Undaunted by multiple publishers' rejections, Potter published the first two private editions of Peter Rabbit at her own expense, both editions totaling only 450 copies which immediately sold. 'My dear Noel,' she began, 'I shall tell you a story about four little rabbits, whose names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter ' The Tale of Peter Rabbit was born.

In 1893, young Beatrix Potter, on holiday with her parents in Scotland, composed a letter to cheer Noel, the child of her former governess, who was suffering from rheumatic fever. Exceptionally scarce, most rare and desirable signed and inscribed. It has now been translated into 45 languages and has sold 45 million copies, making it one of the most successful children's books of all time. a sixth printing was produced within the month,' and a year after the first commercial publication there were 56,470 copies in print. By the middle of 1903 there was a fifth edition sporting colored endpapers. By the year's end there were 28,000 copies of The Tale of Peter Rabbit in print.

Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, 'for Mrs Oliver, fromÂBeatrixÂPotter- with kind regards and best wishes for Christmas 1901.' The book was an instant success: Linda Lear writes that 'Even before the publication of the tale in early October 1902, the first 8,000 copies were sold out. 12 mo, original cloth, illustrated, leaf patterned end-papers. First edition, privately printed by the author (preceding all other editions) one of only 250 copies of this children's classic.

The tale of peter rabbit book