Books

James Matthew Barrie (2024) Peter Pan, deluxe fine press limited edition, published by Conversation Tree Press. One of only 26 lettered copies of which this is letter W. Signed by illustrator Charles Vess and contributors. The book contains Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens as well as Peter and Wendy. In addition, we include a handwritten letter signed by author J.M. Barrie. Condition: as new and unread. Production details according to the publisher: BINDING hand bound by Ludlow Bookbinders in a Bradel binding with vellum spine and the finest Harmatan and Oakridge leather boards in crimson. The front board is foil stamped in gold with an illustration, title lettering and the names of the author and artist. Inspired by the Deluxe state of the first edition of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, illustrated by Arthur Rackham, Charles Vess new iconic take on the younger Peter sees him riding a swan while accompanied by fairies under the light of the full moon. The spine features the title of the book in gold foil stamping in the typeface Ivory, a late 19th century decorative typeface that was recently digitized. Each character in the typeface is entwined by a unique swash that is blind stamped. For repeating letters (P and E) we've customized the second occurrence of the swash so that all swashes displayed are unique. The edition includes a gold ribbon marker and head and tail bands meticulously sewn in by hand. ILLUSTRATIONS All 9 colour plates are printed giclée using pigmented inks on archival Somerset paper with glassine guards over each. Each Lettered book features a remarque (small illustration) by Charles Vess. PAPER The text block is made of luxurious 145gsm (100lb) handmade paper made to our specifications from the esteemed Velke Losiny paper mill in Czech Republic. In operation since 1596, the mill produces some of the best handmade paper in the world. Each sheet of paper features two watermarks: a fairy drawn by Charles and the Losin logo. Note, each sheet of paper is folded multiple times to form a number of pages, so each page will not have a watermark. The top edge is trimmed and gilded in gold, while the other two edges are untrimmed and retain the paper’s natural deckle from the handmade process. Drawing inspiration from a bird wing pattern, Freya Scott's custom commission for the marbled endpapers has extended the concept to capture a sense of flight, evoking a sense of the airflows and currents that envelop Peter and his Lost Boys as they soar through the air, leaving sprinkles of golden fairy dust in their wake. SIGNATURES The following contributors will all sign the signature page: Charles Vess: Illustrator Dr. Maria Tatar: Author of the Introduction Pat Randle: Printer Binder. MAP PORTFOLIO The Lettered State comes with a portfolio containing double spread maps of Kensington Gardens and Neverland, completely redrawn by Charles. The maps are also bound into the book as fold out prints, as they are in the Deluxe State. The Standard State includes both maps as front and rear endpapers respectively. MAGNESIUM PRINTING PLATE Each Lettered collector will also receive one of the magnesium plates that was used to print a page of this edition of Peter Pan. If the plate contains artwork, the plate will be canceled by drawing a line through it. ENCLOSURE The book, map portfolio, and magnesium printing plate are all housed in a solander box covered in Italian-made Canapetta cotton/linen book cloth in cinnamon. The spine features an inset leather label made of the same crimson Harmatan and Oakridge leather that graces the boards of the book with a gold-stamped drawing of Peter and Wendy by Charles Vess. BOOK SIZE AND DETAILS 170mm x 240mm (6.7″ x 9.5″). First and Fine.

Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens is one of J.M. Barrie's works that features the character Peter Pan, offering a backstory to the beloved 'boy who wouldn't grow up.' Originally part of Barrie's book 'The Little White Bird' (1902), these chapters were later republished as a stand-alone story detailing Peter's adventures in London's famous Kensington Gardens. It's a tale of fantasy that explores themes of childhood innocence and escapism.