Doublets a Word Puzzle

Lewis Carroll

Published by Macmillan and Co, London, 1879

About this Item

A scarce, very smart, first edition copy of this word-puzzle guide by Lewis Carroll. Carroll is often cited as the inventor, or at least the popularizer of these 'doublets' or 'word ladders' This book is 'a new puzzle' that was first introduced in Vanity Fair in 1879 by Carroll. This work forms a guide to the game, explaining the rules and method of scoring. In the publisher's original red cloth binding. Following this there are examples of Doublets already set in Vanity Fair with the solutions to page 38. Carroll has also included an extensive glossary of many well-known English words of 3, 4, 5 or 6 letters that can be used as links in the game. Carroll adopted the name 'doublets' for this puzzle from a passage in Shakespeare's Macbeth. A better known name for this type of puzzle is 'Word Ladder' or 'Laddergrams'. Carroll invented this game on Christmas day 1877 for Julia and Ethel Arnold who 'found nothing to do'. He first called it 'Word-Links' before changing the name for their publication in 'Vanity Fair'. A noted feature of Carroll's 'Doublets' compared to later inceptions of the game is that the progressions are humorous such as 'Pig' to 'Sty', 'Poor' into 'Rich', 'Ape' to 'Man' and 'Flour to 'Bread'. Prior owner's bookplate to the front pastedown, 'Edward Gaspar Box', once a commoner of Winchester College. A very bright copy of this important work, by the noted mathematician, inventor and author. Carroll devised a number of games, including an early prototype of what is now known as Scrabble. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, very smart. A light tidemark to the front board. A few light marks to the rear board. Bookplate to the front pastedown, 'Edward Gaspar Box'. Internally, firmly bound. Minor off-setting to the title page. Pages are otherwise bright. Just the odd spot. Very Good Indeed.

Seller Inventory # 708L4

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Doublets a Word Puzzle
• Publisher: Macmillan and Co, London
• Publication Date: 1879
• Binding: Cloth
• Illustrator: None
• Edition: First edition.
• Condition: Very Good Indeed
• Book Type: book
• Seller catalogs:
  • Board & Other Games