Beatrix Potter — Peter Rabbit’s Book Shelf — 23 Volumes, 1943–1949

Description

An attractive 23-volume Beatrix Potter collection, published by Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd. between 1943 and 1949, retained together in its original purpose-made Peter Rabbit’s Book Shelf.

The wooden shelf is particularly appealing, with its shaped pictorial backboard lettered “Peter Rabbit’s Book Shelf” in green script and centred with an illustration of Peter Rabbit. Designed specifically to hold these Warne editions, it presents the books as they were intended to be displayed and gives the set considerably more visual and collecting interest than a group of the volumes alone.

The collection comprises twenty-three of Beatrix Potter’s best-known titles, including The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin, The Tailor of Gloucester, The Tale of Benjamin Bunny, The Tale of Two Bad Mice, The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher, The Tale of Tom Kitten, The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck, The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies, The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse, The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes, The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse, The Tale of Mr. Tod, The Tale of Pigling Bland, The Tale of Samuel Whiskers, The Tale of the Pie and the Patty-Pan, The Tale of Ginger and Pickles, The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, Cecily Parsley’s Nursery Rhymes, Appley Dapply’s Nursery Rhymes, The Story of Miss Moppet and The Story of a Fierce Bad Rabbit.

Printed between 1943 and 1949, the set represents the wartime and immediate post-war period of Warne’s production of Potter’s enduring children’s classics. The books retain the familiar format and pictorial bindings that made the series immediately recognisable and particularly suited to child readers.

Two of the volumes carry contemporary ownership inscriptions, one dated 1943 and another 1949, providing an attractive period context for a collection which has evidently remained together for many years.

Condition

Very good indeed overall. The covers are slightly rubbed, with minor wear to the corners and edges consistent with age and use but are bright and clean. The Tale of Two Bad Mice has some loss to the head of the spine. The bindings are tight and firm throughout. The pages are generally very nice and clean, with occasional minor marks and some light foxing to the endpapers. Two volumes contain ownership inscriptions, dated 1943 and 1949 respectively. The original wooden bookshelf remains present and retains its decorative shaped backboard and Peter Rabbit illustration. A very wartime presentation of Beatrix Potter’s books.

Bibliographical Details

Author / Illustrator: Beatrix Potter
Title: Peter Rabbit’s Book Shelf
Publisher: Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd.
Place of Publication: London
Dates: 1943–1949
Number of Volumes: 23
Format: 12mo
Illustration: Illustrated throughout
Binding: Original publisher’s pictorial bindings
Display: Original wooden Peter Rabbit bookshelf
Condition: Very good indeed overall

Collecting Interest

Beatrix Potter’s books were issued continuously by Frederick Warne for generations, but surviving period groups retained with their original display furniture are much less commonly encountered than individual volumes.

The shelf itself is central to the appeal of the set. Rather than being a later gathering of unrelated books, it represents the way Potter’s little books were marketed and displayed as a coherent library for children. The combination of 23 contemporary Warne volumes, wartime and immediate post-war printing dates, and the original Peter Rabbit bookshelf makes this a particularly decorative and collectable group.

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At Hornseys, we specialise in carefully selected children’s books, illustrated books and books for readers of all ages, ranging from much-loved classics and collectable first editions to signed copies, finely illustrated works and unusual titles that are increasingly difficult to find. Every book is individually examined, researched and described before being offered for sale.

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