Now published by Wisehouse Classics, this is the unabridged Anniversary
Edition of the original 1911 published novel "Peter and Wendy" (or
"Peter Pan") with the original therteen illustrations by F. D.
Bedford.
"Peter and Wendy" or "Peter Pan" is J. M. Barrie's most famous work, in
the form of a 1904 play and a 1911 novel. Both versions tell the story
of Peter Pan, a mischievous yet innocent little boy who can fly, and has
many adventures on the island of Neverland that is inhabited by
mermaids, fairies, Native Americans and pirates. The Peter Pan stories
also involve the characters Wendy Darling and her two brothers, Peter's
fairy Tinker Bell, the Lost Boys, and the pirate Captain Hook. The play
and novel were inspired by Barrie's friendship with the Llewelyn Davies
family. Barrie continued to revise the play for years after its debut
until publication of the play script in 1928. The play debuted in London
on 27 December 1904 with Nina Boucicault, daughter of playwright Dion
Boucicault, in the title role. A Broadway production was mounted in 1905
starring Maude Adams. It was later revived with such actresses as
Marilyn Miller and Eva Le Gallienne. The play has since been adapted as
a pantomime, stage musical, a television special, and several films,
including a 1924 silent film, the 1953 Disney animated film, and a 2003
live action production. In the U.S., the original version has also been
supplanted in popularity by the 1954 musical version, which became
popular on television. The novel was first published in 1911 by Hodder &
Stoughton in the United Kingdom, and Charles Scribner's Sons in the
United States. The original book contains a frontispiece and 11
half-tone plates by artist F. D. Bedford. The novel was first abridged
by May Byron in 1915, with Barrie's permission, and published under the
title Peter Pan and Wendy, the first time this form was used. This
version was later illustrated by Mabel Lucie Attwell in 1921. In 1929,
Barrie gave the copyright of the Peter Pan works to Great Ormond Street
Hospital, a children's hospital in London.
