1878 Rare Victorian Book - The Hunting of the SNARK by Lewis Carroll

Author: Lewis Carroll. Illustrated by Henry Holiday.
Title: The Hunting of the Snark: An Agony in Eight Fits.
Publisher: London, Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1898. Later edition.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 7.5" x 5".
Pages: xi-83 pages.
Binding: Attractive and near fine publisher’s original red cloth binding, strikingly stamped in gilt with the iconic Bellman and Boojum designs by Henry Holiday on the front and rear boards, and gilt titling on spine (hinges fine, overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. All edges gilt. 
Content: Very good content (bright, tight and clean, rare light foxing or staining - as shown). A beautifully preserved example of this poetic nonsense masterpiece.
Illustrations: Illustrated with nine extraordinary full-page black-and-white illustrations by Henry Holiday, including the famous blank "Ocean-Chart." All illustrations are complete and in excellent condition, vividly bringing Carroll's surreal voyage to life.

Estimate: (USD 200–300).

The book: A brilliant 1898 Macmillan edition of The Hunting of the Snark, Lewis Carroll’s enduring nonsense epic that continues the dreamlike logic of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Originally published in 1876, this poem tells the tale of an improbable crew of characters in search of the elusive and possibly dangerous “Snark.” Featuring Henry Holiday’s iconic illustrations, this edition retains the full visual and imaginative charm of the original. The elaborate gilt design on red cloth remains among the most celebrated examples of late Victorian book design.

The author: Lewis Carroll (1832–1898), born Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, was a British author, mathematician, and logician best known for his timeless works Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. His unique blending of logic, whimsy, and literary invention made him one of the most distinctive voices in English literature. The Hunting of the Snark reveals his continued fascination with the absurd and fantastical, showcasing his skill in both poetic form and imaginative storytelling.

The illustrator: Henry Holiday (1839–1927) was a British historical painter, stained-glass designer, and book illustrator closely associated with the Pre-Raphaelite movement. His collaboration with Lewis Carroll on The Hunting of the Snark resulted in some of the most memorable and enigmatic illustrations in children's literature. His cross-hatched, meticulously detailed drawings perfectly match the surreal tone of the poem, balancing humor with the eerie and unknown.