POTTER, Beatrix

“I don’t know what to write to you, so I shall tell you a story about four little rabbits"

We are specialists in the works of Beatrix Potter. Please scroll down to see our current stock of her first editions, signed copies and original paintings.

In September 1893 Beatrix Potter wrote a letter to a little boy called Noel Moore. Noel was the son of her old governess and had been unwell. “I don’t know what to write to you, so I shall tell you a story about four little rabbits” she began.  The Tale of Peter Rabbit was born.  Noel was so delighted with the letter that Beatrix decided to develop it into a little book. She sent her manuscript to many publishers to no avail and therefore resolved to have the book printed herself. By December 1901 she had 250 copies of her book to sell or distribute to friends. In order to keep costs to a minimum the book had a card cover and only one colour illustration. Later that year publisher Frederick Warne agreed to print the book, although they needed to shorten the text a little and asked Miss Potter to provide colour illustrations to accompany the text. The book has never been out of print since its publication in 1902.

Beatrix Potter's works have been translated into many languages and remain as popular today as a century ago.

We are one of the world's leading specialist dealers in the works of Potter and handle many Beatrix Potter first editions, signed copies, manuscripts and original drawings. Her books are notoriously difficult to date as Warne use a dating process which is not easily decipherable.  In most cases first editions note the publisher as "F. Warne & Co." rather than "F. Warne & Co. Ltd." First editions of the books are uncommon and copies in nearly new condition are highly collectable. If you have a Beatrix Potter book you want to know more about read our valuations page. 

Read our blog post on The Tale of Peter Rabbit, first editions, publishing history and how to tell if your copy is a first edition.