Potter, A Happy Pair, [1890], the author's first published book

P[OTTER], H[ELEN] B[EATRIX]--WEATHERLY, FREDERIC E.

A Happy Pair. London: Hildesheimer and Faulkner / New York: Geo. C. Whitney, [1890]

16mo, first and only edition, 6 chromolithographed illustrations each signed "H.B.P." together with upper wrapper design (repeated from the text) by Beatrix Potter, original pictorial wrappers, gilt edges, tied with light blue silk cord, some light spotting and browning, wrappers slightly soiled, spine worn with loss, spine split at head and foot, loss of one tassle

The first published book to include illustrations by Beatrix Potter. A rare volume and thought to survive in only a very limited number of copies.

The author of the verses, Frederic Weatherly, has been described by Taylor, Whalley, Hobbs and Battrick as "a prolific writer of doggerel". This slender volume pre-dates Potter's Peter Rabbit by over a decade.

LITERATURE:

V&A 1765; Taylor pp.51-52; Taylor, Whalley, Hobbs and Battrick p.17 and p.57; Journal pp.211-214

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