(14 August 2015) Today marks the final day of the State Library of Victoria’s 2015 Annual Appeal. Thanks to many generous donations, more than $80,000 was raised.
These funds will go towards the acquisition of; a rare first edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, 36 original Blinky Bill illustrations, and the papers of award-winning Australian author Sonya Hartnett.
The 1865 copy of Lewis Carroll’s children’s classic, which features the iconic original illustrations by John Tenniel, is the only known first edition of the book in an Australian public collection.
The special edition will complete the Library’s set, having received a very generous donation of Carroll’s 1872 sequel Through the looking-glass, and what Alice found there by Victorian County Court Judge, Graham Anderson and his wife Anita, in 2012.
Both editions will be on display from 10 October 2015, in the permanent Mirror of the world exhibition located in the Dome Galleries.
The 36 Blinky Bill illustrations and the papers of award-winning Australian author Sonya Hartnett will be publicly displayed at a later date.
Read the illustrated announcement in full here.
