![POTTER, Beatrix (1866-1943). The Tailor of Gloucester. London: Frederick Warne & Co., Ltd, "Copyright 1903" on verso of title [but later]. 16°. Half title, coloured frontispiece and 26 plates by Beatrix Potter (some light mainly marginal thumb soiling). Original grey paper boards lettered in white with mounted coloured pictorial label on upper cover (spine a little discoloured, some light rubbing, light stain to lower cover). Provenance: Edmund Passy (childish pencil signature on title and annotation to front free endpapers and final blanks). cf. Linder p.423; Osborne I, 381; Quinby 4.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2007/CSK/2007_CSK_05328_0066_000(031926).jpg?w=1)
Details
POTTER, Beatrix (1866-1943). The Tailor of Gloucester. London: Frederick Warne & Co., Ltd, "Copyright 1903" on verso of title [but later]. 16°. Half title, coloured frontispiece and 26 plates by Beatrix Potter (some light mainly marginal thumb soiling). Original grey paper boards lettered in white with mounted coloured pictorial label on upper cover (spine a little discoloured, some light rubbing, light stain to lower cover). Provenance: Edmund Passy (childish pencil signature on title and annotation to front free endpapers and final blanks). cf. Linder p.423; Osborne I, 381; Quinby 4.
PRESENTATION COPY, the front free endpaper inscribed, "To Edmund Passy, love from Peter Rabbit and Beatrix Potter, squirrel Nutkin and old Mr Brown, May 5, 27." Tipped-in at the front is a one-page autograph letter from Beatrix Potter on paper headed in blind "Sawrey, Ambleside", and dated May 3, 27, stating: "Dear Mrs Orr, I am glad to write my (untidy!) signature in the book, the Tailor is my own favourite - I expect young Edmund - after the first plunge into the chilly waters of school life - will find plenty of interest in games, and leave off picture books for a bit. Then he will return to his old affection for Peter Rabbit and the others; at least that is my experience with children. There is a stage when they think picture books babyish; but the books seem to appeal to older people as well; and many a fine strong man has been 'brought up' with Peter. It has been published some 25 years. I wish I could supply further books to satisfy 'Betsy'; the trouble is to do the pictures, they tire my eyes so much. The Miss Potters are wonderful indeed, they seemed so frail in health years ago; and still they go on doing good. I remain with kind regards yrs sincerely 'Beatrix Potter', H. B. Heelis." Loosely-inserted is a small slip of lined paper signed four times "Beatrix Potter" and some photographs relating to the book's provenance.
PRESENTATION COPY, the front free endpaper inscribed, "To Edmund Passy, love from Peter Rabbit and Beatrix Potter, squirrel Nutkin and old Mr Brown, May 5, 27." Tipped-in at the front is a one-page autograph letter from Beatrix Potter on paper headed in blind "Sawrey, Ambleside", and dated May 3, 27, stating: "Dear Mrs Orr, I am glad to write my (untidy!) signature in the book, the Tailor is my own favourite - I expect young Edmund - after the first plunge into the chilly waters of school life - will find plenty of interest in games, and leave off picture books for a bit. Then he will return to his old affection for Peter Rabbit and the others; at least that is my experience with children. There is a stage when they think picture books babyish; but the books seem to appeal to older people as well; and many a fine strong man has been 'brought up' with Peter. It has been published some 25 years. I wish I could supply further books to satisfy 'Betsy'; the trouble is to do the pictures, they tire my eyes so much. The Miss Potters are wonderful indeed, they seemed so frail in health years ago; and still they go on doing good. I remain with kind regards yrs sincerely 'Beatrix Potter', H. B. Heelis." Loosely-inserted is a small slip of lined paper signed four times "Beatrix Potter" and some photographs relating to the book's provenance.
Special notice
No VAT on hammer price or buyer's premium.