Tales of my schoolfellows.
Contributors: Martin, William, 1801-1867.; Gray, Charles, engraver, d. 1847; Goodrich, Samuel G. 1793-1860.; Gregory, Collins & Reynolds.
Publisher: J. S. Lingham
Published: 1852
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 162
Subjects: Children's literature -- Periodicals.; Boys -- Periodicals.
Genres: Periodicals.
Other titles: Tales of my school-fellows.; Peter Parley's annual; Peter Parley's magazine
Notes: T.p. printed within thin black rule border.

"These tales are selected from the popular Magazine and Annual of Peter Parley.  As they are generally such favourites with Boys, the Proprietors thought a selection, at a moderate price, could not fail to be received with joy by many that might not so readily procure them in their complete form and extra price."--Preface.

Consists of selections from "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.

Preliminary colour wood-engraved plate is with signature: "[HA?]".  Others are unsigned.

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 is with signature: "C. Gray".

"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 diamond textured, printed paper-covered boards; a.e. spotted red.  Upper cover printed in gold, black, green, red and blue.  Lower cover printed in black with wood-engraved illustration similar to those within the text.  With pale yellow endpapers.  With ownership inscription: "[Grunel?] E. Alexander".  With ownership inscription: "Ruari McLean".
Table of contents: value: by S. Waring; value: by S. Waring; value: by S. Waring; value: by S. Waring; value: by S. Waring; value: by S. Waring; value: by S. Waring; value: by S. Waring; value: by S. Waring; value: by S. Waring; value: by S. Waring; value: by S. Waring; value: by S. Waring; value: by S. Waring; value: by S. Waring; value: by S. Waring; value: by S. Waring; value: by S. Waring; value: by S. Waring; value: by S. Waring; value: by S. Waring; value: by S. Waring