About the Artwork

This beautiful range of Official Collector’s Edition Prints has been created to mark the 120th anniversary The Tale of Peter Rabbit, a story that has delighted countless generations of children. Each print has been meticulously created from newly commissioned scans of Beatrix Potter's original watercolour illustrations which are preserved in the archive of her publisher Frederick Warne and Co. Each print is presented with the original quotation from Warne’s first 1902 edition.

The story of naughty Peter Rabbit in Mr. McGregor’s garden first appeared in a picture letter Beatrix Potter wrote to Noel Moore, the young son of her former governess, in 1893. Encouraged by her success in having some greeting card designs published, Beatrix remembered the letter seven years later, and expanded it into a little picture book, with black-and-white illustrations. It was rejected by several publishers, so Beatrix had it printed herself, to give to family and friends. About this time, Frederick Warne agreed to publish the tale if the author would supply coloured pictures, and the book finally appeared in 1902, priced at one shilling (5p). It was an instant success and has remained so ever since.