Art & Culture

Item Description

Originally published in 1906, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens is the first children's book of Peter Pan, specifically the story of how Peter left his family as an infant, befriended the fairies of Kensington Gardens, and learned to fly.

This extremely rare, first book edition features the artwork of Arthur Rackham, in three-color process engravings. The illustrations are grouped at the end of the book, each with its own tissue guard printed with a quote from the story printed on it. 126 text pages + 50 single-sided plates of illustrations (including frontispiece). 8 x 10 inches.

Rust cloth over boards feature gilt title and illustration. Illustrations are tipped-in (lightly pasted) onto bound, gray, heavy-stock paper. Binding is secure, exhibiting some play at front hinge and where story ends and illustrations begin. Binding gaps at the gutter between the text signatures and the plates. Covers are scuffed, with some staining and moderate edgewear, including exposed board at corner.Front pastedown / ffep has a printed map of Peter Pan's Kensington Gardens. Back pastedown is free of intentional marks, and exhibits some aging, warping and possible water/damp damage. Ink gift inscription dated Christmas 1906 above map on ffep. Pastedown has pasted color illustration of Maude Adams as Peter Pan from a theatrical version. Frontis is detached from book, with its tissue guard still bound into book. Inside pages are age toned with occasional foxing and smudges. Textblock edges are inked in gray to match illustration plate pages, with some fading, dust and scuffing, and light staining at head near spine. Illustrations appear to be clean and in nice condition. Tissue guards are intact, have some tanning and impressions from the illustrations. Some have foxing and/or wear. Book may exhibit additional minor signs of age or wear.

Hodder & Stoughton, London, 1906. Hardcover.
Book Condition: Good
Arthur Rackham (illustrator). 1st Edition. 

Item Special Note

Item may be picked up the night of the Gala, mailed via USPS, or picked up at Third Street Music School after May 9 and until June 1 between the hours of 9:30 am and 5:30 pm or by appointment. Winner is responsible for all shipping costs.