Beatrix Potter — The Tale of Mr. Tod

London, Frederick Warne and Co, 1912 . First edition. Hardback. A lovely example of the beautifully illustrated first edition of this popular Beatrix Potter tale, in which the children of Benjamin Bunny are kidnapped. The first edition, one of the first or second printings which are indistinguishable from one another per Linder, with the dedication reading 'William Francis' rather than the later 'Francis William&apos. Quinby No. 21. 'The Tale of Mr Tod' follows archenemies Tommy Brock the badger and the fox Mr. Tod, after Brock kidnaps the children of Benjamin Bunny and Flopsy, hiding them in the oven of Mr. Tod's house. This tale was the first published in the new larger format in a more elaborate binding, despite Potter's disapproval of the style. Beautifully illustrated in colour in Potter's typical style, with a frontispiece and fourteen colour plates, and monochrome in-text illustrations. Collated, complete. Rebacked, retaining original endpapers. Rebacked, in the publisher's original paper covered boards. Retaining original endpapers. Externally, excellent, with minor light handling marks. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and generally clean, with only the odd light handling mark. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: Beatrix Potter. Very Good Indeed .