41 B a u m a n R a r e B o o k s The Highly Prized Peter Pan In Kensington Gardens, Illustrated And Signed By Arthur Rackham 46. (RACKHAM, Arthur) BARRIE, J.M. Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. London, 1906. Quarto, original full pictorial vellum gilt, custom slipcase. $9500. Signed limited first separate edition, one of only 500 copies signed by Rackham, with 50 mounted color illustrations. The first name of Barrie’s most famous character “came from Peter Llewelyn Davies, who when still a baby became the subject of stories told by Barrie to [Peter’s older brothers]. According to these stories Peter, like all babies, had once been a bird and could still fly out of his nursery window and back to Kensington Gardens… From these stories came the ‘Peter Pan’ chapters in The Little White Bird [1902], afterwards re-issued with Arthur Rackham illustrations as Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens” (Carpenter, 177). This version of Peter Pan was the inspiration for Barrie’s later Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up—which was written in part due to the positive public response to the character. “The 50 color plates were unanimously praised by all who saw them” (Dalby, 76). The book—with which the “gift book” genre originated (Eyre, 41)—established Rackham’s worldwide reputation and remains “his acknowledged masterpiece” (Ray, 204, 206). “A much-sought-after volume” (Quayle, 87). Mounted plates bound together at the end of the text, as often. Without silk ties. Latimore & Haskell, 27. Contemporary owner gift inscription. Small ink stain to rear endpapers, text and plates generally lovely and fine, minor staining to vellum boards. An attractive copy.
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