How to tell a first edition, please?

[davidw]

Hello,

I am trying to find a first london edition of Peter and Wendy for a friends birthday. I have found 3 that range from £300-750.

I understand the first edition does not have a date on the title page.

Are there other signs I should look for with a first edition/first impression book, please?

many thanks

[GOSH]

What a great birthday present! The absence of any date whatsoever on the page facing the Contents page is the main sign - there were several reprints in the first month of publication in 1911, which include the line 'Printed in October, 1911' but with the addition of 'First, second or third editions' accordingly. All later editions and reprints also feature a date.

There are 13 illustrations by FD Bedford, including the frontispiece with the image of Peter playing his pipes in 'The Never Never Land' on the facing page. (The first American edition, published by Scribner's has a different facing picture, that of 'Peter Flew In'.)

Hope this helps.