TALE OF PETER RABBIT by POTTER, BEATRIX

POTTER, BEATRIX. POTTER,BEATRIX. THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT. Battledore Books 1995. This is a magnificnet Portfolio of prints from the original blocks with an appreciation signed by Maurice Sendak. The original first printing of Peter Rabbit was produced in 1901 by Potter herself after efforts at finding a publisher failed. She privately printed 250 copies of Peter Rabbit with a color frontispiece and 42 black line illustrations (including the cover). The blocks for this printing were only used one other time (for the second printing of 200 copies). Now, after nearly a century, the publisher has located 34 of these original blocks and has produced this wonderfully elaborate portfolio, LIMITED TO 250 NUMBERED SETS. Each illustration is printed on fine acid free paper and each has its own enclosure printed with the caption. All are housed in a cloth clamshell case with a leather label. The images are remarkably sharp and clean. Featured before the prints is a 20 page ESSAY BY MAURICE SENDAK - an appreciation of Beatrix Potter. Sendak's admiration for Potter is longstanding and having the association between Sendak - the greatest contemporary author/illustrator and children's book, and Potter - author of one of the greatest literary works for children, couldn't be more significant. It has been printed by letterpress and SIGNED BY SENDAK! Included with this portfolio is a wonderful block print by Potter made from the original zinc line-cut. It is previously unpublished and is a charming woodcut entitled "Come dance a jig, to my Granny's Pig." The print is housed in a printed folder and is accompanied by a descriptive commentary by Ann Hobbs (Curator and the V&A). This is altogether a most wonderful item for anyone who appreciates Beatrix Potter.