Beatrix Potter collection
- Repository
- Free Library of Philadelphia: Rare Book Department
- Call Number
- FLP.RBD.POTTER
- Creator
- Free Library of Philadelphia.
- Title
- Beatrix Potter collection
- Date [bulk]
- Bulk, 1900-1943
- Date [inclusive]
- 1884-2004
- Extent
- 40.64 Linear feet
- Language
- English
- Abstract
- This collection consists of material created by or about the children’s author and illustrator Beatrix Potter. It contains correspondence, original artwork, manuscripts, collectibles, research material, and ephemera collected by the Free Library of Philadelphia.
- Cite as
- [Description and date of item], [Box and folder number OR call number], Beatrix Potter collection, 1884-2004, Free Library of Philadelphia, Rare Book Department.
Beatrix Potter was an English author and illustrator known for her children's books, most famously The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902). She was born on July 30, 1866 to a well-to-do family in London, but the family often spent summers at country estates in the highlands of Scotland and in the Lake District. It was during these vacations that she and her brother, Bertram, were able to explore and study nature. She was especially interested in fungi and her observations led her to develop a theory on the germination of fungal spores. Because she was an amateur (and a woman), her paper on the subject had to be presented to the Linnean Society in 1897 by George Massee. Potter was an avid lover of animals and would often draw the rabbits, mice, lizards, and dogs she had as pets. She kept journals and drawing notebooks, developing the artistic and writing styles later reflected in his children's books.
In the early 1890s she sold some illustrations for use in greeting cards, but her focus was still on natural history. She also wrote elaborate picture letters to children of friends and family. They were just a hobby until she decided to turn one of the letters into a children’s book. After expanding on a story about a mischievous rabbit begun in a letter to Noel Moore, she approached six different publishers, all of whom rejected it. She then published her own edition. Although the publisher Frederick Warne was one of the publishers who had rejected the original manuscript, he reconsidered when he saw the privately printed edition, and agreed to publish it if Potter would redo the black and white illustrations in color. In 1902 The Tale of Peter Rabbit was published by Warne to great success. This was followed by twenty-two more books in "The Tales" series. The first merchandising of the Peter Rabbit characters began when Potter came out with a Peter Rabbit doll in 1903.
In 1905 she bought Hill Top Farm near Sawrey. It became her sanctuary where she would go to paint, write, and run a farm. Then in 1909 she bought Castle Farm, the farm across from Hill Top, planning to preserve the Lake District from development. She was encouraged in these endeavors by William Heelis, a local solicitor, whom she married in 1913. She also purchased a sheep farm called Troutbeck Park in 1923, becoming an avid and successful breeder of Herdwick sheep.
In addition to her preservation work, she continued writing books into the 1930s. The final volume of the twenty-three Tales was The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, published in 1930. Her most autobiographical work, The Fairy Caravan, takes place in the Lake District and follows the adventures of a young guinea pig who runs away from home to join a travelling circus. It was published in 1929 in America but not made available in England until 1952. She illustrated all of her own books, with the exception of Sister Anne (1932), her retelling of the legend of Bluebeard.
Beatrix Potter died from pneumonia and heart disease on December 22, 1943, leaving almost all of her property and much of her art to the National Trust. The estate covered 4,000 acres and included cottages, herds of Herdwick sheep, and cattle spread across sixteen different farms. This donation was the largest gift to the National Trust at the time and allowed for the preservation of lands now in the Lake District National Park and the establishment of the Beatrix Potter Gallery in the Lake District.
Bibliography
"About Beatrix Potter," The Beatrix Potter Society, accessed January 3, 2011, http://www.beatrixpottersociety.org.uk/files/aboutbp.html.
Taylor, Judy. Beatrix Potter Artist, Storyteller and Countrywoman. London: Penguin Group, 1986.
This collection contains artwork, collectibles, correspondence, manuscripts, photographs, and reference materials by or relating to children’s author and illustrator Beatrix Potter, dating from 1884-2004.
The majority of the correspondence is written by Beatrix Potter except for six letters written by members of her friends and family. Some of the correspondence concerns publishing matters relating to books Potter wrote, particularly those addressed to Alexander McKay. There are also many personal letters and greeting cards written to friends, with those to Marian Frazer Harris Perry of particular interest because they describe Potter’s thoughts and experiences living in the English countryside during the early years of World War II. Marian Frazer Harris Perry was the widow of James DeWolf Perry, rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. She was one of Beatrix Potter’s American visitors who became a very good friend and frequent correspondent. The collection contains over 50 of her letters from Beatrix Potter, most given by Mrs. Perry’s niece, Mrs. Richard Stevens.
The artwork consists of many pieces that were published in The Tailor of Gloucester and The Tale of Little Pig Robinson. Her fascination with wild flora and fauna is represented by landscapes and studies of butterflies, cats, and other animals. Manuscripts include full drafts of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson and The Tailor of Gloucester, as well as some items related to The Tale of Pigling Bland and How to Lose Furry Friends. Most of the collectibles consist of figurines, puzzles, and stationery. Reference materials include information from Potter exhibitions and clippings and periodicals about Beatrix Potter.
The hundreds of published volumes in the Beeatrix Potter collection are not included in this finding aid, but are available through the Library's main catalog.
This collection is arranged into six series: I. Artwork; II. Correspondence; III. Manuscripts; IV. Photographs; V. Collectibles and ephemera; VI. Reference materials. Series I and Series IV are arranged chronologically, with undated materials placed at the end of the series. All other series are arranged alphabetically.
- Publication Information:
-
Free Library of Philadelphia: Rare Book Department
- Finding Aid Author:
-
Finding aid prepared by Garrett Boos
- Sponsor:
-
The processing of this collection was made possible through generous funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, administered through the Council on Library and Information Resources’ “Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives” Project.
- Access Restrictions:
-
This collection is open for research use.
- Use Restrictions:
-
The right of access to material does not imply the right of publication. Permission for reprinting, reproduction, or extensive quotation from the rare books, manuscripts, prints, or drawings must be obtained through written application, stating the use to be made of the material. The reader bears the responsibility for any possible infringement of copyright laws in the publication of such material. A reproduction fee will be charged if the material is to be reproduced in a commercial publication.
- Immediate Source of Acquisition:
-
The majority of this collection was purchased by the Free Library from dealers, with some materials given to the Free Library by donors. For more information on specific acquisitions, please contact the Rare Book Department.
Corporate Name(s)
- Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
- Beswick (Firm).
- Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
- David McKay Company.
- Ford Motor Company.
- Frederick Warne (Firm).
- Hildesheimer and Faulkner.
- Invalid Children’s Aid Nationwide.
- Milton Bradley Company.
- Saml. Gabriel Sons & Company.
- Correspondence
- Drawings (visual works)
- Ephemera
- Figurines
- Greeting cards
- Illustrations
- Jigsaw puzzles
- Manuscripts
- Photographs
- Sketches
- Watercolors (paintings)
- Cady, Harrison, 1877-1970
- Collamore, Harry Bacon
- Heelis, Aday
- Heelis, Sylvie
- Keane, Bil, 1922-2011
- McKay, Alexander
- McKay, David
- McKay, Jean
- Moore, Winifrede
- Perry, Marian Frazer Harris
- Potter, Beatrix, 1866-1943
- Potter, Rupert, 1832-1914
- Potter, W. B. (Walter Bertram), 1872-1918
- Shaffer, Ellen, 1904-
- Stevens, Elizabeth H.
- Stevens, Richard K. (Richard Kingsbury), 1901-
- Warne, Amelia
- Warne, Minnie
- Children's authors--20th century
- Children's literature--20th century
- Illustrated children's books--20th century
- Illustration of books--20th century
- Women artists, English--20th century.
- Women authors--Great Britain
- World War, 1939-1945
| Date | Call-Number | Box | Folder | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artwork | ||||
| Watercolor of lizard, 1 page | 1885 | RBD BP ART 27 |
||
| Pencil studies of a horse in harness, 2 pages | 1886 January 28 | RBD BP ART 17 |
||
| Pen and ink and pencil studies of horses and birds, 2 pages | 1886 March | RBD BP ART 26 |
||
| "Jumping spider," watercolor | 1886 May | RBD BP ART 106 |
||
| "Watercolors of newts, female and male," 2 items | 1886 May | RBD BP ART 28 |
||
| "Electra pilosa, magnified," watercolor | 1886 November 19 | RBD BP ART 86 |
||
| Pen and ink and pencil studies of cows, 2 pages Recto of sheet has two studies of single cow and one study of group of four cows.
Verso has one study of cow's head and one fragmentary pencil sketch.
|
1886 December | RBD BP ART 21 |
||
| Pen and ink and watercolor studies of bats, 1 page | 1887 April 7 | RBD BP ART 99 |
||
| Watercolor and pen and ink studies of a beetle, 1 page | 1887 December | RBD BP ART 97 |
||
| Pen and ink studies of cows and buttercups, 2 pages Recto of sheet has two studies of cow's head and one cow reclining; verso has sketch
of buttercups.
|
1888 July 6 | RBD BP ART 29 |
||
| Pastel and pencil studies of a duck, 1 page | 1889 February 11 | RBD BP ART 20 |
||
| "Fawe Park," sepia ink and watercolor, 1 page | circa 1890 | RBD BP ART 41 |
||
| Pen and ink and pencil drawing of dog, with hills in the background, 1 page | 1890 April | RBD BP ART 14 |
||
| "Coniston Old Hall, Lancashire, from nature," chalk and pencil, 1 page | 1890 | RBD BP ART 90 |
||
| Watercolor of a parrot, 1 page | 1890 | RBD BP ART 60 |
||
| Sphinx ligustri, 1 lithograph | circa 1890-1899 | RBD BP ART 96 |
||
| "Bedwell Lodge, Hertfordshire," pencil, 1 page with note | 1891 October 4 | RBD BP ART 47 |
||
| Pencil drawing of fireplace, 1 page | 1891 October | RBD BP ART 30 |
||
| Pen and ink, pencil, and watercolor drawing of a scene from "Little Red Riding Hood," 1 page | 1894 August | RBD BP ART 45 |
||
| "Bunnies in the snow," watercolor, 2 pages Painting on recto depicts one bunny pulling the other in a sled; verso depicts sled
overturned and bunnies in the snow. Used as a greeting card.
|
1894 | RBD BP ART 10a |
||
| "The yellow dwarf," pencil and watercolor with note, 1 page | 1895 January | RBD BP ART 23 |
||
| Lithograph of fungi, insects, and animals, 2 prints | 1896 April | RBD BP ART 81-82 |
||
| Preliminary sketch for page 74 of The Tailor of Gloucester, pencil, 1 page | 1897 May | RBD BP ART 58 |
||
| "Sleeping Beauty, the Prince coming into the courtyard of the Palace," watercolor, 1 page | 1898 June | RBD BP ART 93 |
||
| Preliminary sketch for "The little dog in the acorn, from The White Cat," pen and ink and pencil, 1 page with note | 1898 August | RBD BP ART 25 |
||
| "The little dog in the acorn, from The White Cat," pen and ink, pencil, and watercolor, 1 page | 1898 August | RBD BP ART 24 |
||
| "Sleeping Beauty, the old woman with the spindle," pen and ink and watercolor, 1 page Smaller pen and ink drawing tipped on.
|
1899 February | RBD BP ART 92 |
||
| "Studies of a cock's head from nature," pencil and watercolor, 1 page | 1899 August | RBD BP ART 79 |
||
| Landscape with farm, etching, 1 page | 1899 | RBD BP ART 61 |
||
| "Winchelsea," pencil and watercolor, 1 page | 1900 January 25 | RBD BP ART 88 |
||
| The China Shepherdess from Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales," pen and ink with watercolor tipped in, 1 page | 1900 April | RBD BP ART 80 |
||
| Pencil and watercolor studies of pigeons, 1 page | 1900 May 6 | RBD BP ART 68 |
||
| Pencil and watercolor studies of a fireplace, 1 page | 1900 September 27 | RBD BP ART 38 |
||
| Pen and ink and pencil sketches of cows and ducks, 2 pages Recto has pen and ink and pencil sketch of cows in a yard on top; studies of cow and
cow's hind legs on bottom. Verso has pencil sketch of cow wading in water with ducks
in the foreground.
|
1901 April 5 | RBD BP ART 62 |
||
| Pen and ink drawing for illustration accompanying the original manuscript of
The Tailor of Gloucester, depicting slip of paper with pin through it, and text "no
more twist!," 1 page Presentation letter accompanying manuscript dated Christmas 1901.
