Lewis Carroll's favourite model sold for £24,000

[Michael Wong]

Three photographs of Alexandra Rhoda "Xie" Kitchin, one of author Lewis Carroll's favourite models, were auctioned off at Bonhams collectible books sale last week (8th June) for £24,000. They were each on a cabinet card with Carroll's negative number, grading letter as well as a caption in the photographer's hand.

Carroll, a keen photographer, considered these to be among his best work, and showed Alexandra in Danish and Oriental costumes. Kitchin's father was the Dean of Durham, and for fifteenyears the Censor of the unattached members of the University of Oxford. Hence this gave Carroll, a fellow of Christ Church, plenty of opportunities of photographing her.

Details of the sale can be found here.