Beatrix Potter The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin, Frederick Warne and Co, First Edition later impression, 1909-10

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter (1866 –1943) in original grey boards, titles to front cover and spine in white and pictorial label with illustration to front cover. Originally released by Frederick Warne & Co in September 1904, this is a later reissue with endpapers dating it to 1909-10. The Flopsy Bunnies were introduced in the lower right-hand corner of the right endpaper to coincide with the publication of The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies in 1909.

There is corner damage to the front-end paper and bumping to the cloth boards. Otherwise in very good condition.

The story originated in 1897 with a picture letter to Noel Moore, and was rewritten in 1901 for Norah Moore. The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin was the first of Potter’s books to feature the introduction of pictorial endpapers, against Potter’s initial inclination, though she conceded that it might work: “I always think that an endpaper ought to be something to rest the eye between the cover and the contents of the book; like a plain mount for a framed drawing. At that same time (having let off my objections) – I dare say it will come out all right.”