The Tailor of Gloucester was originally printed privately by Beatrix Potter, December 1902. Published by Frederick
Warne and Co., 1903. Image redrawn for Warne first edition as part of the illustration
on page 81. Does not appear in privately printed edition.
|
circa 1901 | RBD BP ART TG2 |
||
| Pen and ink, pencil, and watercolor for illustration accompanying the original manuscript
of
The Tailor of Gloucester, depicting a lady mouse curtseying in front of a teacup,
1 page Image redrawn in same form for both editions: appears on page 21 of privately printed
edition and page 32 of Warne first edition.
|
circa 1901 | RBD BP ART TG5 |
||
| Pen and ink, pencil, and watercolor for illustration accompanying the original manuscript
of
The Tailor of Gloucester, depicting rats dancing, 1 page Image redrawn for privately printed edition, page 51. Does not appear in Warne editions.
Inscription in Beatrix Potter's hand, below corresponding illustration in library's
copy 4 of privately printed edition: "not included in the later editions!!?"
|
circa 1901 | RBD BP ART TG10 |
||
| Pen and ink, pencil, and watercolor for illustration accompanying the original manuscript
of
The Tailor of Gloucester, depicting Simpkin coming through doorway, 1 page Image redrawn in same form for both editions: appears on page 32 of privately printed
edition; appears on page 41 of Warne first edition.
|
circa 1901 | RBD BP ART TG7 |
||
| Pen and ink, pencil, and watercolor for illustration accompanying the original manuscript
of
The Tailor of Gloucester, depicting Simpkin listening at the trap-door of the Golden
Candle, 1 page This image did not appear in either edition.
|
circa 1901 | RBD BP ART TG11 |
||
| Pen and ink, pencil, and watercolor for illustration accompanying the original manuscript
of
The Tailor of Gloucester, depicting Simpkin looking in shop window at mice, 1 page Image redrawn in same form for both editions: appears on page 75 of privately printed
edition; appears on page 65 of Warne first edition.
|
circa 1901 | RBD BP ART TG13 |
||
| Pen and ink, pencil, and watercolor for illustration accompanying the original manuscript
of
The Tailor of Gloucester, depicting Simpkin walking in the snow, 1 page Image redrawn in much different form for Warne first edition, page 53. Similar illustration
does not appear in privately printed edition.
|
circa 1901 | RBD BP ART TG9 |
||
| Pen and ink, pencil, and watercolor for illustration accompanying the original manuscript
of
The Tailor of Gloucester, depicting Simpkin walking to the lighted window of the tailor's
shop, 1 page Image redrawn in same form for both editions: appears on page 64 of privately printed
edition; appears on page 59 of Warne first edition.
|
circa 1901 | RBD BP ART TG12 |
||
| Pen and ink, pencil, and watercolor for illustration accompanying the original manuscript
of
The Tailor of Gloucester, depicting tailor in bed with Simpkin watching, 1 page Image redrawn in same form for both editions: appears on page 38 of privately printed
edition; appears on page 50 of Warne first edition.
|
circa 1901 | RBD BP ART TG8 |
||
| Pen and ink, pencil, and watercolor for illustration accompanying the original manuscript
of
The Tailor of Gloucester, depicting tailor sewing at a window, 1 page Image redrawn for Warne edition; appears on page 8 of first edition. Does not appear
in privately printed edition.
|
circa 1901 | RBD BP ART TG1 |
||
| Pen and ink, pencil, and watercolor for illustration accompanying the original manuscript
of
The Tailor of Gloucester, depicting tailor sitting in front of a fireplace, 1 page Image redrawn for privately printed edition, page 15. Image redrawn in much different
form for Warne first edition, page 26.
|
circa 1901 | RBD BP ART TG4 |
||
| Pen and ink, pencil, and watercolor for illustration accompanying the original manuscript
of
The Tailor of Gloucester, depicting the Mayor of Gloucester and his bride, 1 page Image redrawn in same form for both editions: appears on page 9 of privately printed
edition; appears as frontispiece of Warne first edition.
|
circa 1901 | RBD BP ART TG3 |
||
| Pen and ink, pencil, and watercolor for illustration accompanying the original manuscript
of
The Tailor of Gloucester, depicting the tailor at the dresser, 1 page Image redrawn for privately printed edition, page 27. Image redrawn in much different
form for Warne first edition, page 29.
|
circa 1901 | RBD BP ART TG6 |
||
| Preliminary sketch for page 53 of The Tailor of Gloucester, pencil, 1 page | circa 1902 | RBD BP ART 59 |
||
| "Sleeping Beauty, The Briar Rose," pencil and watercolor, 1 page Smaller watercolor tipped on.
|
1902 January | RBD BP ART 84 |
||
| Endpaper proof for The Tailor of Gloucester, 1 page | 1903 | 4 |
1 |
|
| "Landscape of garden steps, with carnations," pen and ink and watercolor, 1 page This drawing appears as background for drawing on page 53 of the first edition of
The Tale of Benjamin Bunny.
|
1903 July 31 | RBD BP ART 72 |
||
| "Weir surrounded by grass," pencil and watercolor, 1 page | 1904 June 26 | RBD BP ART 76 |
||
| "Portinscale Bridge," pencil and sepia ink, 1 page | 1904 September 19 | RBD BP ART 83 |
||
| "Portinscale Bridge & Skiddaw," pencil and sepia ink, 1 page | 1904 September 19 | RBD BP ART 91 |
||
| "Studies from a dead stoat," pencil and watercolor, 1 page | 1907 November | RBD BP ART 75 |
||
| Pencil and watercolor studies of a dead stoat, 1 page | 1907 November | RBD BP ART 74 |
||
| Preliminary sketch for page 43 of The Roly-poly Pudding, pencil and sepia ink, 1 page with note | circa 1908 | RBD BP ART 9 |
||
| Preliminary sketch for page 69 of The Roly-poly Pudding, pen and ink, 1 page | circa 1908 | RBD BP ART 7 |
||
| "Dead guillemot," pencil and watercolor, 2 pages Recto has one view of bird; verso has different view.
|
1909 February | RBD BP ART 102 |
||
| "Landscape of garden path," pencil and watercolor, 1 page | 1909 September 23 | RBD BP ART 37 |
||
| "Landscape with clearing in a wood," pencil and watercolor, 1 page | 1909 November 16 | RBD BP ART 66 |
||
| "Landscape of a path through a wood," pencil and watercolor, 1 page | 1909 November 24 | RBD BP ART 19 |
||
| "A hen house," watercolor, 1 page | 1910 August | RBD BP ART 71 |
||
| Pencil and watercolor landscape and study, 2 pages Recto is pencil and watercolor landscape; verso is pencil study of a dog.
|
1911 January 23 | RBD BP ART 49 |
||
| "Esthwaite Low grounds," pencil and watercolor, 1 page | 1911 February 4 | RBD BP ART 33 |
||
| "Landscape with hills in the distance," pencil and watercolor, 1 page | 1912 May 16 | RBD BP ART 18 |
||
| "Gwaynynog, Denbighshire," pencil and watercolor, 1 page | 1912 May | RBD BP ART 63 |
||
| Pencil and watercolor studies of a hen, 1 page | 1912 December 12 | RBD BP ART 46 |
||
| Preliminary sketch for frontispiece of The Tale of Mr. Tod, pencil, 1 page | circa 1912 | RBD BP ART 22 |
||
| Preliminary sketch for page 8 of The Tale of Mr. Tod, pencil and sepia ink, 1 page | circa 1912 | RBD BP ART 16 |
||
| Preliminary sketch for page 47 of The Tale of Mr. Tod, pencil and sepia ink, 1 page | circa 1912 | RBD BP ART 15 |
||
| Preliminary sketch for page 62 of The Tale of Mr. Tod, pencil, 1 page | circa 1912 | RBD BP ART 4 |
||
| Preliminary sketch for page 79 of The Tale of Mr. Tod, pencil, 1 page | circa 1912 | RBD BP ART 6 |
||
| "Denbigh Castle," pencil and watercolor, 1 page | 1913 May | RBD BP ART 36 |
||
| Illustration proof, "Peter Rabbit: he says the ocean waves are all right but when it comes to sound waves 'oh boy,'" 1 page | 1922 June 18 | 3 |
2 |
|
| Pencil and sepia ink caricature of Beatrix Potter and a pig, 1 page | circa 1924 | RBD BP ART 54 |
||
| Pencil studies and photographs used for
The Fairy Caravan, 10 items Pencil studies of a dog believed to be Kiltie, owned by Margaret Hammond, Potter's
neighbor in the Lake District. Kiltie was the model for "Sandy" in
The Fairy Caravan. Accompanied by a signed postcard addressed to Miss Hammond, a greeting card with
a Potter illustration, and seven photographs used as models for drawings in
The Fairy Caravan.
|
circa 1928 | RBD BP ART 108 |
||
| Preliminary sketch for page 14 of The Fairy Caravan, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1929 | RBD BP ART 31 |
||
| Preliminary illustration for endpapers of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR25 |
||
| Illustration for page 1 of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR1 |
||
| Illustration for page 4 of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR2 |
||
| Illustration for page 18 of
The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page Also appears on front paste-down of both the Warne first edition and the McKay American
edition.
|
circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR3 |
||
| Illustration for page 19 of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR4 |
||
| Illustration for page 27 of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR5 |
||
| Illustration for page 29 of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR6 |
||
| Illustration for page 34 of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR7 |
||
| Illustration for page 35 of
The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page Pen and ink and pencil; unsigned and undated. Inscription in lower left: "Chapter
III." Inscription in lower center: "This is drawn on a larger scale by mistake, Chapter
III." Inscribed with printer's notations.
