The Tale of Peter Rabbit was privately printed by Beatrix Potter in December 1901 (250 copies, followed by a second private printing of 200 copies in February 1902) and published commercially by Frederick Warne & Co. in October 1902. It has since sold over 45 million copies in thirty-five languages and is, by virtually any measure, the most successful and influential picture book in the English language. The story began as a picture letter Potter wrote in 1893 to Noel Moore, the son of her former governess: “My dear Noel, I don’t know what to write to you, so I shall tell you a story about four little rabbits whose names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Peter.”
The Book
“Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were — Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter.” Peter’s mother warns him not to go into Mr. McGregor’s garden — his father was put in a pie there. Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail gather blackberries. Peter goes straight to the garden. He eats too many lettuces, is spotted by Mr. McGregor, loses his shoes and his blue jacket, hides in a watering can full of cold water, and barely escapes through a gap in the gate. He goes to bed without supper while his well-behaved sisters feast on bread, milk, and blackberries.
The genius is in what Potter does NOT do. She does not moralize. She does not explain. She does not protect Peter from consequences. He disobeys, he suffers, he escapes — and the narrator maintains a cool, observational tone throughout. The illustrations — Potter’s own watercolors, painted from her pet rabbit Benjamin Bouncer and from the gardens of the Lake District — are as precise as botanical drawings and as warm as family portraits.
The Private Printings
The privately printed first edition (December 1901) was produced after Frederick Warne initially rejected the manuscript. Potter paid for 250 copies herself, bound in flat gray-green boards with a frontispiece of Mrs. Rabbit giving Peter chamomile tea. A second private printing of 200 copies followed in February 1902. These 450 copies are among the most valuable children’s books in existence.
Collecting The Tale of Peter Rabbit
First private printing (December 1901): 250 copies. Flat gray-green boards, frontispiece in black and white. “1901” on title page.
Market values:
- First private printing, fine: $100,000–$250,000
- Second private printing (February 1902): $30,000–$80,000
- Copies from either printing in any condition: $10,000+
First trade edition (Frederick Warne & Co., London, October 1902): Gray boards with mounted color illustration on front. Full-color illustrations throughout (the private printings had only a single color frontispiece).
- First trade edition, fine in original boards: $10,000–$30,000
- Very good: $3,000–$10,000
- Good: $1,000–$3,000
Identification points for the first trade edition:
- “1902” on title page
- Frederick Warne & Co. imprint
- Flat-spine binding (later printings have rounded spines)
- Mounted color plate on front board
The private printings are among the rarest and most expensive children’s books in the world. The first trade edition, while more available, commands extraordinary prices in fine condition. Potter signed very few copies, and any signed Potter is essentially priceless.