R John Wright Peter Cottontail (New)

THE SONG OF PETER COTTONTAIL Here comes Peter Cottontail, Hoppin down the bunny trail, Hippity hoppity, Easters on its way Bringin evry girl and boy, A basketful of Easter joy, Things to make your Easter, Bright and gay Thornton Burgess (1874-1965) was a conservationist and author of childrens stories featuring the wildlife of his native state. He was born in Sandwich, Massachusetts. While growing up he roamed the woods, fields and salt marshes of Cape Cod, where he came to know the birds, animals and plant life well. Later, as a grown man, he told stories about animals and nature to his young son. In 1910, these stories formed the basis for his first book, Old Mother West Wind. Following its success, he wrote a syndicated daily newspaper strip, Bedtime Stories (illustrated by Harrison Cady), which ran uninterupted from 1912 to 1960. Burgess output also comprises over 170 books, among them The Adventures of Peter Cottontail which was first published in 1914. Decades later, he worked on an Easter television special Here Comes Peter Cottontail which featured the familiar song shown above. Today, the Thornton W. Burgess Society continues to carry out the philosophies he instilled in his childrens stories. The Society operates the Green Briar Nature Center and Thornton W. Burgess Museum in Sandwich, Massachusetts, and publishes periodic newsletters and bulletins to inspire reverence for wildlife and concern for the natural environment. Peter Cottontail is constructed of the finest mohair plush and wool felt. He is fully jointed and stands approximately 15" tall. His beautiful, sculptural face and ears have detailed coloration and he features felt-backed glass eyes, a molded felt nose, and inserted whiskers. Peter Cottontail comes holding a springtime bouquet of detailed felt violets and pussywillows made entirely of felt and mohair plush. He also carries a papier mache Easter egg gaily wrapped in paper with silk ribbons. For effortless display, Peter Cottontail features a built-in removable metal stand. Peter Cottontail is produced at the R. John Wright workshop in Bennington, Vermont in an edition limited to 200 pieces. Each will come enclosed in a deluxe RJW presentation box with the accompanying signed and numbered certificate of authenticity and the forms for owner registration