The Tale of Little Pig Robinson originally published in 1930 by David McKay Company, Philadelphia, and Frederick
Warne & Co., Ltd., London and New York. This illustration appears on page 35 of the
McKay edition.
|
circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR8 |
||
| Illustration for page 47 of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR9 |
||
| Illustration for page 51 of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR10 |
||
| Illustration for page 54 of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR11 |
||
| Illustration for page 55 of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR12 |
||
| Illustration for page 57 of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR13 |
||
| Illustration for page 72 of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR14 |
||
| Illustration for page 77 of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR15 |
||
| Illustration for page 83 of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR16 |
||
| Illustration for page 87 of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR17 |
||
| Illustration for page 89 of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR18 |
||
| Illustration for page 90 of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR19 |
||
| Illustration for page 99 of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR20 |
||
| Illustration for page 109 of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR21 |
||
| Illustration for page 135 of The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR24 |
||
| Illustration for page 110 of
The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page Also appears on back free endpaper of both the Warne first edition and the McKay American
edition.
|
circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR22 |
||
| Illustration for page 111 of
The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page Also appears on front free endpaper of both the Warne first edition and the McKay
American edition.
|
circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR23 |
||
| Unpublished illustration for The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR29 |
||
| Unpublished illustration for The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR26 |
||
| Unpublished illustration for The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR27 |
||
| Unpublished illustration for The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, pen and ink and pencil, 1 page | circa 1930 | RBD BP ART LPR28 |
||
| "Bison," pencil study, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 3 |
||
| "Cabbage butterflies," pen and ink and watercolor studies, 1 page with note | undated | RBD BP ART 95 |
||
| "The Cobb, Lyme Regis," pencil and sepia ink, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 89 |
||
| Etching of a garden and house, possibly after Alfred Parsons, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 5 |
||
| "A faithful friend," pencil, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 25a |
||
| "Fleur-de-lis," pencil and watercolor, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 94 |
||
| "Garden scene with geraniums," pencil and watercolor, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 70 |
||
| "Head of a squirrel, dead specimen," ink wash and pencil, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 2 |
||
| "Hen blackbird, drawn from nature," watercolor, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 35 |
||
| "Jumping spider," watercolor, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 101 |
||
| "The Lady Eliot," pencil, sepia ink, and watercolor, 1 page Inscription below drawing: "From the drawing by Hans Holbein, Copy, Engraved by Bartolozzi."
|
undated | RBD BP ART 87 |
||
| "Landscape of garden," pencil, sepia ink, and watercolor, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 67 |
||
| Pen and ink and pencil sketch of a cow, reclining, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 12 |
||
| Pen and ink and pencil sketch of a cow, standing, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 11 |
||
| Pen and ink, pencil, and watercolor drawing of a scene from "Little Red Riding Hood," 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 43 |
||
| Pen and ink and watercolor studies of moths, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 100 |
||
| Pencil drawing of rabbit asleep in a box, 1 page with note | undated | RBD BP ART 10 |
||
| Pencil and sepia ink drawing of a garden path, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 85 |
||
| Pencil sketch of the head of a sleeping rabbit, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 8 |
||
| Pencil studies of animals, 2 pages Recto has sketches of dogs, foxes, a bison, and guinea pigs; verso has sketches of
foxes and wild boar.
|
undated | RBD BP ART 65 |
||
| Pencil studies of cats, 2 pages Recto and verso each have numerous sketches of cats.
|
undated | RBD BP ART 77 |
||
| Pencil studies of cats and a study of a landscape, 2 pages Recto has studies of cats and cat heads; verso has pencil sketch of rural landscape
at top and studies of ducks and cat heads on bottom.
|
undated | RBD BP ART 64 |
||
| Pencil studies of a dog's head, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 34 |
||
| Pencil and wash landscape, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 32 |
||
| Pencil and watercolor landscape studies, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 52 |
||
| Pencil and watercolor landscape studies, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 53 |
||
| Pencil and watercolor landscape studies, 2 pages Recto has watercolor of garden; verso has studies of flowers.
|
undated | RBD BP ART 73 |
||
| Pencil and watercolor studies of a bank vole and a landscape, 2 pages Recto has three watercolor studies of a mouse or bank vole and three rougher pencil
studies of a mouse; verso has watercolor landscape of a lake.
|
undated | RBD BP ART 78a |
||
| Pencil and watercolor studies of a blue tit, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 39 |
||
| Pencil and watercolor studies of caterpillars and moths, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 103 |
||
| Pencil and watercolor studies of caterpillars and moths, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 105 |
||
| Pencil and watercolor studies of cats, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 44 |
||
| Pencil and watercolor studies of cats, rabbits, and a mouse, 2 pages Recto has many sketches of cats and rabbits and one watercolor of rabbit. Verso has
many sketches of cats, one sketch of a rabbit, and one sketch of a mouse.
|
undated | RBD BP ART 42 |
||
| Pencil and watercolor studies of crows, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 53a |
||
| Pencil and watercolor studies of horseshoes, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 98 |
||
| Pencil and watercolor studies of a sheep dog and a pencil study of a bench end, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 56 |
||
| Pencil and watercolor study of a tadpole, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 1 |
||
| "Peter Rabbit--he had an old quilt made of scraps of flannel and blue cloth which
he always lay on," lithograph, 1 page Lithograph reproduction of a pencil sketch.
|
1980 | RBD BP ART 107 |
||
| "A Scotch garden in June from nature," watercolor, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 57 |
||
| "Silver urn, modern copy of old pattern," pencil and watercolor, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 40 |
||
| "Studies of a Teddy Bear," pencil and watercolor, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 69 |
||
| "Teignmouth," pencil and watercolor, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 51 |
||
| "Teignmouth, S. Devon," pencil and watercolor, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 48 |
||
| Watercolor of flowers with tipped-on text, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 78 |
||
| Watercolor of a parrot, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 104 |
||
| "Watercolor of a trout," watercolor, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 13 |
||
| "Windermere," pencil and watercolor, 1 page | undated | RBD BP ART 50 |
||
| "Young rabbit from life," and studies of reindeer, pencil and watercolor, 2 pages Recto has several studies of rabbit; verso has two studies of reindeer head.
|
undated | RBD BP ART 55 |
||
| Correspondence | ||||
| Butler, Hubert D. Typewritten letter signed, to Beatrix Potter. Huyton Hill School,
near Ambleside, Westmorland, 1 page Salutation: Dear Mrs. Heelis. A cover letter sent to explain a packet of thank-you
letters and illustrations from local school boys, expressing gratitude for Miss Potter's
books. Bottom of page unevenly torn, partially obliterating typed title of signatory:
Headmaster.
|
1943 June 11 | RBD BP ALS/C P851b |
||
| Heelis, William. Autograph letter signed, to Mrs. James DeWolf Perry. Castle Cottage,
Sawrey, near Ambleside, 1 page with envelope Salutation: Dear Mrs. Perry. Signed: W. Heelis. Thanks her for her letter of condolence
after Mrs. Heelis's death. "It is sad to think that her last few years were so interfered
with by this awful 'war' but she was always cheerful and brave to the end."
|
1944 April 3 | RBD BP ALS/C P429 |
||
| Linder, Leslie. Typewritten letter signed, to Elizabeth H. Stevens. St. Just, Buckhurst
Hill, Essex, 2 pages Salutation: Dear Mrs. Stevens. Signed: Leslie Linder. Thanks her for offer to send
copies of Beatrix Potter's letters to her. Says he has spent much time at Hill Top
going through manuscripts and papers. Informs her that he is working with Mr. Herring
from Frederick Warne & Co. on a book of Potter's drawings
The Art of Beatrix Potter, but asks her to keep this confidential. "I am hoping to prepare something for Beatrix
Potter's centenary in July 1966 but so far nothing definite is planned." Is interested
to learn that she has some
Tailor of Gloucester originals. Tells her about Rosemary and Jean Duke, daughters of Stephanie Duke, who
died earlier in 1954. "I am sending you three photographs of Beatrix Potter (copies
from some we found at Hill Top), the one of her as a child was taken in August '75
- she was exactly 9 years old ... The other two were taken by an American gentleman
about 1908 and you will see 'Kep' of Jemima Puddle-Duck in real life ..." Handwritten
note on page 2 possibly by Mrs. Stevens, which seems to be notes for a reply to Linder's
letter.
|
1954 October 1 | RBD BP ALS/C St47 |
||
| Linder, Leslie. Typewritten letter signed, to Elizabeth H. Stevens. St. Just, Buckhurst
Hill, Essex, 2 pages with envelope Salutation: Dear Mrs. Stevens. Signed: Leslie Linder. Thanks her for sending the photostat
copies of Beatrix Potter's letters. Says that one or two
Tailor of Gloucester drawings will be included in his book
The Art of Beatrix Potter. "Next Saturday my sister and I are going to have lunch with Miss Carr (the lucy
(sic) Carr of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle) ... It will be interesting to hear of her impressions
of Miss Potter from the child's point of view."
|
1954 October 27 | RBD BP ALS/C St47b |
||
| Miller, Bertha E. Mahony. Typewritten letter, to Beatrix Potter (copy). 270 Boylston
Street, Boston, 2 pages Typed copy of a letter which discusses terms for the publication of
The Fairy Caravan. Salutation: Dear Mrs. Heelis. No signature. Author's name from letterhead and typist's
initials. Miss Mahony apparently acted as agent (informally?) for the contractual
agreement between Alexander McKay and Miss Potter relative to the publication of
The Fairy Caravan. Most of this letter relates terms offered by Mr. McKay, and Miss Mahony's efforts
to assure their fairness. Mr. McKay suggests Leslie Brooks as illustrator. The book
size could be perhaps 8 1/2 x 6 1/2." Xarifa stories could be printed privately, as
the stories will have an English copyright. "Is there any chance that you would be
willing, after everything is settled up about the book, to let us print the first
chapter in
The Horn Book?" Four of the fifty signed drawings which Miss Potter sent to Miss Mahony's bookshop,
to raise money for The National Trust purchases near Windermere, are left over. (cf.
M. Lane.
The Tale of Beatrix Potter, circa 1968, page 154.) "We ... would like to own them ... and a voucher will be
sent in payment."
|
1928 November 6 | RBD BP ALS/C P851 |
||
| Perry, Marian Frazer Harris. Autograph letter signed, to Beatrix Potter (draft). 165
Schoolhouse Lane, Germantown, Philadelphia, 3 pages Salutation: My dear Mrs. Heelis. Signed: Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Thanks her for
her letter of 10th February, and asks if she would be willing to paint some additional
pictures for her, if more funds are needed for the Windermere fund. Asks for three
specific scenes from
The Tale of Peter Rabbit: "The little picture of Peter running away on the outside of the book ... And the
little rabbit on the title page ... and on page 96 'Flopsy Mopsy & Cottontail had
bread etc." Asks that she send them to the Bookshop for Boys and Girls in Boston if
she is able to. Additional pictures were never sent; cf. letter to Mrs. Perry of December
17, 1928.
|
1928 February 23 | RBD BP ALS/C P851c |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Frank Allonby. Sawrey, 4 pages with envelope Address from which the letter is written is embossed, not in autograph: Sawrey, Ambleside.
Signed: H.B. Heelis. Offering a situation to Mr. Allonby and his wife as farm manager,
"wife to do dairy," to replace John Mackereth and his wife at Hilltop. The Mackereths
are retiring to a cottage near Maryport by Whitsuntide, "after 11 years faithful service."
Explains terms, duties, acreage, animals, wages and benefits. Names various other
farm workers for the Heelis lands.
|
1927 April 27 | RBD BP ALS AL57 |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to William Bell, 2 pages Must have been written during cold months: last sentence states: This snow is wearisome.
Signed: H.B. Heelis. Letter begins: I have at last got a letter from the wages board
about various matters. Lists stockmen's wages and deductions for sundry goods (house,
potatoes, milk). Discussion of how Bell is to pay for coal. This letter was sent with
a wage cheque, and is a written statement of how Mrs. Heelis and Mr. Bell will relate,
financially, as employer and employee.
|
undated | RBD BP ALS B413 |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to J. Spedding Byers, Sawrey, Ambleside, 3 pages with envelope | 1920 November 17 | RBD BP ALS By99 |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Harry Bacon Collamore. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 4 pages Attribution of addressee's name as suggested by Clive E. Driver, director of the Rosenbach
Foundation. Salutation: Dear Sir. Signed: "Beatrix Potter" and, to left: H.B. Heelis.
