J O N K E R S R A R E B O O K S
POTTER, Beatrix THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT Warne, 1902 [45521] First published edition, first issue with “wept big tears” on p.51. 12mo. Original dark brown paper covered boards lettered in white with pictorial onlay to upper cover of Peter in his blue jacket. Leaf-patterned endpapers. Illus- trated throughout in colour by the author. A near fine copy, with an early ownership name to the front endpaper and very slight surface wear to the spine ends and joints. In- ternally fresh and tight. An unusually well preserved copy. $12,500 Originally conceived in 1893 in the form of a letter with pictures to cheer up an ill child, Beatrix Potter developed the story of Peter Rabbit into a book for publication in 1901. She sent her manuscript to at least six publishers only to have it refused by each of them, so made the decision to publish the book herself whilst continuing the search for a publisher who would issue the book in accordance with her wishes. In the end Frederick Warne & Co. agreed to publish the book but Potter was forced to com-
proof’s illustrations for the first spread of text. The published version also sees a change to font of the publisher’s name on the title page, to match the font used for the January section page.
promise by having all the illustrations in colour. In order to achieve this, eleven of the illustrations were removed and the text was edited. Some of the text which was removed for the published edition was later used in The Tale of Benjamin Bunny (1904). The book was an instant success and has never been out of print since publication. It is now regarded as one of the cornerstones of children’s literature. Its popularity and fragility mean that very few copies of the first edition have survived in collectable condition. SIGNED BY BEATRIX POTTER POTTER, Beatrix PETER RABBIT’S ALMANAC F. Warne & Co. Ltd., 1929 [45489] First edition. 12mo. Beige paper boards with lettering in brown, and colour onlays of Peter delivering the mail on the covers. In - scribed by Beatrix Potter to the front endpaper, “For Mrs McIv - er, from Beatrix Potter, Aug. 23.29.” Pictorial endpapers of little bunnies. Colour frontispiece of Peter Rabbit, colour title page vi - gnette. Twelve colour plates, one for each month, with a separate page for the calendar surrounded by line drawings of bunnies. A
POTTER, Beatrix “Squintina Tabby Licenced dealer in Tea” An Original Illustration [c.1895] [46502] 145x190mm. Original grisaille pen and wash, heightened with white watercolour on paper. Signed HBP to the lower right cor- ner. Fine condition, with just a few light marks to the unpainted margin . $56,000 A fine, unusually large and detailed watercolour, depicting Squintina Tabby, knitting at the entrance to her tea room, looking severely at a cou - ple of frolicsome young kittens peering in at the window. The drawing is based upon a photographic postcard of a teashop in Whit- by and the titular cat possibly modelled on one owned by Potter’s uncle and aunt who they called Squintina. Potter’s proficient use of greyscale and highlight brings a sense of reality and palpable humour to the piece. A simplified engraving of this piece was reproduced in the 1896 Nister annual, Comical Customers.
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