Beschreibung:

POTTER, BEATRIX, Illustrator ]. A Happy Pair. By Frederic E. Weatherly. Illustrated by H.B.P. [Helen Beatrix Potter]. London: Hildesheimer & Faulkner, [1890]. 6 chromolithographed illustrations by Potter. Square 12mo, 120 x 102 mm. (4 x 4 in.), original chromolithographed covers illustrated by Potter, stitch bound with tied rose silk cord (with tassels), minor soiling to covers, punched holes a little pulled from cords, slight splitting along folds near spine ends; cloth folding chemise and folding case. FIRST EDITION OF THE FIRST BOOK ILLUSTRATED BY POTTER. V & A 1765; see Laurie Duval, "The Bibliography of Beatrix Potter", In: The Book Collector, Winter 1966, pp. 454-459 (where the V & A copy is described as the only copy known); see Quinby, p. 115. V & A 1765. A fine copy of this very rare item. In her journal for May 1890, Beatrix Potter gives an account of her efforts to have some of her Christmas card designs published, including a visit to Hildesheimer & Faulkner. Her first step was to send six of her designs (featuring Benjamin Bouncer) to Marcus Ward, who shocked her by sending them back by return post. "Following a suggestion from her brother, she sent some of her rabbit drawings to Hildesheimer & Faulkner, a greetings-card publisher, who to her amazement and delight sent her a cheque for 6 by return, with a request for more. The company then made cards from some of her drawings, and others they used as illustrations to a set verses by Frederic E. Weatherly in a booklet called A Happy Pair . At 24 Beatrix had begun her professional career." (Judy Taylor in The Artist and Her World , p.17). See Journal (London, 1966), p. 203-206.