Describes end papers of her books and their use in determining editions. Brightness
of impression of plates is no guide here, as the copper blocks wear so badly that
they have all had to be re-engraved. "I kept all originals for that purpose." Number
of copies in first edition of
The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Some of her reactions to bindings of her books.
|
1939 December 7 | RBD BP ALS C683 |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Harry Bacon Collamore. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2 pages Attribution of addressee's name as suggested by Clive E. Driver, director of the Rosenbach
Foundation. Salutation: Dear Sir. Signed: H.B. Heelis. Has not kept any of the "folding
copies" of her books. "This minute study of first editions seems very silly when applied
to recent picture books. It's a pity you have not some more useful pursuit or hobby
to employ your time."
|
1940 March 17 | RBD BP ALS C683b |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Curtis, Brown & Massie, 1 page Salutation: Dear Sir. Signed: Beatrix Potter. As F. Warne & Co. has branch office
in New York, she finds it "more convenient to do all business through them. I should
not choose to employ another agent." On sheet of paper on other side of which is printed:
With Messrs. Frederick Warne & Co.'s Compliments. Chandos House, Bedford Street, Strand,
W. C.
|
1910 June 30 | RBD BP ALS C941 |
||
| Autograph document signed, to the David McKay Company, 1 page Postage stamp is attached to receipt, beneath the signature of Helen Beatrix Heelis.
"Received from the David McKay Company in payment of Royalties to December 31. 1934
$93.38."
|
1936 January 3 | RBD BP ALS D28 |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Wilfred Evans, Esq., 2 pages Incomplete: last leaf of letter only. Addressee's name in Mrs. Heelis's autograph
below her signature. Date in manuscript, not in Mrs. Heelis's autograph, given at
top of the recto: May 5th 1917. Signed: Beatrix Heelis. "I am wondering what the (conflicting)
powers who govern us are really driving at." After reducing livestock at governmental
request, "I was yesterday deprived finally of my ploughman by conscription into the
armed services of World War I? on the ground that I have not enough head of cattle
& sheep!" Mrs. Heelis can wait for things to work out slowly but she fears this slowness
will be difficult for business people.
|
undated | RBD BP ALS Ev16 |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Mrs. M. C. Grimston. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2 pages with
envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Comments on
The Fairy Caravan, copy of which she has given recipient. "I used to tame house mice...But I never
had a satisfactory 'wild' rabbit." Describes Mopsy, an unsatisfactory one. Describes
also Bounce, "a very intelligent Belgian hare," from whom Peter Rabbit was drawn.
|
1938 February 12 | RBD BP ALS G884 |
||
| Autograph note signed, to Miss Margaret Hammond. Ashyburn, Ancrum, Roxburghshire Scotland,
1 postcard Date from postmark. Signed: H.B.H. "Arrived from Hexham through wind and rain, perhaps
we have brought it with us! but they have not had a fine summer here either; and there
is no orchard fruit. Tell the little dogs--their brother Charles was so gracious!
he jumped on my knee on arrival. I hope they are not fretting, I was quite sorry to
leave them. The rivers are in flood, possibly it may be good fishing. We shall be
coming home by Hawick & Carlisle on Tuesday I expect." Housed with folder including
two leaves of sketches, seven photographs, and one greeting card. See Artwork series.
|
1938 July 30 | RBD BP ART 108 Accompanying material |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Master Tom Harding. Hill Top Farm, Sawrey, 2 pages with
envelope Signed: "Beatrix Potter" (Mrs. W. Heelis) A charming letter to a child, talking about
the animals she kept at her farm, giving numbers of animals, names, and choice anecdotes.
"I get so many letters from boys and girls all over the world--especially from Australia
& N. Zealand--that I put them in a bundle to answer if I can... Have you seen my new
little book
Appley Dapply? I must send you a copy if you have not got it. The pictures were done a long time
ago--I have little time for painting now, & I have to wear spectacles. With love &
best wishes for Christmas from your affectionate friend." See artwork series for other
items.
|
1917 December 21 | RBD BP ALS H219 |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Miss Sylvie Heelis. Sawrey, 4 pages Salutation: My dear Sylvie. Signed: Aunt Beatrix. Requests that Sylvie and Isabel
tie up some books to be sent to Sawrey. Mention of Aunt Blanche and Aunt May. Much
about Uncle Arthur and his reactions to a sale of his household goods. Also, Miss
Potter's reactions to this sale & sales in general.
|
1922 July 22 | RBD BP ALS H36 |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Miss Sylvie Heelis. Sawrey, 1 page Salutation: My dear Sylvie. Signed: Aunt Beatrix. Thanks to "all of you" for trouble
taken concerning furniture to be sent to Sawrey, and the books which just arrived.
(cf. her letter to Sylvie Heelis of July 22, 1922.) Comments on Uncle Arthur's physical
and mental condition. "I think he is better in this sense--he dwells less continually
on the past and on the future. My philosophy is to make the best of the present. I
doubt if he will ever be fit for work; the first step in any case is to get him well,
and more normal."
|
1922 July 29 | RBD BP ALS H36b |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Miss Sylvie Heelis, 3 pages with envelope Date taken from postmarks on front of envelope. Salutation: Dear Sylvie. Signed: Aunt
Beatrix. Asking Sylvie to pick up various furnishings from Mr. Lane at Brougham Hall.
(Uncle Arthur's goods?) Uncle Arthur is ill, nurse will judge how seriously this morning.
Trying weather for people subject to feel chills. List of goods on back of letter.
|
1934 July 16 | RBD BP ALS H36c |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Miss Sylvie Heelis. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 1 page with
envelope Envelope, has original address (in London) lined through and a forwarding address
(The Terrace, Appleby, Westmoreland) written in another hand. Salutation: My dear
Sylvie. Signed: Aunt Beatrix. "No need for so much apology! Which is not needed by
the poems, either,-they are better than I feard!" Still sore from an illness, so no
"long cold drives to Appleby." Mr. Heelis helping Uncle George "on some business about
selling a house...do they call it Flahnbridge?--"
|
1937 March 28 | RBD BP ALS H36d |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Mrs. Hollins. 2 Bolton Gardens, 3 pages Signed: Beatrix Potter. Letter tipped in copy of first privately published edition
of
The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1901). Presents her this and another copy, with the comment that copies of the work had
come to Beatrix Potter from the printer the previous night.
|
1901 December 17 | RBD BP 1 [1901] Accompanying material |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to G. N. Hunter. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 1 page Signed: H.B. Heelis. "I am very well satisfied with the last seventeen blocks - so
the plates for illustrations of
The Fairy Caravan are now all in order." Comments on legends for these plates.
|
1929 July 30 | RBD BP ALS H917 |
||
| Typewritten letter (copy), to Alexander McKay. Cartle Cottage, Sawrey, 2 pages Typewritten signature: H.B. Heelis. Letter begins: "I regret that I have been delayed
by influenza--thought it would happen." The original was apparently sent with (?)
the corrected manuscript of
The Fairy Caravan. (cf. her letters to McKay of January 18, and February 21, 1929.) Explanations and
critical judgements made regarding sentimentality and choice of story order. Mentions
notes on back of opposite pages are intended as explanations for McKay's children,
not for publication. "I am afraid I am longwinded about my sheep...I am conceited
enough to say I am the only person who could have written about the sheep; because
I know them and the fell like a shepherd; but the herdwick men are not articulate."
Desires no payment for illustrations. "There is nothing in the book that anyone can
take exception to." Several textual corrections suggested. "I don't want this stuff
published in England, at all events not this year; I would really prefer to print
it privately first--anyway I would like to see whether it looks silly in print--and
no immediate intention of printing is a strong reason for not wishing to charge for
illustrating." Suggests using a few of her old drawings and hiring a student to do
"human (or fairy) figures." "Every anecdote is fact--except possibly: the fairies?--"
Postscript shows pleasure about
The Horn Book and requests "a few corrections in the early chapters" in McKay's new printing.
|
1929 February 20 | RBD BP ALS M192b |
||
| Typewritten letter (copy), to Alexander McKay. Cartle Cottage, Sawrey, 1 page Typewritten signature: H.B. Heelis. Letter begins: "Forgive me troubling you! Do you
have dedications in children's books in the U.S.A.?" This letter is basically concerned
with additions and changes in the manuscript of
The Fairy Caravan. Dedication suggested: "To Henry P. Coolidge." Motto of the book suggested: "As I
walk'd by myself, And talked to myself, Myself said unto me--" Several corrections
and changes suggested. "You may think me fidgetty; but I believe that is why children
learnt by heart the rabbit books; I took trouble with the words. I posted the mss.
(!) yesterday in a linen envelope, registered letter post."
|
1929 February 21 | RBD BP ALS M192c |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 1 page Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Mainly about illustrations for
The Fairy Caravan. Sample drawings enclosed. "This colour drawing is smudgy--will it process? My eyes
have lost the faculty of seeing clean colours." Complains of F. Warne & Co.'s positioning
of black & white drawings in the text of
Patty Pan. Thinks pen & inks look better top or bottom of the page. Intends to do "plenty"
of pen & inks "and you can use what you select. They should be reduced a lot smaller."
Encloses a stray page, 182 or 3, found after posting the manuscript. Typewritten copy
laid in.
|
1929 February 28 | RBD BP ALS M192d |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Deals with publication of
The Fairy Caravan by an American publisher, David McKay Company. "F Warne & Co are very jealous of
my passing over the NY branch." Explains her difficulties in getting the illustrations
finished. Evident that English copyright must be secured by her. Indicates how she
intends to do this. "I never really wanted to print
The Fairy Caravan at all; but the money has been useful."
|
1929 March 28 | RBD BP ALS M192e |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2 pages Signed: H.B. Heelis. Has received dummy of
The Fairy Caravan, and comments on illustrations and on the legends. She will write a foreword. But
"if you are writing it - don't put in, please, anything of the nature of a puff or
flourish - let the book stand on its own merits - it ain't so bad after all."
|
1929 June 30 | RBD BP ALS M192f |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2 pages Signed: H.B. Heelis. Her disappointments with proofs of illustrations for
The Fairy Caravan. Her thoughts on the book's dedication and preface; and her further plans for securing
English copyright. "If the book makes a hit, I foresee that it will have to be reprinted
in this country. But I don't want it at all; it is too personal."
|
1929 July 28 | RBD BP ALS M192g |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 1 page Signed: H.B. Heelis. "I am still puzzled about the foreword to
The Fairy Caravan."
|
1929 July 30 | RBD BP ALS M192h |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Gives names and addresses of those to whom copies of the autographed
edition of
The Fairy Caravan might be sent. She is still very anxious to secure English copyright for the book.
|
1929 August 23 | RBD BP ALS M192i |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. "I am much interested to hear the book
The Fairy Caravan is in the press. It would not be wise for me to sell the coloured drawings; in case
an English edition were required at some future time...I am very glad to hear that
the orders for the book have pleased you. We have taken a number of first prizes this
summer with the sheep...I think we could have gone to the 'Royal.'" Asks that copy
of autographed edition of
The Fairy Caravan be sent to Mrs. James DeWolf Perry (i.e. Marian Frazer Harris Perry).
|
1929 September 13 | RBD BP ALS M192j |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2 pages Signed: H.B. Heelis. "The book parcels arrived this morning October 10th (sic)...I
think it
The Fairy Caravan is beautifully printed." Her comments on the illustrations. "I am taking copies to
be bound - you will let me know when I may register? Her most exacting critics are
her shepherds and the blacksmith --- "I do not care tuppence about anybody else's
opinion." Points out three mistakes in the text.
|
1929 October 11 | RBD BP ALS M192k |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Sent off on October 16 the signed sheets of the autographed
edition of
The Fairy Caravan. "I would like one copy to keep...and I intend sending you one copy of the English
binding...and perhaps it might be of interest to pencil the localities on the margins."
