The Story of A Fierce Bad Rabbit

5C Beatrix Potter, Frederick Warne & Co., 1906. First Edition.

Notes

Beatrix Potter’s The Story of a Fierce Bad Rabbit was originally published in 1906 in a unique accordion-style (panorama) format, one of only two of her works released this way (the other being The Story of Miss Moppet). This format consisted of a single long strip of paper folded concertina-style into a small wallet-like case, designed to unfold into a continuous sequence of illustrations and text.

Potter created this version specifically for very young children, with the intention of offering a simple, tactile, and visually engaging experience. The story itself is short and direct: a naughty rabbit steals another rabbit’s carrot and scratches him, but soon gets a comeuppance when a hunter mistakes him for game and shoots at him—blowing off his tail and whiskers. The moral is clear and neatly wrapped in a few pages.

While the panorama format was innovative, it proved fragile and impractical—easily torn by small hands and difficult to refold neatly. Due to this, it was soon reissued in the traditional small book format that matched Potter’s other “little books.” Nonetheless, the original accordion version is a fascinating example of early 20th-century children’s publishing and remains a collector's item today.

Description

Green cloth binding with inlaid paper illustration and dark green lettering and designs on the upper flap. Tab intact. Lavender marbling on the interiors with faded inscription and white lettering on interior boards. Accordion style fully intact. Charming illustrations throughout. Some minimal discoloration along the exterior of the book. Very fine condition for the age and rarity of the item.