Potter, Beatrix

[The Tailor of Gloucester]. [Privately Printed for the Author, December 1902], 16mo, FIRST EDITION [LIMITED TO 500 COPIES], PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR ("For Miss Owen | from 'Beatrix Potter' | (Beatrix Heelis) | Jan 25th [19]17 | 1st edition, privately - | 1902?"), 6 (of 16) coloured illustrations by Beatrix Potter, 5 loose plates loosely inserted, original pictorial pink boards, lacking first two leaves (title-page and dedication), lacking 10 plates, some browning, binding soiled; The Story of Miss Moppet. Frederick Warne and Co., Ltd., [c.1932], 16mo, later impression, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR ("For Jean | with love from Cousin B. | July 30th [19]32"), 15 coloured illustrations by Beatrix Potter, original boards, contents disbound, binding worn and soiled, lower joint split, lacking foot of spine (2)

Condition is described in 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."

It is likely the recipient of The Tailor of Gloucester was Rebecca Owen of whom Potter wrote to Fruing Warne in 1921 "…we have an American neighbour and friend near Hawkshead, who has proved to us that Americans can be 'educated and literary'…" (see Beatrix Potter's Letters, p. 269). When Miss Owen died in 1939 Potter "was faced with clearing the garden and sorting through everything in the house" (see Judy Taylor, Beatrix Potter’s Letters, p. 396). The missing plates have, mostly, been excised leaving obvious stubs. Of the five loose plates only one is a duplicate of a plate present in the book. All the loose plates have additional decorative borders in pencil and ink. It is assumed these embellishments are not by Potter. Given that Potter could not, apparently, remember that date of publication it seems likely this copy was lacking the title-page at the time of presentation. The recipient of The Story of Miss Moppet was Jean Duke, the daughter of Kenneth and Stephanie Duke (née Hyde-Parker).