Wishes to buy 12 copies of the regular American edition, rather than print more than
100 copies of her own limited edition (printed for purpose of English copyright),
in order to give copies to "all the shepherds and coachmen," and still have some to
hoard.
|
1929 October 20 | RBD BP ALS M192L |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 1 page Signed: Beatrix Heelis. "I am much gratified to hear that the book
The Fairy Caravan is making such a good start, and what a charming review you have sent me!...I will
send back one of your half-bound copies with some corrections, and some other outline
designs. There are two I do not like...I have copyrighted the English edition...Miss
Moore's approval will be a help...It has been received with acclamation by the men
the shepherds, etc. - only they are all claiming bits, and disputing whose ! who."
|
1929 October 31 | RBD BP ALS M192m |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 1 page Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Invited him to stay with her and her husband at Sawrey. "I
am not a prolific scribbler. I wrote myself out on the rabbit series." Then outlines
her plans for writing in the future.
|
1929 December 17 | RBD BP ALS M192n |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 1 page Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Concerning
The Tale of Little Pig Robinson, to be published in America by McKay. "
Pig Robinson is plainer than
The Fairy Caravan; and provided I can do good illustrations it should be a presentable work." Thanks
him for book of poetry by Joyce Kilmer. Hates modern novels: "I have gone back to
Scott's novels with never failing pleasure." Glad that he came to call on her and
her husband.
|
1930 February 24 | RBD BP ALS M192o |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Would like to be able to see American edition of
The Tale of Little Pig Robinson set up, because there may be more or less space than in English edition, to be published
by Warne. Speaks of introducing Margery McKay's airedale, Gypsy, into the story; and
asks that American edition be dedicated to McKay's children. Comments on illustrations
for the book.
|
1930 June 21 | RBD BP ALS M192p |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2 pages Signed: H.B. Heelis. Will have done many more illustrations for
The Tale of Little Pig Robinson than Warne will use for English edition, but hopes McKay can include them in American
edition.
|
1930 July 8 | RBD BP ALS M192q |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Concerning illustrations that will not be used by Warne in
the English edition. "I wonder how you make hay in hot weather in America!" Postscript:
I am not very particular about illustrations coming exactly opposite words -- you
may find them rather in bunches."
|
1930 July 15 | RBD BP ALS M192r |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Refers to legends for illustrations of
The Tale of Little Pig Robinson. Agrees with all his corrections in the book, "except possibly 'fatterer.'" Likes
appearance of book extremely; it has much more character than English edition. Book
"is much more concise and understandable for children than
The Fairy Caravan." A new edition would be improved by a few more illustrations. "I think P. R. i.e.
Pig Robinson looking into a shop window is the best black & white I ever did."
|
1930 September 9 | RBD BP ALS M192s |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 1 page Signed: H.B. Heelis. Asking him to send her 12 copies of
The Fairy Caravan. "I am looking forward to your edition of
Robinson. The London edition is only moderately pleasing," but 2500 copies have been ordered
before publication.
|
1930 October 27 | RBD BP ALS M192t |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. "I am delighted with your edition of
Robinson." English edition "does not look as good money's worth...As regards another book
I have let myself in for a troublesome business; a book about the Lake District."
Describes this project in some detail, but hopes to be able to back out of it. Mentions
ideas for a book she might be able to do for him.
|
1930 November 5 | RBD BP ALS M192u |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2 pages Posted June 4th. Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Concerns
Sister Anne, to be published only in America, and by McKay. "I would only suggest this much mouse...--"
Glad she is not doing the illustrations. Postscript tells a true dog story.
|
1932 June 3 | RBD BP ALS M192v |
||
| Photostat of autograph note, to Alexander McKay, 1 page Not signed, possibly a draft of a note or letter which may have accompanied the proofs
of
Sister Anne. Date at top of letter: July 14 (three and four written over each other) The year
is inferred from Linder's quotation of a line in this note in reference to copyright
in England for the book
Sister Anne, which was published in 1932. cf. L. Linder.
A History of the Writings of Beatrix Potter. London, New York, circa 1971. page 326. Letter begins: I am returning the proof
by same post received?. "There are very few errors." Suggestions made to make Cap
23 Chapter 6? as impressive as possible. "This chapter is worth taking pains with,
as it is the crux of the story...Would you please put copyright of the author in this
country? But how about the pictures? If you prefer I daresay I can copyright this
type unbound without the pictures in it." She has no expectation of making much money
on it but perhaps some kind of agreement is necessary.
|
1932 July 13 or 14 | RBD BP ALS M192w |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 3 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Very pleased with
Sister Anne, especially with Katharine Sturges's illustrations. Beatrix Potter not having a Merry
Christmas - "my old mother is refusing to die," at 93 years old.
|
1932 December 18 | RBD BP ALS M192x |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. "Thank you for the statement and remittance...I have not done
any writing for a long time, I am alright but feeling old and lazy."
|
1936 February 5 | RBD BP ALS M192y |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. "I am pleased to hear you have given leave for the transcription
into Braille of
The Fairy Caravan." Years ago her mother made copies of many books in Braille for a blind association
in London. "I'm alright, but feeling old - my book days are done - I'm afraid Margery
will look in vain for MSS. from me. But you are well off for excellent writers of
children's books in U.S.A. What an amusing picture book that
Mulberry Street by Dr Seuss - someone sent it to me at Christmas."
|
1938 July 13 | RBD BP ALS M192z |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 1 page with envelope Envelope has been reused from an earlier letter sent to Mrs. Heelis on April 24, 1940,
to judge from multiple postmarks, stamps, and lined through original typed address.
Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Authorizes future royalties to be paid to Mrs. Betty Stevens,
with a sample of her signature pasted to top of letter. "She and her aunt Mrs. Perry
of Germantown are old friends, and I have recommended to their notice some young relatives
who may possibly go out--though at present the inclination is to sit tight! and keep
smiling!" Typewritten copy laid in.
|
1940 June 17 | RBD BP ALS M192aa |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2 pages Signed: H.B. Heelis. "I am obliged for the cheque...We are still undamaged." Describes
bombing of farm house in which eleven were killed. "The men say they were bombed out
of France - bombed out of Norway - now it is bombed out of Greece."
|
1941 April 28 | RBD BP ALS M192bb |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 1 page Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Thanking him for check in payment of royalties. Great difficulties
about labor and printing in the book trade in England, but a large market to be supplied.
"My evergreen 'works' were unobtainable at Christmas, I suppose the demand was largely
due to scarcity of toys."
|
1942 July 17 | RBD BP ALS M192cc |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Alexander McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 1 page Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Thanking him for check in payment of royalties. Has so much
to attend to in these times - so many forms to fill in for rationing, etc. "Now on
top of our own farming there is semi-public work re agricultural communities. You
would laugh to see ME in the chair at a meeting of old sheep farmers, discussing prices
and subsidies with a young gentleman from the Board of Agriculture... The sales of
the Peter Rabbit books have been hampered by short supply of paper. There has been
a good demand, because there is a shortage of toys for presents to children."
|
1943 June 10 | RBD BP ALS M192dd |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to David McKay. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 1 page Signed: Helen Beatrix Heelis. "I herewith return the signed agreement," which presumably
concerned publication by David McKay Company of
The Fairy Caravan. "I will send the corrected mss. ! of the story as quickly as possible." Wonders
about shape of colored illustrations.
|
1929 January 18 | RBD BP ALS M192 |
||
| Four miniature autograph letters signed, to Miss Marjorie Moller, 4 pages (1 page
each) with envelope Date taken from postmarks on front and back of envelope. Front postmark from Earl's
Court, S.W. i.e., the envelope was posted near Miss Potter's family home in London,
Number Two, Bolton Gardens, Little letters written and signed as if by various of
Miss Potter's animal characters, each shaped and folded to represent an envelope,
with a tiny stamp drawn in red. Largest letter: 10 cm. Salutation: Dear Miss Marjorie.
Signed: Squirrel Nutkin. "I hope you will like the next book, there will be lots of
rabbits! but poor Mopsy's story is too melancholy to write, she was killed by a weasel,
& buried in a little moss grave under the wall. But there are plenty of rabbits still.
yrs aff." Second largest letter: 9 cm. Salutation: My dear Miss Moller. Signed: Flopsy
Bunny. "I am pleased to hear that you like the F. Bunnies, because some people do
think there has been too much bunnies, and there is going to be some more! My family
will appear again in the next book; and Cottontail is put in because you asked after
her. Which me & Cottontail thanks you for kind inquiries, & remain yrs respectful"
Third largest letter: 9 cm. Salutation: Dear Madame. Signed: B. Bunny. "My wife Mrs
Flopsy Bunny has replied to your inquiries, because Miss Potter will attend to nothing
but hatching spring chickens; there is another hatch chipping this evening. And she
is supposed to be doing a Book, about us and the Fox; but she does not get on; neither
has she answered all her Xmas letters yet. Yrs" Smallest letter: 5 cm. Salutation:
Dear Miss Marjorie. Signed: Hunca Munca. "I hope this finds you well. I do not like
cats. Yrs. aff."
|
1912 March 12 | RBD BP ALS M736 |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Freda Moore, 1 page Signed: H.B.P. Letter accompanies manuscript of
The Tailor of Gloucester, described separately. "Because you are fond of fairy-tales and have been ill, I
have made you a story all for yourself ... I heard it in Gloucestershire, and it is
true ... There ought to be more pictures ... only Miss Potter was tired of it."
|
1901 December 25 | RBD BP MSS 97-528 Accompanying material |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Miss Winifrede Moore. Laund House, Bolton Abbey, 4 pages Signed: Beatrix Potter. This is the letter addressed to My dear Freda, reprinted on
page 114 of L. Linder's
A History of the Writings of Beatrix Potter. London, New York, circa 1971. "I have kept your picture book i.e., the original
manuscript copy of
The Tailor of Gloucester a long time and I have not done with it yet; I had to copy out the pictures rather
larger and it took me a long time--but you will get it back some day--I hope soon
I shall have the new edition of the little rabbit book i.e.,
The Tale of Peter Rabbit, in the first published edition by Warne with coloured pictures--I have had the pictures
to look at and they were very pretty, but not made up into a proper book yet."
|
1902 July 6 | RBD BP ALS M787 |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to the Editor of the (London)
Observer. Sawrey, 1 page Signed: H.B. Heelis (retraction letter); Beatrix Heelis (letter of explanation to
the Editor) Two short letters are written on one sheet of stationary. The "daily press"
reported that land owned by the Heelis's (Tarn Haws near Coniston) had been given
to the National Trust. Mrs. Heelis explains that she could not afford to do so, but
that there is a plan for the Trust to buy part of the Monk Coniston estate from the
Heelis's, including Tarn Haws, when funds can be raised. All mention of the erroneous
rumor is to be suppressed "unless the untrue statement has got so much hold as to
require contradiction." In that eventuality, the
Observer is requested to print a three sentence retraction statement, in the form of a letter
to the Editor, which is included at the top of the sheet of stationary.
|
1930 January 27 | RBD BP ALS Ob7 |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Westmorland postmark: Sawrey,
Ambleside, 2 pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Letter informs her that three drawings will be mailed separately
to the Bookshop (presumably the Bookshop for Boys and Girls in Boston). "Tell it not
to other people but I've taken special pains with yours because you wrote me such
a nice letter!" The drawings are not the originals of Peter Rabbit; she keeps those
for the engravers to borrow because the copper blanks wear out. "I cannot paint quite
so delicately as I did twenty five years ago; but I can still draw." Explains that
the money from sale of the drawings will be listed as from "friends from Boston,"
and that a gravel path is being made on the land purchased with these funds. Cf. Lane,
M.
