Peter Parley's juvenile tales for boys and girls.
Contributors: Martin, William, 1801-1867.; Weir, Harrison, 1824-1906.; Gray, Charles, engraver, d. 1847.; Landells, Ebenezer, 1808-1860.; Wall, G. H.; Goodrich, Samuel G. 1793-1860.; Gregory, Collins & Reynolds.
Publisher: Darton & Co.
Published: 1845
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 196
Subjects: Gift books -- Specimens.; Children's literature -- Periodicals.; Boys -- Periodicals.
Genres: Specimens.; Periodicals.
Other titles: Parley's Juvenile tales; Peter Parley's annual; Peter Parley's magazine
Notes: Date based on form of publisher's name.  Cf. Brown, Philip A. H.  London publishers and printers, 1982.

T.p. printed within thin black rule border.

Added colour wood-engraved illustrated t.p.

"Encouraged by the favourable reception of the previous selections that have been made from Peter Parley's Annuals, the Publishers have selected from a late volume some of its most attractive and interesting contents, and now present them in a form, which, it is hoped, will be equally successful."--Preface.

Consists of selections from the 1842, 1843 and 1844 editions of "Peter Parley's annual: a Christmas and New Year's present for young people", a series published under various imprints from 1840-1892 that consisted of bound volumes of the monthly numbers of "Peter Parley's Magazine", which began publication in 1839 under the imprint of Darton and Clark.  William Martin edited several numbers of the "Magazine".  Cf. Darton, F. J. Harvey.  Children's books in England, 1982.

Colour wood-engraved plates include some areas printed in colour with metal.  One is with signature: "H. Weir Del.".

According to Ruari McLean, colour plates were possibly printed by Gregory, Collins and Reynolds.  Cf. His notes at the Massey College Library.

Most wood-engraved illustrations within the text are unsigned.  Two are signed as engraved by C. Gray and one each is signed as engraved by Landells and G. H. Wall.

"Peter Parley's annual" is believed to be the earliest boy's annual published in Britain.  Cf. McLean, Ruari.  Victorian book design and colour printing, 1972.

The American author S. C. Goodrich claimed exclusive rights to the pseudonym "Peter Parley" and quarreled with its use by both British and American publishers for works of which he denies authorship and for bogus re-workings of his writings under the Parley name.  He also objected to the use of the pseudonym for "Peter Parley's annual", the authorship of which he bears no responsibility.  Cf. Goodrich, S. G. Recollections of a lifetime, 1967.

Faxon, F. W. Literary annuals, p. 108.

St. John, Judith. Osborne collection of early children's books, Vol. 1, p. 406.

Cf. Darton, F. J. Harvey.  Children's books in England, p. 221-228.

McLean, Ruari.  Victorian book design and colour printing, p. 40, 42, 47-48, 58, 62, 192.

Goodrich, S. G. Recollections of a lifetime, v. 2, p. 296.

MASS copy: Bound in white paper-covered boards printed in gold and black.  Covers printed in black with wood-engraved illustrations similar to those within the text and decorative border incorporating title in gold.  With light yellow painted endpapers.  With bookseller's label: "J. Younghusband,  Bookseller & Stationer. 10, Eversholt St.,  Oakley Square".  With ownership inscription: "Florence Porter".
Table of contents: value: Wonders of vision; value: The flying fox; value: Something about eagles; value: The tower; value: Simple electrical machines; value: Old Christmas; value: Swimming; value: Tales about Poland; value: Stories of women; value: A chapter on shells; value: A Christmas song; value: The turkey; value: The sailor's orphan; or Phebe Bluff; value: The old witch of Teddington; value: The Bengal sheep; value: Tales of the civil wars; value: Owls.