The Tale of Peter Rabbit

London: Frederick Warne and Co, 1902. First edition. Hardback. Very Good Indeed. 5.5" by 4.5". Beatrix Potter. A first edition, one of the first three printings of Beatrix Potter's long-lasting charming tale of the young and naughty Peter Rabbit. The first edition, early printing of this work, being one of the first three printings which were indistinguishable from one another; with 'wept big tears' to page 51, no date to the title page, plain leaf patterned paste downs and endpapers, and with a singular dot to the 'o' in the title to the spine and front board.Illustrated with a colour frontispiece, and thirty colour plates.Curiously misbound with the frontispiece for 'The Tale of Benjamin Bunny', rather than the original frontispice for 'Peter Rabbit'. Otherwise, all plates are present. One of the most popular children's works ever published, 'Peter Rabbit' follows the mischievous and disobedient young bunny as he falls into trouble with Mr. McGregor. Written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter. In the original publisher's paper covered boards. Externally, smart. A little rubbing to the boards and spine. Very light bumping to the head and tail of the spine and to the extremities. A couple of very small spots to the image to the front board. Hinges are repaired. A touch of discolouration to the endpapers. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean with a few lightly handling marks. Tape repair to the gutter between the half-title and frontispice, and between pages 8 and 9. Child's neat pencil inscription to the reverse of the half-title. Repaired tear to the margin of page 27. Small patch of wear to the margin of page 29. Very Good Indeed