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The Tale of Peter Rabbit
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The Tale of Peter Rabbit Hardcover - 2002

by Beatrix Potter

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the publication of "The Tales of Peter Rabbit," all 23 of Beatrix Potter's original tales are now available in these special editions, which take the very first printings of Potter's works as their guide, and introduces favorite characters to a new generation. Full-color illustrations.


About this book

The Tale of Peter Rabbit is a children's book written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter. The story follows Peter Rabbit, a mischievous and disobedient young rabbit, as he ventures into the garden of farmer Mr. McGregor. The tale was written for five-year-old Noel Moore, son of Potter's former governess, in 1893. It was revised and privately printed by Potter in 1901 after several publishers' rejections but was printed in a trade edition by Frederick Warne & Co. in 1902. 

Summary

2002 marks the 100th anniversary of one of the best-loved children's books of all time. Since 1902, over 40 million copies of The Tale of Peter Rabbit have been sold worldwide, in more than 35 languages. Recently, it was named the second best-selling children's book of all time by Publishers Weekly.

From the publisher

The Tale of Peter Rabbit is the original classic by Beatrix Potter. The Tale of Peter Rabbit was first published by Frederick Warne in 1902 and endures as Beatrix Potter's most popular and well-loved tale. It tells the story of a very mischievous rabbit and the trouble he encounters in Mr McGregor's vegetable garden! Re-originated in 2002 to mark the centenary of publication bringing it closer to the original edition, six illustrations were restored, four that were removed in 1903 to make room for endpapers and two that have never been used before, Beatrix having initially prepared more illustrations than could be accommodated in the original format. Beatrix Potter is regarded as one of the world's best-loved children's authors of all time. From her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, published by Frederick Warne in 1902, she went on to create a series of stories based around animal characters including Mrs. Tiggy-winkle, Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddle-duck, Mr. Jeremy Fisher and Tom Kitten. Her humorous, lively tales and beautiful illustrations have become a natural part of childhood. With revenue from the sales of her books, Beatrix Potter bought a farm - Hill Top - in the English Lake District, where she later became a farmer and prize-winning sheep breeder. She launched the now vast merchandise programme by patenting the very first Peter Rabbit doll in 1903. The product range continues to grow today with licences around the world including baby clothing and bedding, nursery decor products and collectables. Upon her death, Beatrix Potter left 14 farms and over 4000 acres of Lake District farmland to the National Trust so that the place that she loved would remain undeveloped and protected for future generations to enjoy. Today Beatrix Potter's original 23 tales are still published by Frederick Warne, alongside a wide range of other formats including baby books, activity books and gift and sound books. The Tale of Peter Rabbit is number one in Beatrix Potter's series of 23 little books. Look out for the rest! 1 The Tale of Peter Rabbit 2 The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin 3 The Tailor of Gloucester 4 The Tale of Benjamin Bunny 5 The Tale of Two Bad Mice 6 The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle 7 The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher 8 The Tale of Tom Kitten 9 The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck 10 The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies 11 The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse 12 The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes 13 The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse 14 The Tale of Mr. Tod 15 The Tale of Pigling Bland 16 The Tale of Samuel Whiskers 17 The Tale of The Pie and the Patty-Pan 18 The Tale of Ginger and Pickles 19 The Tale of Little Pig Robinson 20 The Story of a Fierce Bad Rabbit 21 The Story of Miss Moppet 22 Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes 23 Cecily Parsley's Nursery Rhymes

First line

ONCE UPON A TIME there were four little Rabbits, and their names were opsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter.

First Edition Identification

Potter's book was initially rejected by publishers, who were looking for color illustrations. Resisting that idea, Potter paid for 250 copies to be printed at her own expense, which she distributed to family and friends in 1901 and shortly needed to print another 200 copies. 

Frederick Warne & Co reached out to the author (although they were one of the initial rejectors) asking if she would cut some illustrations and add colors - and eventually, a contract was agreed upon. The first 8,000 copies of the trade edition sold out before printing, and by the end of 1902 28,000 copies were in print; a 
year after the first commercial publication there were 56,470 copies in print.

Of the first printing, first edition run there were 2,000 deluxe editions bound in either green or yellow cloth. The rest were bound in brown board.  

Details

  • Title The Tale of Peter Rabbit
  • Author Beatrix Potter
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition Original
  • Pages 72
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Warne Frederick & Company, New York, New York, U.S.A.
  • Date 2002-09-16
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Dust Cover, Illustrated
  • ISBN 9780723247708 / 0723247706
  • Weight 0.28 lbs (0.13 kg)
  • Dimensions 5.86 x 4.12 x 0.45 in (14.88 x 10.46 x 1.14 cm)
  • Ages 03 to 07 years
  • Grade levels P - 2
  • Reading level 660
  • Library of Congress subjects Rabbits, Peter Rabbit (Fictitious character)
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

Excerpt

Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were - Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter. They lived with their Mother in a sand-bank, underneath the root of a very big fir-tree.

About the author

Beatrix Potter loved the countryside and spent much of her childhood drawing and studying animals. The Tale of Peter Rabbit, published in 1902, was her first book, expanded from an illustrated letter she had sent to a young friend. Beatrix Potter went on to publish more than 20 tales and collections of rhymes.
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The Tale of Peter Rabbit
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The Tale of Peter Rabbit

by Potter, Beatrix

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The Tale of Peter Rabbit
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The Tale of Peter Rabbit

by Potter, Beatrix

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The Tale of Peter Rabbit
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The Tale of Peter Rabbit

by Potter, Beatrix

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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The Tale of Peter Rabbit
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The Tale of Peter Rabbit

by Potter, Beatrix

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  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780723247708 / 0723247706
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Warne, 2002-09-16. Hardcover. Acceptable. 4x0x5.
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The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

by Potter, Beatrix

  • Used
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  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780723247708 / 0723247706
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Warne, 2002-09-16. Hardcover. Good. 4x0x5.
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The Tale of Peter Rabbit
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The Tale of Peter Rabbit

by Potter, Beatrix

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  • Hardcover
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780723247708 / 0723247706
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Warne, 2002-09-16. Hardcover. Good. 5x4x0.
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The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

by Potter, Beatrix

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780723247708 / 0723247706
Quantity Available
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Warne, 2002-09-16. Hardcover. Acceptable. 4x0x5.
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$5.15
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The Tale of Peter Rabbit

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

by Beatrix Potter

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780723247708 / 0723247706
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Penguin Young Readers Group, 2002. Hardcover. Acceptable. Disclaimer:Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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The Tale of Peter Rabbit

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

by Beatrix Potter

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780723247708 / 0723247706
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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Description:
Penguin Young Readers Group, 2002. Hardcover. Acceptable. Missing dust jacket; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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$5.99
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