own booklet, which allows for easy organization, especially as the pages are not bound together.

chapter 2 – the pool of tears

As well, the first letter of each chapter is set within a small image of Alice, as Dalí depicts her throughout the novel: in a long dress, in the middle of skipping rope.

the first page of chapter 1 – down the rabbit hole

Some further information about this portfolio: (quoted from the portfolio itself)

“2500 portfolios, numbered I to 2500, were printed on Mandeure paper. Each portfolio is signed on the frontispiece by the artist. Each portfolio contains 12 illustrations with an original remarque on each of these illustrations. One original colored etching signed in the plate is opposite the frontispiece. A few portfolios marked H.C. were printed for the publisher and his collaborators”

For this limited edition of ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND the etching and remarques were printed by Ateliers Rigal. The twelve illustrations were printed by M. Nourisson. The typography was set at the press of Ateliers Rigal. Portfolios by Cartonnages Adine. Printed in France in 1969″.

The call number for this portfolio is PR4611 A5A6 1969, because this portfolio should be experienced in person.

Works Cited