First published edition, first issue with "wept big tears" on p.51. 12mo. Original blue-grey paper covered boards with onlay to upper cover of Peter in his blue jacket. Leaf-patterned endpapers. Illustrated throughout in colour by the author. A fine copy, which is slightly cocked, but otherwise pristine, with remarkably bright boards and no rubbing. Internally perfect, as though unread. The glassine dustwrapper, which shows the printed price of 1/- and fold lines, has a little chipping to the spine ends and corners, just touching the printed price. A few short closed tears to edges with two longer closed tears and associated creasing to the back panel. The glassine remains principally complete and an exceptional survival.

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 compromise 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.
The glassine dustwrappers that were issued with all of Potter's 'little books', were primarily designed to protect the uncoated paper covered boards until the book got to its eventual buyer. Its opacity and fragility meant that it was generally discarded as soon as it was to be read, making the survival of any glassines an uncommon event. Being the earliest and among the rarest of Potter's works, Peter Rabbit is exceptionally rare in its original state. We have handled just one other copy in the last 25 years of actively searching and can trace just one further copy (in a private collection) extant.

Stock ID: 39677