Lewis Carroll / Thomas Maybank - Alice in Wonderland written in shorthand - 1915

This 1915 edition of "Alice in Wonderland" showcases the classic Lewis Carroll tale written in shorthand and prepared by Thomas Maybank. Shorthand is a writing method designed for rapid transcription, allowing text to be recorded much faster than traditional longhand script. Presenting a literary work in shorthand form is a unique educational and linguistic artifact, illustrating both the complexity and adaptability of stenographic systems for literary transmission. Given Carroll’s playfulness with language, a shorthand edition adds an extra layer of intrigue, merging literary art with practical communication technology. Such editions might interest historians of linguistics, shorthand educators, and collectors focused on the intersection of literature and writing methods. This particular presentation exemplifies early 20th-century experimentation with text formats and demonstrates the cultural reach of Carroll’s work beyond standard print.