from great Aunt
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. It is made of paper that has yellowed with age. The Publishing company is the Saalfield Publishing Company. The cover is red with a picture of Peter in color. It is bound by staples.
unknown
Auction House
Maybe
Dear Kathleen,
Thank you for your help and patience.
The presented object appears to be a book with the title "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" written by Beatrix Potter. It was published by The Saalfield Publishing Company, New York. The publishing date is not clear. An early edition book with the date 1916 is offered for 150,- USD. The 49 on the verso side of the cover could also a dating 1949 while the design of the cover would be very old-fashioned.
This piece is in medium condition and there is no serious damage visible in the images provided.
A fair market estimation would be between 40 to 80 USD.
This estimate is based on actual recent past recorded auction sales of comparable items. Retail "asking prices" can be higher and may vary.
With kind regards,
George
I found out most of that information you sent me myself on the web. I'd like to see the early edition that you mention. I am surprised with your dating. Is that how Saalfield commonly dated their books? I feel what makes it unique is the illustrations are by Potter and they are in black and white. There must be some information that shows more about the history of little books like this the company has published and use that to research a more specific date and which might help draw better conclusions about it's publishing and how many books were published. I hope you send me more information that is available for to you as an expert appraiser rather than what I found on the web through my goggling and checking rare book sites. I assumed you could go deeper. Thanks, Kathy
Dear Kathleen,
Thank you for your email and I am sorry that you are not happy with the appraisal. The problem with such smaller publishers is that they are not in the focus of the collectors and also that the archives of such small publishers like Saalfield are usually not researched and accessible. The first trade edition was published by Frederick Warne and Co, London in October 1902. Beatrix Potter published her own book with her own drawings on her own costs in 1901 and 1902. Her drawings are also used for most all later versions and this later Saalfield version. We should keep in mind that this is probably one of the most popular children’s books of all time. The Tale of Peter Rabbit has sold more than 45 million copies over the past century. So there are some versions which are offered on the market but with not that much information.
With kind regards
George
Thank you.
Dear Kathleen,
You are welcome. I hope I answered all your questions and please do not hesitate if you have more.
With kind regards,
George
There is not number indicating the year anywhere.. The only number is on the back of the book where the number 49 is below a black circle that say make in bottom half and Saalfield in black letters going across the center of the circle.