The Tale of Beatrix Potter for reference to sale of these drawings.
|
1927 November 30 | RBD BP ALS P429oo |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Sawrey, 2 pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Sending a receipt slip from the treasurer of the Windermere
fund. Mostly discusses philosophy of saving "our Lake country from being vulgarized."
The glebeland estate is secured and will be open to the public next summer. "I too
believe in the future...If I have done anything--even a little--to help small children
on the road to enjoy and appreciate honest simple pleasures--of the sort that leads
to becoming Boy Scouts and Girl Guides--I have done a bit of good."
|
1928 February 10 | RBD BP ALS P429 |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Potter. "Great satisfaction to me to have been able to help the fund
for the preservation of the Lake District through the kindness of my friends in America."
Secluded parking space for cars and buses one of things provided by this fund. Buses
have done much to spoil the Lake District, and many of their passengers are not appreciative
visitors. Is sending her copy of
Peter Rabbit's Almanac for 1929.
|
1928 December 17 | RBD BP ALS P429b |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Making suggestions concerning Mrs. Perry's forthcoming visit
to the Lake District. "I shall be delighted to see you and show you my drawings."
|
1929 February 17 | RBD BP ALS P429c |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Sawrey, 2 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Thanks her for "charming little bunny you have sent me." It
brings to mind Beatrix Potter's acquisition of Benjamin Bunny. "I enjoyed the afternoon
too" - presumably their first meeting. Discusses sale of English antiques to Americans,
including Romney portraits. Mentions antiques owned by herself. Touches upon origins
of place names of the Lake District. Always enjoys meeting "carefully selected visitors"
from America. Enjoyed Faith Gartney's
Girlhood, a book sent her by an American friend.
|
1929 April 25 | RBD BP ALS P429d |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, near
Ambleside, 2 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Thanks her for pretty bag sent from Florence, and reminisces
about Mrs. Perry's visit to the Lake District earlier that year. Describes winter
weather, her health, and a hunting trip her husband took with friends. Writes about
Little Pig Robinson: "From what Mr. Mckay reports it has not taken so well as the
Caravan in U.S.A. which rather pleases me in one respect--I like fairy tales, and so do American
readers." Says she will send the American edition of
Little Pig Robinson "as it is better got up." Reports that
Robinson is selling well in England.
|
1930 December 14 | RBD BP ALS P429pp |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 4
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. A Christmas letter expressing warm friendship. Thanks sent
to Mrs. Clark for a book, Willa Cather's
Shadows on the Rock. "The atmosphere, and character drawing are perfect! ...Another fit of scribbling
has taken possession of me and I am trying to make a framework to hold some more of
the surplus stories that were left over from
The Fairy Caravan." Sequel to
The Fairy Caravan was never published. cf. Linder.
History of the Writings of Beatrix Potter. London, New York, 1971. Page 309-321. Economic and social conditions in the Lake
country during the Depression are discussed, as well as Christmas season activities.
|
1931 December 15 | RBD BP ALS P429e |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 4
pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. "Not one American friend has been here this summer. I suppose
it is the result of bad times." Notes some results in England of the depression. "There
should have been an absurd book -
Sister Anne but I cannot hear anything of it, perhaps Messrs McKay have delayed publication till
a better season."
|
1932 December 3 | RBD BP ALS P429f |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 4
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Thanks for sending "a sweet book," Mary Johnston's (Miss Delicia
Allen). "I wonder sometimes what is the secret of attraction? 'I' always seem to 'me'
to be comparatively dull, with not much to say, and with only very occasional flashes
of amusement. Anyway, it was a true pleasure to both of us i.e., her husband and her
to meet again, and I wish we could have met oftener--I always have just too much to
do, though it is mainly useful work that takes me into pleasant places." The rest
of the letter consists of reminiscences, opinions, and general chat about this visit
and the farms visited.
|
1933 October 18 | RBD BP ALS P429g |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 4
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. "Amused to hear that the Sergeant has done it once too often!
- provided you are not put to inconvenience in giving evidence against him, he deserves
a number of convictions; and term following term, to keep him out of the path of enthusiastic
American visitors who want to see the xxxxxx of xxxxxx review the troops, next season!"
Recommends hot mustard for lumbago. Describes Miss Rebeccah Owen, a remarkable and
eccentric old woman and an American, who has lived a long time near Hawkshead. Mrs.
Perry may come across her in Rome.
|
1933 November 17 | RBD BP ALS P429h |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 6
pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Postscript signed: H. B. H. Has been laid up for six weeks
with lumbago, and comments on books, presumably sent her by Mrs. Perry, that she has
thus had time to read. Postscript begins: Since writing this 2 more books have come!
How very acceptable. Beatrix Potter then comments on similarities of description between
one of these books, with title
Otto, and her own book
Sister Anne, and on Katharine Sturges's illustrations for the latter.
|
1933 December 13 | RBD BP ALS P429i |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 6
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Much about illness, her own and Mrs. Perry's. Mentions weather
- not so severe as last winter, with its bad blizzard. Speaks of early spring flowers
already in bloom. Mentions death of Albert, King of the Belgians -- "cannot understand
this rock-climbing craze." Comments on Sarah Orne Jewett's
The Tory Lover, read while she was ill.
|
1934 February 20 | RBD BP ALS P429j |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 4
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. It was a "fine warm spring. We had good crops, lots of lambs,
and now the agricultural shows are making us busy." She and her husband have just
motored through Northumberland and southern Scotland, over a long weekend - "only
time I have slept out of this house since 2 years...I have lent the
Tory Lover by Sarah Orne Jewett to a friend...it grows upon second reading; surely the best
test of a book."
|
1934 August 31 | RBD BP ALS P429k |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 4
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. "Have just re-read
The Child in Old Chester...and you gave it to me!" This book reminds her of her own childhood, about which
she reminisces. "I have another American book that is a favourite;
Hitty by Rachel Field." Very busy selling her sheep at sheep fairs -- "I have about 700
sheep to draft out of the flocks this season." Postscript begins: If you really want
to send me one more book at parting -- please send another of Willa Cather's.
|
1934 October 4 | RBD BP ALS P429L |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 1
page with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Thanks her for book by Willa Cather,
Come Again to England Another Year.
|
1934 October 17 | RBD BP ALS P429m |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 4
pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Wishing her Happy Christmas. Heavy rainstorms and mild weather
in England. Many of her cottage tenants have leaking roofs, and need repairs to windows.
But "new roofs and windows never look the same...There is a big crop of holly berries,
and trouble as usual because of this."
|
1934 December 12 | RBD BP ALS P429n |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, near
Ambleside, 4 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Reports that it has been a mild winter. "How comical to think
that I am responsible for providing little Timothy Mrs. Perry's niece's son with a
nickname-- 'Timmy Tiptoes' is really rather pretty for a baby name." Thanks her for
books sent, and says that all three describe the attributes of Roman Catholicism.
Wonders if Mrs. Perry is Roman Catholic, then describes an Irish servant she had one
winter. "Things that Kathleen did not eat when she fasted she stored in a hatbox under
her bed. A ... fellow servant took me to see this cache ... 10 eggs, 1 2 lb. jam pot
full of bacon drippings, nearly 1 lb. butter, and (I regret to say) 1 1/2 tinfuls
of Mr. Heelis's cigarettes; all covered up with clothes! ... It is well to be able
to see the funny side of things."
|
1935 February 4 | RBD BP ALS P429qq |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 4
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Hopes Mrs. Perry and her cousins had good seats at the Jubilee.
"You Americans don't miss much." Describes local Jubilee celebrations. (It is Silver
Jubilee of George V.) Serious drought in England. Thanks her for sending her more
books. "Writers take more pains with juvenile literature in America."
|
1935 May 31 | RBD BP ALS P429o |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, near
Ambleside, 4 pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Describes the good weather in the summer and the "very wild
and cold" recent weather. Says they were delighted to visit with Betty, Mrs. Perry's
niece, and her husband. She and Mr. Heelis have been going to agricultural shows where
"the sheep have taken many prizes, including a silver cup, won outright, (the 3d time)
for champion Herdwick eve." Thinks
The Rain on the Roof by Cornelia Meigs was "a very pleasant story, beautifully written." Had offer from
the editor of "The Farmer & Stockbreeder" to do a serial for a picture page, four
drawings per week, but she declined. "I felt that the later books of the Peter Rabbit
series were becoming less spontaneous--an effort. I wrote
The Fairy Caravan and
Sister Anne with pleasure to amuse myself; but they were different, and they had not the same
appeal. Also
The Caravan was too local for general consumption ..." Describes trial sheepdogs as opposed to
the real working sheepdogs on the fells: "The trial dogs are models of obedience;
but useless on the fells where much of the dog's work is done out of sight of the
shepherd." Postscript: "The world seems to have gone mad. Have the nations already
forgotten the last war?"
|
1935 September 19 | RBD BP ALS P429rr |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. "Wonder if you have gone home? or whether you are in Italy."
Hears conditions in Italy are not too comfortable. "What a mess it all is. Your country
has shown better statesmanship than this...I have been lazy about any original work;
this Peter is an old illustration used again presumably on a Christmas card, at least
it was drawn a long time ago."
|
1935 December 15 | RBD BP ALS P429p |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 6
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. "I never felt so cold as that week our dear King George V
died." Much snow on uplands, which is very hard on sheep. "There is a lovely flock
and story in the
Pointed Firs by Sarah Orne Jewett...Her books grow upon me." Speaks of designing Christmas cards.
Discusses scheme for filming Peter Rabbit. Illustrates with a sketch her comments
on a Pekingese that she has. Speaks of Edward VIII's speech, and describes listening
to his father's funeral.
|
1936 March 1 | RBD BP ALS P429q |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 4
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Describes dismantling her parents' London house eight years
ago. "A number of our newspapers and politicians are possessed with lunacy. How could
we have fought Italy without sufficient ships or guns? Work is going forward feverishly
now." Enjoying her two Pekingeses, even though she "always dispised ! foreign dogs."
|
1936 July 13 | RBD BP ALS P429r |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 4
pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Page and a half devoted to her opinion of Edward VIII, who
"proved himself utterly unsuited to reign as a constitutional sovereign." Description
of the wild winter weather. "I hope you will like this card presumably here enclosed,
but no longer present, it's becoming difficult to invent yet another picture of Peter."
|
1936 December 16 | RBD BP ALS P429s |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 1
page Signed: Beatrix Heelis. "Will be such a pleasure to see you again...It does me good
to see you and I have been feeling old!...I have opened the book...Why are American
books so much fresher than ours?"
|
1937 July 6 | RBD BP ALS P429t |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Her opinion of the Japanese. "It is to be hoped that the United
States will realize what sort of neighbours the Japanese are likely to become in the
Pacific." Eighteen inches of snow at Sawrey - very hard on the sheep. Doings of a
sanitary inspector under New Housing Act have caused alarm in her neighborhood - he
would pull down half of Hawkshead. Her own low rooms and flagged kitchen floor are
against the rules. "I begin to feel old and stiff." More about Miss Owen, the eccentric
American with a house near Hawkshead. "I have not any rabbit card this year."
|
1937 December 14 | RBD BP ALS P429u |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 3
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. "Anything -- `nearly' anything -- may be better than war."
