POTTER, Beatrix (1866-1943). The Tailor of Gloucester. [London: privately printed,] December 1902.

Christmas presentation copy of the privately printed first edition of Beatrix Potter’s second book, inscribed on the front free endpaper: “To Miss Thorp / from Beatrix Potter / Dec 24 ’02.” One of 500 copies. The Tailor of Gloucester was Beatrix Potter’s favorite among her own books. She preferred this privately printed edition to Warne’s because it contained more of the old rhymes. Linder, p. 420; Quinby 3 (2, this copy).

12mo. Color frontispiece and 15 color plates by Beatrix Potter (occasional finger soiling). Original pictorial pink boards with rounded spine (well-rubbed, spine very worn, text block cracked before title and tender elsewhere). Provenance: [Theresa] Thorp (presentation inscription) – Harry Bacon Collamore, noted Potter collector of Hartford, Connecticut (bookplate).