[Children's Books]

A VERY FINE COMPLETE SET OF THE PUFFIN 70th ANNIVERSARY "DESIGNER CLASSICS" (Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women; Dahl, Roald. James and the Giant Peach; Dickens, Charles. Oliver Twist; Hodgson Burnett, Frances. The Secret Garden; Stephenson, Robert Louis. Treasure Island; Verne, Jules. Around the World in Eighty Days). Puffin Classics, 2010, each numbered from an edition of 1000 copies, in custom binding designed by a noted artist or designer, housed in individual publisher's acrylic slipcase; together with 37 others, 8vo and smaller, original cloth and wrappers, many with Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire's bookplate, some spines perished and extremities of boards worn (43)

Condition is as described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Puffin imprint, Orla Keily, Frank Gehry, Peter Blake, Lauren Child, Anthony Gormley and David Adjaye each created a new design for the binding of a classic children's book, each of which were issued in a special limited edition of 1,000 copies. 

This lot also includes a group of Beatrix Potter's "Peter Rabbit Books", reissued in 1987, which the Duchess frequently named as her favourite books.