Peter Parley's parting gift to his young friends.
Contributors: Martin, William, 1801-1867.; Weir, Harrison, 1824-1906.; Cruikshank, George, 1792-1878.; Gray, Charles, engraver, d. 1847.; Wall, G. H.; Goodrich, Samuel G. 1793-1860.; Gregory, Collins & Reynolds.
Publisher: Darton and Clark
Published: 1844
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 252
Subjects: Gift books -- Specimens.; Children's literature -- Periodicals.; Boys -- Periodicals.
Genres: Specimens.; Periodicals.
Other titles: Peter Parley's annual; Peter Parley's magazine
Notes: Date based on form of publisher's name and original publication date of stories. Cf. Brown, Philip A. H.  London publishers and printers, 1982.

Consists of selections from the 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 illustrated t.p.

Preliminary colour wood-engraved plate 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.  One each is signed "H. Beavan", "GC" [i.e. George Cruikshank], "C. Gray" 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.  Goodrich also specifically denied authorship of this title. 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 red fine cord-grain cloth blocked in gold and blind; a.e.g.  Upper cover blocked in gold with illustration similar to those within the text.  With light yellow glazed endpapers.  With presentation inscription dated 1859.
Table of contents: value: Tales about Poland; value: Stories of women; value: A chapter on shells; value: The turkey; value: The Knights Templars; value: The alligator; value: The wonders of Egypt; value: The life and adventures of Maturin; value: The two guides: an allegory; value: A chapter on birds / by S. Waring; value: The sailor's orphan; or Phebe Bluff; value: Phebe Bluff; value: Phebe Bluff: conclusion of the old woman's story; value: The old witch of Teddington; value: The Bengal sheep; value: Tales of the civil wars; value: Owls; value: Venice; value: Hallowe'en; value: The Alpine pastor; or, Felix Neff; value: Lions of London; value: Falconers and falconry; value: Lions of London, No. II.