The Tale of the Tales. The Beatrix Potter Ballet
London: Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd., 1971. 1st Edition. Quarto, publisher's puce binder's cloth, spine and upper board gilt, pistachio endpapers, original photo-illustrated dust jacket.
First edition of prolific British author Rumer Godden’s behind-the-scenes account of the 1971 film The Tales of Beatrix Potter. Directed by Reginald Mills, the children's ballet features members of the Royal Ballet performing in animal costumes inspired by Potter’s whimsical world of anthropomorphic animals. Godden’s text covers how the project was conceived and provides insights into the production process while also recounting the stories performed in the film. Illustrated with color and black-and-white film stills, sketches, and storyboards, with costume designs by Christine Edzard, and watercolor illustrations and sketches by Potter herself. Laid in a small archive of postcards and greeting cards bearing Potter's designs addressed to British children's book author Gladys Adshead, best know for her series of Brownie books written from the 1930s to the 70s, as well as a small group of Potter-related clippings. Unclipped dust jacket with minor toning and edgewear, else fine. Item #13681
$50.00