WAG-BY-WALL

1944. With Decorations by J.J. Lankes. Boston: The Horn Book, 1944. Original light brown buckram printed in red, with front cover plate, with dust jacket.

First American Edition. This edition, and Warne's UK edition, were published shortly after this tale's first appearance in the 20th Anniversary Number of The Horn Book (Boston, May 1944). Although Beatrix Potter did not write WAG-BY-WALL itself until 1940-1943, its roots went way back: in 1909 she had originally conceived of the tale (involving a singing kettle and "Wag-by-wall," a magical clock), with a working title of THE LITTLE BLACK KETTLE. She re-wrote it in 1929 (as "Wag-by-the-Wa'") for inclusion in THE FAIRY CARAVAN -- but it was left out, so more than a decade later, she revised it yet again for The Horn Book. She completed it in the autumn of 1943, but agreed with The Horn Book to hold it for their anniversary issue -- which unfortunately turned it into a posthumous publication, as she died three days before Christmas 1943. (Thus the signature under the author's frontispiece portrait was not actually effected by her!) This volume is in fine condition; the dust jacket is very good-plus, with a few short tears and very minor soil. Linder pp 328-335 and p. 432; Quinby No. 32.