Her reaction to Hitler and Chamberlain, and to events in Czechoslovakia and elsewhere.
Summer has been wet and dismal. Price of sheep at sales is down. Book Mrs. Perry recently
sent her reminded Beatrix Potter of her brother's serious illness from snake bite;
just recently one of her Pekingeses had same experience. She herself is not at all
well. In postscript, comments on relationship between shingles and chicken pox. More
of her reaction to international situation. Rereading Sarah Orne Jewett's
The Country of the Pointed Firs. "I shall never go over the sea; but I think I would like the New England states."
|
1938 October 4 | RBD BP ALS P429v |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 1
page Signed: Beatrix Heelis. "Things are gloomy here; and full of foreboding." Enlarges
on this by comments on Hitler's successes and Chamberlain's weakness. "I sometimes
wonder if our immense defenceless towns would ever stand up to modern bombing." Postscript:
My critical verdict on the Yearling (presumably Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings's novel)
- splendid, but too painful for satisfaction.
|
1938 December 13 | RBD BP ALS P429w |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 3
pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. "What a very charming book you have sent to me this time."
(In pencil, not in autograph of Beatrix Potter: Eliz. Coatsworth, "Here I Stay.")
This book leads her to comment on difficulty in England of feeding sheep in long spells
of snow. Less anxiety now over international situation. Speaks of shelters and other
safety measures in England. Wonders what course Hitler will now follow, and fears
trouble from Japan. If Roosevelt "were steadier and more trusted at home - he would
have still more weight in the world." Speaks of death of her eccentric American friend,
Miss Owen, and wonders about her will.
|
1939 March 7 | RBD BP ALS P429x |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Womens Hospital, Catharine
Street, Liverpool, 2 pages with envelope A forwarding address to Boston, written in someone else's handwriting on a blue label,
is pasted over the original address. A postmark from Germantown Station, Philadelphia,
on back of envelope, is dated April 21, 1939. Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Good appetite
in hospital. Nervous about danger of being in Lancashire if war comes. "The Irish
bombings are very silly, little damage, but troublesome to the police." The surgeon
says she's cured, but "he told me last November that I was a particularly healthy
old woman? Four times on the table in 5 months??...Any further relapse is unlikely,
I was very sick & burst the stitches which delayed things a little."
|
1939 April 13 | RBD BP ALS P429y |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 6
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. More of her comments on Hitler, Chamberlain, and increasing
threat of war. "Have laid in a hoard of dog biscuits for our two little dogs," but
they decidedly prefer meat. Mentions visit to sheep farm at Troutbeck; then describes
her own cattle. Writes, at some length, about Elizabeth Coatsworth's
Here I Stay.
|
1939 July 3 | RBD BP ALS P429z |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. England beginning to have black-outs. She dislikes Chamberlain
more and more. One does not know whether to lay in stores or not. She has got in stores
of sugar and dog biscuits. "I am feeling much stronger now, able to get about and
get through some of the arrears of things that have not been attended to on the farms."
|
1939 August 24 | RBD BP ALS P429aa |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. "I have posted you the
Country Child," to which work the remarks that follow presumably refer. Refers also to
Dew on the Grass. Have just managed on their petrol ration so far. Petrol the only item thus far rationed.
"The mines menace is disquieting."
|
1939 November 26 | RBD BP ALS P429bb |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Comments again on Welsh background of book sent her by Mrs.
Perry, to which Beatrix Potter referred in her letter to Mrs. Perry of November 26,
1939. Discusses food supplies in England, and rationing thereof. "War looks like taking
a long time, it has spread so much." German air raids are not taken seriously. Appreciates
American sympathy, and happy at prospect of American help.
|
1940 January 5 | RBD BP ALS P429cc |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2
pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Concerned about royalties to be paid her on her books sold
in America. If war continues and things grow worse in England, wants either Mrs. Perry
or Mrs. Richard Stevens to receive and hold these royalties for her. "In the meantime
spring is lovely," and she describes its beauty briefly.
|
1940 May 28 | RBD BP ALS P429dd |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Concerning life and thought in England as the war progresses:
bitter feeling towards America; problems with evacuation of children; the danger of
"normal serenity." Looks back with disgust at Chamberlain and the 1938 crisis. "I
am very cripply, on a stick...but I will hobble about till it is ended."
|
1940 June 13 | RBD BP ALS P429ee |
||
| Telegram, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Hawkshead, 1 page Text of telegram reads: "Please cable Duke Hexham England undertaking maintain Jean
Duke aged sixteen Robert Tweedie eleven David Tweedie four for duration of war required
for passport." Sent by "Hellin" (sic). Presumably this refers to the possibility of
sending Beatrix Potter's cousin's children to the United States for safety during
World War II (they never left England). Cf. letters to Mrs. Perry for June 13, June
29, July 24, and August 14, 1940.
|
1940 June 26 | RBD BP ALS P429ss |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Two small portions have been cut from letter, presumably by
censor. Comments on various accounts of the bombings, on problems involved in sending
children to America, and on probability of American entry into war. Has evacuees at
Hill Top. Considering selling her mother's fine Brussels lace in America.
|
1940 June 29 | RBD BP ALS P429ff |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Thanking her presumably for her offer to help care for the
children of Beatrix Potter's cousin who were to be evacuated to America, but who have
been refused permission to go. English believe war will be long, but attitude now
one of confidence. Speaks of Dunkirk and of English indifference to air raids.
|
1940 July 24 | RBD BP ALS P429gg |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 4
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Again thanking her and Mrs. Richard Stevens for their willingness
to help in connection with evacuation to America of the children of Beatrix Potter's
cousin. (Evacuation never took place.) Writes at considerable length about life in
wartime England: bombings, food shortages, effect of war on young girls, evacuation
of children.
|
1940 August 14 | RBD BP ALS P429hh |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 4
pages with envelope Envelope postmarked 23 Dec 40. Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Renewal of air raids. Nobody
in England doubts that the Allies will win the war - they've got to! U-boat sinkings
are somewhat serious, since they threaten British food supply. Food-raising definitely
encouraged. "I have marketed just over a thousand sheep in the twelve months...I have
a very big stock of sheep & young cattle." Rereading some books, one or two having
been sent by Anne Carroll Moore. Likes Cornelia Meigs very much.
|
1940 December 24 | RBD BP ALS P429ii |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, Ambleside,
2 pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. All Christmas greetings from the U.S.A. have been belated,
and some lost probably due to the sinking of ships on the Atlantic. The last bomb
that she heard of fell into a receptacle for manure. "If it were not so painful to
think & know of the suffering which is taking place--a distant raid is rather fine--droning
of planes very high overhead, gunfire and shells like falling stars..." Says they
have been much healthier than last winter. Postscript: "I don't know about courage--it
seems to me the town populations have become like ants which continue to carry on
even while a gardener puts his foot upon their activities. They don't know fear."
|
1941 March 21 | RBD BP ALS P429tt |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. "Belgrade occupied - and can we save Greece? Surely Turkey
will have to fight; but I suppose if she intervenes - the Japs will attack America,
and Australia." Describes going through effects of her late eccentric American friend,
Miss Owen. More about air raids, the damage they have done, and reactions of people
to the raids. Tanks worse than bombing: "if German tanks got a hold in this island
- God help us!"
|
1941 April 14 | RBD BP ALS P429jj |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 4
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Outlines progress of war, and gives her reactions. "There
is no shortage of food. Sugar & fish and eggs are the scarce articles." Most evacuees
have gone home. Thinks it unwise to have taken children back to towns. Comments on
effect of war on morals of young, too high wages for factory workers, lax morals of
those in some of the women's services, and wild behavior of small boys of her neighborhood.
|
1941 November 11 | RBD BP ALS P429kk |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2
pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. "There is plenty in the barns," but bad weather has made harvesting
difficult. "I had more than 3 tons of wool to sell." Still nuisance air raids in south.
Plenty to eat, but not too much meat. Hopes she won't have to give up the Pekingeses.
Petrol strictly rationed; so gets around only to sales, such as sheep fairs, and to
looking after her properties.
|
1942 November 18 | RBD BP ALS P429LL |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 4
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Thanking her for Christmas parcel of food. "The war news is
heartening. Except the indignation against U.S.A. which is possibly more serious than
U.S.A. is aware of. Using tractor at Sawrey to make ploughing easier."
|
1943 January 23 | RBD BP ALS P429mm |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Marian Frazer Harris Perry. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2
pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Thanking her for Christmas remembrances, which included food.
"I had a bad time with bronchitis in September." She died of bronchitis on December
22. A cloudy, wet summer, but able to get hay in on her farm. Eggs scarce; other foods
now again available. Allowed to feed a small number of hens, and "a domestic pig."
Thankful and hopeful, when she thinks what has happened in other countries. "No such
thing as young servants - our elderly maid is faithful, but not strong."
|
1943 November 13 | RBD BP ALS P429nn |
||
| Envelopes sent to Marian Frazer Harris Perry and Mr. Richard Kingsbury Stevens, 2
envelopes Envelope addressed to Mrs. Perry is postmarked 15 May 42, and mailed from Ambleside,
Westmorland. Return address: H.B. Heelis, Sawrey, Ambleside, Westmorland. Envelope
addressed to Mr. Stevens is postmarked 15 Nov 1935, and mailed from Paddington London
W.2. Possibly from Mrs. Stevens, not Beatrix Potter. No return address. Stamp has
been torn off.
|
1935, 1942 | RBD BP ALS P429uu |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Miss Sharpley. Burley, Lyme Regis, 4 pages | 1904 April 18 | RBD BP ALS Sh23 |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Elizabeth Harris (later Elizabeth H. Stevens). Castle
Cottage, Sawrey, Ambleside, 4 pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Thanks her for sending the snapshot of Mrs. Perry and herself
(Beatrix Potter). "Your long-suffering aunty looks rather like an elderly sheep. But
I am more like a good tempered witch than a cow." Rare Book Department has three copies
of photograph classed with ephemera. Describes various agricultural shows in which
her livestock have taken prizes. "The sheep have been very successful in the female
classes; 16 first prizes, and several shows yet to come including Loweswater."
|
1930 September 4 | RBD BP ALS St47 |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Elizabeth H. Stevens. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, near Ambleside,
4 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Says it has been a great pleasure to see her aunt again over
the summer (Marian Frazer Harris Perry). Comments on photograph of Mrs. Stevens' daughter
Nonya, apparently received recently. Sheep sales have gone well. "You ask after cross
Mrs. P. Duck, she sat and she sat, & when I (at great peril) lifted her off her nest
in the haybarn--she was sitting on nothing. There had been an egg; whether she had
eaten it, or Samuel Whiskers--cannot say! But being emaciated by prolonged seclusion
& bad temper--she proceeded to die. She was of great unknown age. The previous summer
she hatched out one black chicken!! Now that is a story for Nonya when she can understand
it--but she had better start on Peter Rabbit--yet another generation of Peter's friends."
