Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, by J. M. Barrie

An early edition of J. M. Barrie’s origin story of Peter Pan, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens is a charming book that details the adventures of the little boy who would become one of the most beloved figures in children's literature. Whimsical and, at times, devastating, Barrie’s tale has endured generations and has become a lasting source of nostalgic magic and childhood wonder.

Published by Hodder & Stoughton, this edition predates the incorporation as a limited publishing company in 1920. This book is fully bound in cloth and is, overall, in very good condition. The green cloth-covered boards retain their vibrant colour, with only very slight spots of fading. The binding features gilt embossing: author, illustrator and publisher are gilt embossed on the spine, while the front cover displays a delightful image of a young Peter playing the panpipes, an iconic motif associated with the magical character.

The book is complete with 24 charming, coloured plates, along with a frontispiece, illustrated by Arthur Rackham. All images are protected by tissue guards. There is some foxing throughout the volume, particularly affecting the page edges, and a moderate stain across pg. 12. Despite this, the text remains fully legible and the pages are otherwise bright and clean. There is some minor wear to the spine and binding, which has resulted in slight looseness of the pages; however, the book remains fully intact and securely bound. Peter’s map of Kensington Gardens forms the endpapers at both the beginning and end of the volume: a beautiful detail that carries the story's magical world from its opening pages through to the last.

Whether you are seeking nostalgia or wishing to own a piece of the enduring legacy of Barrie's ingenious creation, this marvellous volume is a wonderful addition to any bookshelf.

It is being sold at £100.

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