October 20, 2019

J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan and Wendy illustrated by Mabel Lucie Attwell

Sir James Matthew Barrie (1860–1937) was a Scottish novelist and playwright best known for creating Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up. This fictional character was first introduced in Barrie's adult novel, The Little White Bird in 1902 but did not become popular until it was written for children. Barrie wrote the play, Peter Pan in 1904 which was very well received, followed by three more books in the series. Arthur Rackham (1867–1939) illustrated two versions of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, a gorgeous gift numbered volume in 1906, arguably the most beautiful version to own but we'll save that for another post and an abridged version in 1910. When Wendy Grew Up in 1908 was a sequel to that and lastly, Peter and Wendy in 1909. All first editions were published by Hodder & Stoughton in the United Kingdom and Charles Scribner's Sons in the United States. These volumes are the first of countless subsequent printings.

Peter and Wendy, 1921 is an abridged version written for younger readers by May Byron (1861–1936) with illustrations by Mabel Lucie Attwell (1879–1964). Below are scans from that book. Originally, twelve coloured plates are included but newer printings might have only nine or six. There are also numerous line drawings between the text. Attwell uses watercolour and pen and ink for her paintings here. A current edition of this book is available at Amazon (affiliate) with an updated cover and illustrations by Attwell.

Peter and WendyPeter and WendyPeter and WendyPeter and WendyPeter and WendyPeter and Wendy
Peter and WendyPeter and WendyPeter and WendyPeter and WendyPeter and WendyPeter and Wendy
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