Beschreibung:

Potter (Beatrix). The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck, 1st edition, London: Warne, 1908, front free endpaper inscribed by author 'for Miss Hammond with love from Beatrix Potter Sept 30th 08', half-title, colour frontispiece, 26 colour illustrations, scarce light finger-soiling, pictorial endpapers, front hinge cracked, stitching a little strained, original grey boards, extremities minimally rubbed, loss at foot of spine, 16mo (Qty: 1) Linder p.427; Quinby 14. Miss Flora ('Florrie') Hammond was Beatrix Potter's first (and apparently favourite) governess, hired when her younger brother Walter Bertram was born. Miss Hammond taught Beatrix reading, writing and arithmetic, and also painting and drawing, recognising Beatrix's artistic potential and encouraging the young girl to explore the world around her. It was Miss Hammond who suggested to Mr. and Mrs. Potter that an art tutor was hired to give their daughter formal drawing and painting lessons. After leaving the family, Beatrix and Miss Hammond continued to correspond and occasionally Beatrix visited her old governess. Presentation copies inscribed by Beatrix Potter in the year of publication are rare.