Q: I read with great interest your page on the history of the Tale of Peter Rabbit and related pages. I found an old edition among my father’s papers that I want to keep it but my brother wants to sell. I’m frankly hoping it isn’t that valuable so we can keep it. May I ask if I’ve dated it correctly? I’ve attached scans.

Your wonderfully informative pages suggest that it’s a late version of the 3rd edition. The title page doesn’t mention “Wee Books” or “Wee Books for Wee Folks”, just “Peter Rabbit Series”. The endpaper art suggests this is an edition from between 1926 and 1931. This would fit as my father was born in 1921 (his name is neatly written into the “This Book Belongs to…” box). It has no “Wee Books” info on the reverse cover, but rather has four pages appended after the page with “The End” listing the entire “Wee Books” series.

I attach scans of the cover, the endpaper art, the title page and the first of the closing “Wee Books” promotional pages.

If I’m correct, I’d guess is that this edition isn’t worth all that much on the rare books market and is more to be treasured for its sentimental value to the family. I’d appreciate your confirmation.

A: These “Wee” Altemus book can be dated relatively easily and you have done so. The endpapers can give a quick range. The grey ones here were used between 1926 and 1931.

For more info see: Henry Altemus Company – Wee Folks Peter Rabbit Series 189

You are correct about the value. The book has little monetary value since it is so common. The exception would be if it had the dust jacket.

An example is shown below.