Fantasy Barrie, J. M.: Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens (illus-Rackham). v1. 22 Nov 2016

[GrannyGrump]

Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens by J. M. (James Matthew) Barrie (1860–1937)
Illustrated by Arthur Rackham (1867–1939)

The Little White Bird (source of the Peter Pan chapters) was first published in 1902; Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens was first published in 1906.
Text and illustrations are in the public domain in the USA, and in countries where copyright is “Life+70” or less.

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Sir James Matthew Barrie, 1st Baronet, OM, a Scottish novelist and playwright, wrote a number of successful novels and plays. He is best remembered today as the creator of Peter Pan. After Peter’s debut in The Little White Bird, Barrie went on to write the 1904 stage play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up, followed in 1911 by the novel Peter and Wendy.

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The text of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens originally appeared as part of Barrie’s novel for adult readers, The Little White Bird, a semi-autobiographical fantasy about an unnamed gentleman and David, a little boy he befriends; the Peter Pan story is something he tells to the boy (and the boy to him).

Peter is a seven-day-old infant who, “like all infants”, used to be part bird. Peter has complete faith in his flying abilities, so, he is able to escape out the window of his London home and return to Kensington Gardens. There, Peter is shocked to learn from the crow Solomon Caw that he is not still a bird, but more like a human – Solomon says he is crossed between them as a “Betwixt-and-Between”. Unfortunately, Peter now knows he cannot fly, so he is stranded in Kensington Gardens, and stays on the Bird’s Island.

The book goes on to describe with wry and gentle humor Peter’s adventures in kite-flying, boat-building, and other play and pastimes; and about the customs and habits of fairies, trees, and other magical inhabitants of the Gardens.

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“Mr. Barrie has done what no one else has done since the inventor of ‘Alice’, he has invented a new legend, a modern folk story which comprehends all the innermost secrets of the modern child, be he four or forty. Mr. Rackham, for his part, has been bewitched in his cradle: he does not dream of fairies or hobgoblins, he knows them.”
(—The World, review contemporary to the book’s publication.)

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This book is lavishly illustrated with 51 of Rackham’s wonderful full-page color images, several full-page line drawings, and chapter decorations. Keep an eye on the trees – they will be watching you!
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EDIT: Uploaded version with alternate cover, Blue with gilt vignette of Peter playing his pan pipes. Text and layout unchanged.
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[GrannyGrump]

I found a lovely gilt vignette of Peter from a vintage cover, so I have uploaded an additional version with an alternate cover featuring this vignette.
Text and formatting are unchanged.

[Cootey]

Thank you!!

[GrannyGrump]

You are most welcome!
Enjoy the magical world of Peter Pan!