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The Tale of Peter Rabbit: A New Printing from the original line - blocks made for the first (private) edition of 1901 -

by Potter Beatrix


About this book

The Tale of Peter Rabbit is a children's book written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter. The story follows Peter Rabbit, a mischievous and disobedient young rabbit, as he ventures into the garden of farmer Mr. McGregor. The tale was written for five-year-old Noel Moore, son of Potter's former governess, in 1893. It was revised and privately printed by Potter in 1901 after several publishers' rejections but was printed in a trade edition by Frederick Warne & Co. in 1902. 

First Edition Identification

Potter's book was initially rejected by publishers, who were looking for color illustrations. Resisting that idea, Potter paid for 250 copies to be printed at her own expense, which she distributed to family and friends in 1901 and shortly needed to print another 200 copies. 

Frederick Warne & Co reached out to the author (although they were one of the initial rejectors) asking if she would cut some illustrations and add colors - and eventually, a contract was agreed upon. The first 8,000 copies of the trade edition sold out before printing, and by the end of 1902 28,000 copies were in print; a 
year after the first commercial publication there were 56,470 copies in print.

Of the first printing, first edition run there were 2,000 deluxe editions bound in either green or yellow cloth. The rest were bound in brown board.  

Details

  • Title The Tale of Peter Rabbit: A New Printing from the original line - blocks made for the first (private) edition of 1901
  • Author Potter Beatrix
  • Publisher Battledore (New York) 1995
  • ISBN 9780962711053
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The Tale of Peter Rabbit
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The Tale of Peter Rabbit: Set of Fine Art Prints, New impressions from the artist’s original line blocks

by POTTER (Beatrix)

  • Used
  • Paperback
  • Signed
  • first
Condition
Used
Edition
First edition
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780962711053 / 0962711055
Quantity Available
10
Seller
Kingston, New York, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
SGD 683.30
SGD 4.10 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
POTTER (Beatrix): The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Set of Fine Art Prints. New impressions from the artist's original line blocks to illustrate the privately printed first edition (1901). With an introductory essay by Maurice Sendak, letterpress printed as an accompanying booklet designed by Iain Bain and signed by both Bain and Sendak. 12mo., 34 woodblock prints + Introductory booklet; cloth clamshell box. Kingston (NY) 1995. Limited to 250 numbered sets.
After nearly a century, thirty-four of the original line blocks used for the first printing have been located and properly identified. Production and design was organized with Iain Bain working alongside Alecto Historical Editions. Renowned and celebrated author/artist Maurice Sendak has written an original appreciation for this series of prints.
Item Price
SGD 683.30
SGD 4.10 shipping to USA