Unique J M Barrie items in anniversary display
Peter Pan's creator is the focus of a month-long display opening on 1 May at the National Library of Scotland.
Letters, first-edition books, plays and theatre programmes are among items being exhibited to mark the 150th anniversary of J M Barrie's birth. Gems from NLS collections include:
- A rare booklet of 'Caught napping', one of Barrie's earliest plays, printed in 1883
- 'Better dead', Barrie's first book
- The first American edition of the novel 'Peter and Wendy' (1911)
- A letter from a six-year-old boy proposing to 'Wendy'
- Two privately printed booklets for Barrie's own amateur cricket club, Allahakbarries
- Large-format cards telling the Peter Pan story in 20 episodes, thought to date from 1914.
James Matthew Barrie (1860-1937) was born in Kirriemuir, Angus. He became a journalist and novelist after graduating from Edinburgh University. Barrie's first full-length play was produced in 1892.
'Peter Pan', first performed in 1904 in London, was an instant success and has been a stage and screen favourite ever since.
Our J M Barrie anniversary display runs from 1-31 May, is free and opens daily. You can also read more in our J M Barrie press release.
16 April 2010