Peter and Wendy – J.M. Barrie – 1911 | First American Edition Peter Pan

The story of Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie is one of most famous and beloved children’s stories of all time, presented here as the first printing of the first American edition. Following the Darling children are spirited away on magical adventures to Neverland in the company of the enigmatic Peter Pan, the novel contrasts the idealistic innocence of childhood with the inevitable social responsibility of growing up. While children enjoy the fights with pirates and encounters with fairies and mermaids, adult readers can appreciate Barrie’s observations of human nature, such as the child’s propensity for capriciousness but also the joys of maturity. Retitled as Peter Pan and Wendy in later editions, this novelization of Barrie’s original stage play has inspired some of the most enjoyed films, music, and theatre productions of the 20^th century.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Peter and Wendy
• Author: J.M. Barrie
• Illustrator: F. D. Bedford
• Publisher: New York, Charles Scribner’s Sons
• Edition: First American Edition, First Printing 1911
  • Copyright “Published October, 1911” stated
  • Scribner ‘s seal on copyright page
• Binding: Decorative green cloth, gilt cover and spine design
• Format: Octavo (8vo), single volume
• Size: ~ 8.25in x 5.75in (21cm x 15cm)
• Collation: vii, [3], 267, [1]
• Illustrations: 12 full-page illustrations, including frontispiece, plus illustrated title page
• Contents Include:
  • Complete novel text
  • Full suite of illustrations
• Provenance: Handwritten signature of Rosanna Foster, 1916

Condition:

Very Good. Green cloth shows mild fading and rubbing to the boards, spine, and edges. The gilt titling on the spine and front board is still legible. The text block is secure and intact, and hinges have been restored. Internally clean, with some minor tears to occasional pages, without loss of text. Slight staining to the top edge of some plates.

Why Collect This?

• First U.S. printing with Scribner seal and October print notice
• Original decorative cloth binding
• Classic of the modern children’s fantasy genre

Item Number: #31123