The Tale of Benjamin Bunny. Early Printing - 14 Double Blanks (28 Versos)

Sextodecimo (16mo). Original tan paper-covered boards with dark green lettering and the classic oval pictorial color illustration pasted to the front cover. Features the early decorated endpapers displaying the initial set of Beatrix Potter characters (including Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin, and the Tailor of Gloucester). A highly desirable characteristic of this authentic early edition is the presence of the correct fourteen separate double-blank page openings spread sequentially throughout the numbered text block. This distinct layout is a hallmark of Frederick Warne & Co.’s early 20th-century printing process, where full-color watercolor plates were meticulously printed on one side of the paper sheets only to prevent ink bleed-through. The presence of these intact blank page pairings confirms that the book retains its original Edwardian pagination structure, distinguishing it from later, compressed modern reprints and providing excellent material evidence of its early heritage. Internally Very Good; the text block remains remarkably clean, bright, and tightly bound. Pages are free from heavy foxing, child scribbles, tears, or major blemishes. Externally Fair to Good; the original paper spine strip is completely perished/worn away, exposing the structural binding mesh beneath. Board corners and edges show heavy rubbing and exposure of the underlying card stock. Front and back covers show light surface smudging but the color onlay remains clear and vibrant. A wonderful, authentic early collector's copy of Potter's classic tale. Please view the images for more information. …