Peter Pan 101

The "magically appearing overnight" statue of the infamous boy from Sir J.M. Barrie's most beloved tale has now seen a myriad of nights since then.  One hundred and one years of them, in fact.

I had a hard time finding it.  By which I mean I'd wanted to just come upon it.  Walking aimlessly amid the magnificence of lush greenery and splashes of color in the Kensington Gardens proved a welcome diversion.  To be in the place where it all happened!  You can wander for hours and not see it all, depending, of course on how much you take in or speed through.  You've been walking forever, thinking where the devil could it be??  And then, just around the bend (it's a cliché, but quite accurate!) it slinks into view from behind the trees.  As it should be -- like flying to the Neverland from London.

That's me there... in "painture."  I'm holding a picture of what Barrie had envisioned for the statue from George Frampton.  But, you can't win them all.  For the record, I'm back to wearing hats.

I've posted further information as well as my opinions of the statue over the years.  But no matter which lens is used, I'll not ever be able to discredit the sheer grandeur of craftsmanship and detail of the statue itself.  But more importantly, nothing will ever diminish the pure magic of the that moment.

Other posts on this date:  2008   2009   2010   2011   2012

Peter Pan is 100 - AGAIN!

Well, folks, another Peter Pan Centennial has arrived!

As of today, the statue of the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up has been drawing visitors to it for 100 years!

Yep, having appeared without warning (as if by magic) as per Barrie's request on this date, it's a testament to the enduring quality of the magnificent character.

Now if only it looked like Barrie's photos instead... but, I'm just being a purist again.  Not meant in any way to slight George Frampton's statue, it's a masterpiece in and of itself.  I know, I had the good fortune to see it in person from every angle.  I spent a good chunk of time there! ;)

For Nearly a Century Now!

It's that date again -

the one on which the statue of Peter Pan 'magically' appeared in Kensington Gardens.

99 years ago.

My how time flies!

To think that I stood next to it, in person, nearly two years ago!  Honestly, where DOES the time go?

This image of it is from our personal collection of London photos, taken by Bart.  As you might expect, he took many shots of it.  To be honest, I requested he do so.  I wanted every aspect captured.  And there sure is a lot packed into it (critters and fairies and such.) 

You can read more about it
(including my 2 cents in other posts):

96 Years Ago Today...

Still Standing...

It's Still There

Peter... is it you?

I just came across this statue and thought I'd share it.

It's in the United Kingdom, at the Sheffield Botanical Gardens (in Sheffield), to be exact.

The bronze statue, cast by Cashmore & Company of London, was deeded to Sheffield in 1934 by Sir Charles Clifford, former owner of The Sheffield Telegraph newspaper and founder of the Sir Charles Clifford Dental Hospital in Sheffield. After the war years, Pan was placed in the Botanical Gardens, gracing the formal, Italianate-style Rose Garden developed in 1953 by the new managers, Sheffield City Council.*

Its official title is
Pan, Spirit of the Woods.
There's some debate, however, as to which Pan it depicts.
Is it Barrie's eternal boy?  Or simply the Greek god?
Many refer to it as Peter, but there's nothing specific to confirm that idea.

 

If you ask me, though, it is the boy who never grew up, since the character does not have the legs of a goat nor horns.

Nice statue indeed. 

 And I cannot help but wonder... is this Solomon Caw?  :)

* Quoted from this page.

It's Still There...

Can't go without mentioning the Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens.
It showed up "by magic" on this date in 1912.
It's a little more special for me now that I have seen it in person. When I mentioned it today, Bart reminisced about the (literal) joy and wonder of having it appear suddenly just around the bend. After walking for hours in the Gardens, soaking in their beauty, wham, there it is unexpectedly. It's an astounding piece of work. Wonderful sculpture indeed. But just not quite "Pan." I've said it before in my other posts.

Still Standing...
96 Years Ago Today...

Still Standing...

By the way, the Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens appeared "as if by magic" on this date in 1912.

You can read a little more about it in my post last year here.

[Just add a year... ;) ]

And to think... I'll be seeing it in person very soon!

I'm excited, despite my not actually liking it all that much.

But the prospect of being next to it is enticing...

He Wanted a Home...We Gave Him Our Hearts

The Endearing Bear from Darkest Peru

As Google will show you, today is the 50th Anniversary of the release of the first book about Paddington Bear. Another one of the literary legends to come out of London.
His creator, Michael Bond, is still with us and in fact just released a new Paddington adventure Paddington Here and Now.

I remember reading at least one of the Paddington Books as a kid. I probably read them all. I had a box set. But I do know he'd been one of my favorite stuffed animals at the very least. Mine even had the rain boots.

Look in the back left of this picture of the bronze statue in Paddington Station. It's a sad sign of the times, no? Well, at least a mythological character is their logo, so maybe it's not such an invasion. Maybe it's a testament to this adorable little critter that he has endured to see such a sign.

So, bravo, Michael Bond. Thanks for one of the cutest bears we know!

*I apologize for the overly sappy title of this post.

96 Years Ago Today...

What happened today 96 years ago?

A statue of Peter Pan appeared "mysteriously" in Kensington Gardens. Barrie commissioned and paid Sir George Frampton to make it. The public did not know that the statue would be coming. It had been installed during the night so that it would surprise people. Barrie wanted it to seem as if it had been put there by the fairies who live in the Gardens.
Barrie also wanted Frampton to use the photographs he took of Michael Davies dressed as Pan as a model/basis. Sadly, though, Frampton ignored his suggestions. As a result, Barrie hated the statue. He said that it did not “show the devil in Peter.” I’ll have to agree with Barrie. It’s a cool statue, but as for it “being” Peter Pan, I will have to say “No.” Just one of Barrie’s disappointments in life regarding his famed creation.