1921 Rare First Edition - Peter Rabbit and the Fairies by Alma & Richard Hudson
Author: Alma Hudson. Illustrated by Richard Hudson.
Title: Peter Rabbit and the Fairies.
Publisher: New York, Cupples & Leon Company, 1921. First Edition.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 6 x 5 inches.
Pages: 48 pages.
Binding: Attractive and very good original illustrated red hardcover binding (hinges fine, binding bright and sound, light wear and rubbing as shown) in a good original dust jacket (small tears, chips, creases and edge wear, particularly at the corners and spine ends, as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover.
Content: Good to very good content. Bright, tight and complete. Pages generally clean with only occasional light signs of use. Small light stain affecting the top corner of a few leaves near the end of the volume, as shown, otherwise a pleasing copy.
Illustrations: Complete with 8 charming full-page color illustrations by Richard Hudson together with numerous delightful black-and-white illustrations throughout the text.
Estimate: (USD $150–200).
The book: A scarce and charming children's fantasy featuring the beloved Peter Rabbit in an entirely new adventure beyond the world created by Beatrix Potter. Published in 1921 as part of Cupples & Leon's "Peter Rabbit Series," this delightful tale imagines the mischievous young rabbit encountering a magical kingdom inhabited by fairies, elves, and enchanted woodland creatures.
The story begins when Peter, unable to resist one last adventure before bedtime, wanders into Fairyland where he meets a fairy queen and a host of whimsical characters. Combining the familiar appeal of Peter Rabbit with the enduring fascination of fairy lore, the book reflects the enormous popularity of both Beatrix Potter's creations and fairy stories during the early twentieth century.
Particularly desirable in its original dust jacket, Peter Rabbit and the Fairies remains an appealing example of the richly illustrated juvenile books produced during the golden age of American children's publishing. Copies retaining the fragile dust jacket are increasingly difficult to locate.
The author: Alma Hudson was an American writer of children's literature active during the early decades of the twentieth century. She is best remembered for her series of Peter Rabbit adventures published by Cupples & Leon. Her stories expanded upon the familiar rabbit character, introducing him to imaginative settings filled with fantasy, adventure, and gentle moral lessons designed to delight young readers.
The illustrator: Richard Hudson provided both the color plates and black-and-white illustrations for the Peter Rabbit series written by Alma Hudson. His artwork captures the warmth and innocence of early twentieth-century children's books, blending anthropomorphic animal characters with fairy-tale imagery. The illustrations are notable for their bright colors, simple decorative style, and enduring appeal to collectors of vintage juvenile literature.