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POTTER, Beatrix.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
First edition, first impression, an exceptional copy, one of only 250 copies issued privately by Potter, preceding the reprint of February 1902 and the first trade edition of October the same year. Peter Rabbit originated in September 1893 as one of a series of illustrated letters Potter sent to the children of her last governess. Rejected by a number of publishers, The Tale of Peter Rabbit was issued privately by Potter herself on 16 December 1901, in an edition of 250 copies, all the illustrations but the frontispiece in black and white. "Potter's books have become classics of children's literature, with their sharp prose, their strong story lines, and their exquisite, freshly painted, and beautifully observed pictures" (ODNB).
Sextodecimo. Original grey paper boards, decoration and titles to upper board in black. Custom blue cloth slipcase and chemise. Coloured frontispiece and 41 text illustrations after pen and ink drawings. Provenance: Justin Schiller copy (Christie's NY, 16 Dec. 2004), with his book label. A fine copy.
