Books

Frederick Warne and Co: London, 1902. First Trade Edition. Near Fine. First commercially published edition, first printing. Bound in publisher's gray boards with pictorial label on front cover lettered in silver. With all first issue points present, "wept big tears" for shed on p. 51, "dot" in the "o" on the cover and spine, self portrait of Potter as Mrs. MacGregor holding the rabbit pie on p. 14. Near Fine with light wear, minor foxing to and charming gift inscription on front free end paper. Moderate offsetting to versos of flyleaves, several hinges slightly over-opened. A lovely copy of this enduring children's classic. Quinby No.2.

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.

For The Tale of Peter Rabbit, a first edition can be determined by its smaller size, the lack of 'Ltd.' after the Frederick Warne & Co publishing company name on the title page, and the date of 1902 printed on the title page.