J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan and Wendy by J. M. Barrie – Illustrated by Mabel Lucie Attwell

Peter Pan and Wendy by J. M. Barrie, illustrated in colour and black and white by celebrated British illustrator Mabel Lucie Attwell, is a wonderfully evocative vintage edition of one of the great classics of children’s literature. Published by Hodder & Stoughton, this substantial 320-page hardcover appears to date from approximately the 1930s and belongs to the early series of editions featuring Attwell’s distinctive illustrations.

Peter Pan and Wendy follows Peter Pan, Wendy Darling, Tinker Bell and the Lost Boys into the magical world of Neverland, where childhood adventure, pirates, mermaids and fantasy combine with the surprisingly poignant theme of growing up. Barrie’s Peter and Wendy was originally published in 1911, while the first edition illustrated by Mabel Lucie Attwell appeared in 1921.

Peter Pan and Wendy is particularly desirable for its Mabel Lucie Attwell artwork, including charming black-and-white illustrations throughout and a series of colour plates. Attwell’s instantly recognisable children, fairies and fantasy figures give the story an appealing early twentieth-century character quite different from later interpretations of Peter Pan.

The publisher’s original blue-grey pictorial cloth binding is itself highly decorative, with a large illustrated scene to the front board and further decoration to the spine. Despite its considerable faults, Peter Pan and Wendy remains a characterful and collectible vintage copy, particularly suitable for a collector of Peter Pan, J. M. Barrie, Mabel Lucie Attwell, Golden Age illustration or classic British children’s books.

Peter Pan and Wendy Condition – Fair 

This copy has substantial age and use-related defects. Original blue-grey pictorial cloth boards remain present, but they show considerable rubbing, soiling, staining, fading and general surface wear. The front illustration and lettering remain visible but are faded and rubbed. There are several conspicuous marks and stains to the cloth. Corners are heavily bumped, rubbed and frayed, with cloth loss and exposed underlying board particularly noticeable at the extremities. The spine is faded, rubbed and marked, with significant fraying and deterioration at both the head and tail. The cloth is splitting/lifting around the spine ends and adjoining joints. The binding is significantly compromised. The front inner hinge is badly split/open, exposing the underlying binding structure, with separation between the endpaper and text block. The text block remains within the covers but should be handled carefully. The page edges are strongly browned and age-toned. Internally there is widespread foxing, ranging from scattered spotting to heavier foxing, particularly on preliminary leaves and adjoining pages. General age-toning, occasional marks and handling wear are present. There is a previous-owner gift inscription on the front endpaper. At least one internal page also has a pencil scribble/drawing in the margin around page 130. Most importantly, the colour plate on page 77 completely detached from the binding and has significant edge damage, including tears, creasing, chipping and losses. Another illustrated plate shown is substantially following . Other leaves show edge tears and binding stress.