Rosenbach Museum and Library: Object

"Why is a Raven like a Writing Desk?" or
The Mad Hatter's Tea Party
Sir John Tenniel
Wood Engraving
1864-5

This object from the Rosenbach Museum and Library's online database, is an original print for the illustrations of the book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.  This object could be very important to a lot of people.  Generations of people have a connection with this story, and can easily recognize the characters.  There have even been many interpretations of the book turned into movies, making a connection between the story and even more people.  Also, historians and art collectors would be highly interested in this piece because of the influence this story has had on literature and even the artist's skill in depicting the scene.  

I am not sure if this image is actually on display at the Rosenbach currently, in fact I believe that it is most likely in archives because of the restrictions in displaying works on paper due to preservation needs.  I chose this image though, because I have been fascinated with the story of Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) and his relationship with Alice and her sister.  Also, during the tour I had noticed a manuscript that was on display in one of the cases written by Dodgson to Alice.  This made me want to post an object that could portray the relationship of the author and the subject of the story.  It is fascinating to understand that such a classic piece of literature was written for a young girl, with her as the subject of the story.  

I am not 100% positive, but I am guessing that this piece was acquired by the Rosenbach brothers during their lifetime.  These types of original documents would be exactly what they were looking to put into their collection.  Also, the brothers went to great lengths in order to bring the original manuscript of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland to the United States.  Of course it is no longer in the collection, but there are a lot of Alice related materials that were acquired by the brothers.    

Because the print is not on display in the museum (my assumption, because I did not see it), I do not believe there is any descriptive material. The information in the database is limited to the title, author, date, and catalog number.  However if there were, I am sure that it would communicate the story of Alice and Dodgson.  Alice Liddell Hargreaves actually visited the Rosenbachs in the 1930s in Philadelphia.  So, this image might even be displayed next to the photographs of Alice and Dr. Rosenbach if it were to be exhibited.  This would allow for the visitors to relate to the history of the story of Alice and put into context exactly how the story came to be.  Also the Rosenbach's importance in history is shown through the relationships that they were trying to make.  

Understanding children's literature would definitely enrich a person's understanding of this object, but I also think that understanding the process of wood engraving would allow people to appreciate the work of Sir John Tenniel.  It is an involved process that requires great knowledge of the skill.  Someone who might not find interest in this object would be a person that does not like books, is not familiar with Alice in Wonderland, or has no interest in art and old documents.  It seems like most people might have interest in at least one of these categories, but I am sure that there is someone who would not be thrilled with this piece.  

I have heard some interesting stories/ rumors about the story of Dodgson and his relationship with Alice and her sister.  That might be a point of view that would tell a different narrative about this object.  Some people believe that Charles Dodgson may have had corrupt intentions because of the time that he had spent with these two young girls.  Also, Dodgson's photography is usually of youth subjects.  They might even attribute subtexts to the words found in the literature that might suggest that Dodgson was slightly obsessed with Alice.  Just Good Friends? is an article that presents this side of the story, if you have never heard it.    

This is all just an assumption made up by someone and there is no way of actually knowing if this was the case, but people who might view this image in the future might bring the assumptions with them and interpret the work with that meaning.  I believe that people in today's society like to ruin innocent stories like the one between Charles and Alice,  because they are just unaware of the social differences of the times.  Also today's society is fascinated with the dark side and how seemingly innocent things could have different meanings.  Just look at what people think about Disney movies.     

If I could, I would develop an exhibition that would be based on the manuscripts of Charles Dodgson and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.  With the wide variety of images and documents that the Rosenbach has in its collection, there would undoubtedly be enough information to build an exhibition.  It is such an interesting tale, that I believe it would bring in a wide audience.  This is because people are highly interested in the ambiguity of the story and it is so well known.