Books

First edition, first impression. The book was intended by the publishers to be the start of a new series of almanacs to emulate Kate Greenaway's series. However, Potter felt that the design was not successful and announced in May 1927 that "I know one thing; it is the first, and the last" (Letters, p. 305). Sextodecimo. Original buff paper boards, lettered in brown to spine and covers, covers with pictorial labels, illustrated endpapers. Frontispiece, title page and 12 illustrations printed in colour, together with black and white decorative borders, all by Potter. Minor tear at head of spine, some light consistent browning, trace of pencil marks to front free endpaper: a very good copy. Linder, p. 431. Judy Taylor, Beatrix Potter's Letters, 2001.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit is a children's book written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter that follows mischievous and disobedient young Peter Rabbit as he is chased about the garden of Mr. McGregor. He escapes and returns home to his mother, who puts him to bed after dosing him with tea. The tale was written for five-year-old Noel Moore, son of Potter's former governess Annie Carter Moore, in 1893. It was revised and privately printed by Potter in 1901 after several publishers' rejections, but it was printed in a trade edition by Frederick Warne & Co. in 1902. The book was a success, and multiple reprints were issued in the years immediately following its debut. It has been reprinted multiple times since then and is regarded as one of the most iconic children's books.