A Bibliography of Unauthorised American Editions of The Tale Of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

Dr John Turner of Aberystwyth University in Wales has had access to six substantial private collections to enable him to compile a detailed record of these unauthorised editions. No such record has existed hitherto. In the Introduction he explains how The Tale of Peter Rabbit was first issued privately in a total of 450 copies by Beatrix Potter and was then published by Frederick Warne in 1902. Obtaining copyright in the USA at that time was fraught with difficulties, particularly for foreign publishers. Warne failed to comply with the formalities and the book entered the public domain in the USA. The book became immediately, and has remained ever since, a huge commercial success throughout the world.

Between 1904 and 1980 (the cut off date for this bibliography) about 80 publishers issued their own versions of the story and the bibliography contains over 300 entries. In many cases the text and/or illustrations did not follow Potter's originals and others were credited as the author and illustrator. Some books are to be regarded as derivatives of the well-known story. Where possible, information is given about the publishers and the relationships between them. Full bibliographical details are given about each book, with variations noted. There are indexes of titles, authors and illustrators.

An essential guide for any devotee of Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit and of illustrators of children's books during this period.

In cloth boards, pp vii, 220, on Amber Preprint 100gsm acid free paper with 8 pages of colour photographs on 115gsm gloss art FSC. Limited to 600 copies. £38/$60

Other new books published by Ian Hodgkins & Co Ltd.
Beatrix Potter: a bibliographical checklist by Jane Quinby, 450 copies £29.50/$45
Beatrix Potter Papers at Hill Top by Leslie Linder, 450 copies £15/$24
Trade terms on all above: 25%. Postage at cost.

They have also issued a free catalogue offering for sale, individually priced, 300 of the above unauthorised American editions of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. 

by Ian Hodgkins & Co Ltd., ABA, PBFA 

1 Clifton Villas, Springfield Rd, Uplands, Stroud, Glos GL5 1TP, UK
Telephone and fax: 01453-755233 e-mail: enquiries@ianhodgkins.com

From Ibookcollector © is published by Rivendale Press.

To Contact Ibookcollector