|
1933 December 14 | RBD BP ALS St47b |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Elizabeth H. Stevens. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, near Ambleside,
4 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Most of the letter deals with Mr. and Mrs. Stevens' upcoming
visit in August, and which hotels would be best for their visit. Says that she and
Mr. Heelis are taking a trip soon: "... neither of us have slept out of the house
since last August; and it is no rest to me as I am a bad traveller by car and always
relieved to get it over--I am beginning to feel very old."
|
1935 June 13 | RBD BP ALS St47c |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Elizabeth H. Stevens. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, Ambleside,
4 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Congratulates her on the upcoming birth of a sibling for Nonya,
Mrs. Stevens' daughter. "Will Dick please send a line--if only one line-- Tell him
I got out some little knitted shoes yesterday, made by my mother when 89, and thought--shall
I send one for luck ..." Discusses preparation for possible war: "The work of ship
building & guns is proceeding at a great pace now ... The German airship has been
over this way ... I suppose it had a look at the shipyards at Barrow-in-Furness."
|
1936 July 13 | RBD BP ALS St47d |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Elizabeth H. and Richard Kingsbury Stevens. Castle Cottage,
Sawrey, near Ambleside, 6 pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Congratulates them on the birth of a new baby. Reports that
it has been a very wet season and that much hay has been left in the fields. Has had
many American visitors, including one named Ivy Steel and her daughter June. "It was
the first time I had ever heard the native accent of Bronx. I am tempted to say I
hope I may never hear that accent again." Describes other visitors from Boston, but
regretted not seeing Mrs. Perry, Mrs. Stevens' aunt.
|
1936 September 10 | RBD BP ALS St47e |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Elizabeth H. and Richard Kingsbury Stevens. Castle Cottage,
Sawrey, Ambleside, 2 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Most of the letter discusses impending war. "We were not in
personal danger here amongst the misty hills and valleys, but the outlook is pretty
bad for this country." Says that Mr. Heelis "gets wet and sneezes" and that she has
had lumbago and sciatica. Talks about Dick's bout with shingles and says that Mr.
Heelis still feels the effects of his case of shingles ten years ago. Mentions road
improvements in the district. Postscript: "Why oh why such dislike of Roosevelt?!
Not that I know or care! but I hope if he were beaten it would not mean that the States
would be still more stand-offish? If we are doomed to be destroyed by the Fascists--your
western cities will be in danger from Japan."
|
1938 December 11 | RBD BP ALS St47f |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Elizabeth H. and Richard Kingsbury Stevens. Castle Cottage,
Sawrey, Ambleside, 2 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Has received "your pleasant message" and a photograph of the
Stevens' two children from 1938. Reminisces about Mrs. Stevens' visit to the Lake
District several years before. Discusses war, and says that two daughters of a favorite
cousin Stephanie Duke may be sent to Canada or the U.S.A. if conditions continue to
worsen. "... any 'evacuating' would be done through consuls & officially--but if they
ever have to go--I would give them the names of some of my good friends in the U.S.A.
in case they require advice." Describes severe, snowy winter and says that she and
Mr. Heelis have had the flu: "... I stopped in bed through the cold weather--of course
getting up, but mostly like Mr. John Dormouse--'very snug.'" Had an operation and
says she is "rather crippled, though still smiling and very busy."
|
1940 May 25 | RBD BP ALS St47g |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Elizabeth H. and Richard Kingsbury Stevens. Castle Cottage,
Sawrey, Ambleside, Westmorland, 2 pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Discusses the bombing of cities in Britain, and some isolated
bombs nearby: "There was however, another wandering 'visitor' last night, who unloaded
15 bombs on wasteland, ten miles off--and I never woke up!" Talks about weather, and
says she is going to dry some apple rings "in the American way." Says that "Wm's habit
of snoring is very tiresome. I have put up with it for many years, but it drowns the
noise of approaching planes!"
|
1940 September 19 | RBD BP ALS St47h |
||
| Autograph letter, to an unknown recipient. Castle Cottage, Sawrey, Ambleside, 1 page Not signed. Letter of recommendation for William Bell, Beatrix Potter's horseman and
general farm worker at Troutbeck Park sheep farm. He was in her service for 10 1/2
years, and wished to leave her service "for a change."
|
1942 October 23 | RBD BP ALS Z999 |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Millie Warne. Lingholme, Keswick, 4 pages Signed: Beatrix Potter. Went across to Keswick in the boat, and on Friday went to
Carlisle to do some shopping. "The harvest was being cut all along the railway, the
barley looked so beautiful & golden ... I am intending to go to Sawrey on Thursday
next for a week ... I had rather a row with a plumber--or perhaps I ought to say I
lost my temper!--the men have been very good so far, if he won't take orders from
a lady I may pack him off & get one from Kendal..." Says she will try to visit her
in London in September: "... it would be a very long time if I didn't see you all
until November." Discusses plans to spend a month at Sawrey, and intentions to visit
an uncle in Wales.
|
1906 August 27 | RBD BP ALS W241 |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Millie Warne. Gwaynynog, near Denbigh, N.W. printed, 4
pages Signed: Beatrix Potter. Talks of Millie's family, the weather, and her journey to
her uncle's home in Wales, where she is writing from. "It is warmer here--what it
will be like in the course of the evening I tremble to think, for there is an immense
fire in the gameroom, which my uncle inhabits. It is a little panelled room very snug
in winter; so I shall proceed to draw one of the guns after supper." Of her uncle
Fred Burton?: "Considering he is over 80 & has been run over this summer I think he
is as wonderful as your mother! He is very deaf." Mentions some bulbs she would like
posted to Sawrey: "I shall like so much to have them, it is so nice to have plants
from places one knows or with some association." Expects to leave Tuesday when her
Uncle Fred returns to Manchester. Mourning stationery.
|
1906 September | RBD BP ALS W241b |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Millie Warne. Sawry, Amberslide, 4 pages | 1906 October 17 | RBD BP ALS W241j |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Millie Warne. Hilton, Sidmouth, 4 pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Potter. Most of the letter discusses the illness of Louisa Warne,
Millie's mother. "I am dreadfully sorry to hear that your Mother's cold has turned
into bronchitis, one cannot be much surprised in such shocking weather. Melting snow
is worse than anything ... I should think she had had influenza too ... My father
had it that way ... I shall be very glad to get home, my parents intend to stay till
Thursday, hoping for some warmer days ... I wonder how my poor lambs are getting on,
in the snow. The trees are a little greener since the rain yesterday, but everything
is getting spoilt, the young fern leaves are quite blackened with the frost ..."
|
1908 April 24 | RBD BP ALS W241c |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Millie Warne. Hilton, Sidmouth, 4 pages Signed: Beatrix Potter. Letter of condolence on hearing of the death of Millie's mother,
Louisa Warne. "I don't feel as if I know how to write to you in your dreadful loss.
I wish you had Norman Warne to help you ... You will all your life have the comfort
of remembering you have been the most devoted good daughter ... But it is rather early
to talk dry common-sense. Though I do not know how to say it I am sure you know how
much I sympathize with you and Edith Millie's sister, and all of you."
|
1908 April 26 | RBD BP ALS W241d |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Millie Warne. Hill Top Farm, Sawrey, Ambleside, 4 pages Signed: Beatrix Potter. Regrets that she was unable to visit before she went north.
"How unlucky you have not let your house. I hear people say they are not letting well
this season, in spite of the coronation ... I came through perfect blizzards yesterday,
the snow did not lie however ... I am intending to stay over the weekend and then
join my parents at the Windermere hotel, but I really don't think it will be fit for
them to come if the weather does not change ... There are a good many polyanthuses
but everything is pinched and shrivelled, except the violets which happen to be at
the foot of a wall. There are quantities of lambs, extremely lively & pretty, and
two calves have arrived since I came yesterday."
|
1911 April 6 | RBD BP ALS W241e |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Millie Warne. Lindeth How, Windermere, 4 pages Signed: Beatrix Potter. Mostly talks of her stay in the Lake District. "It has been
a lovely summer--it was rather warm in the cornfield; but except on two days there
has always been a breeze and now it is quite sharp at nights ... I go over to Sawrey
about 4 days a week ... We have not been reduced to potatoes here, but the grass is
very short, and many neighbors have been carrying water--my two pump wells held out
... Chickens have done well. I got two young turkeys, but one of them died suddenly
last week, I think it had got hurt by the horse, or cattle. The strike caused a good
deal of inconvenience to visitors who were stranded in lodgings, and they all seemed
to go away when they could, it looks rather deserted in Bowness."
|
1911 September 3 | RBD BP ALS W241f |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Millie Warne. Hill Top Farm Sawrey, Ambleside, 1 page
with newspaper clipping Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Letter discusses her recent marriage to William Heelis, and
she includes a newspaper clipping with the wedding announcement. "I am sending you
belated cake, which I hadn't courage to do before! Thank you so very much for your
kind letter ... I am very happy, & in every way very satisfied with Willie--It is
best now not to look back. But I can assure you I shall always remain yrs very aff."
Refers to her earlier engagement to Millie's brother Norman, who died before they
could marry.
|
1913 October 21 | RBD BP ALS W241g |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Millie Warne. 2 Bolton Gardens, South Kensington, London
S.W. embossed, 4 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Regrets being unable to meet Millie later that day, and says
she will try to visit while she is in town. "My mother is just expecting a new parlourmaid
and counts on my being at hand." Writes about a correspondent in New Zealand, with
whom Fred (presumably Millie's nephew, Fred Warne) might want to meet while he is
travelling. "I have often had a curiosity to know what she is like, & probably she
returns the compliment." Talks of being separated from her husband: "I feel very dumpy
without my husband, it was hard luck to have to leave, after only a fortnight; he
is coming up for me on Saturday. Now if you want to get me a nice useful present that
I shall always use & remember you by--get me Mrs. Beeton's cookery, please, & write
my name in it!"
|
1913 November 3 | RBD BP ALS W241h |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Millie Warne. Sawrey, Ambleside, 4 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Written shortly after the outbreak of W.W.I. "I have wondered
where you have been in these anxious times? perhaps with Edith (Millie's sister)--it
cannot be very pleasant in London. My mother is not going back, she has taken a small
unfurnished house in this village; and my old Aunt ... has taken the house next to
it ... It is the best plan ... but it does keep me on the trot. I have had rather
a hard summer, I feel very well but a bit thinner. The war is very horrid; the news
is better now but it must entail awful slaughter ... William put down his name as
a special constable ... There seems no place for 'volunteers,' it is enlistment or
nothing ... I have felt too busy & occupied 'worried' crossed out with relations to
write letters..."
|
1914 September 11 | RBD BP ALS W241i |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Mary Wilkinson. Castle Cottage, Sawry, Ambleside, 1 page
with envelope Signed Beatrix Heelis.
|
1930 September 19 | RBD BP ALs W654 |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Miss Kate Wyatt. Sawrey, 4 pages Signed: Beatrix Heelis. "Beatrix Potter." Second signature does not appear to be Beatrix
Potter's autograph. Greatly appreciates help Miss Wyatt has given Ivy Hunt, an orphan
whose mother Beatrix Potter knew. "I am sorry again I have no new little book: my
eyes have failed very much; and somehow since the war I have never felt as if I could
concentrated my attention on drawing, there is a great deal of work in the illustrations.
It is much easier for me to attend to real live pigs & rabbits."
|
1920 November 15 | RBD BP ALS W97 |
||
| Autograph letter signed, to Miss Kate Wyatt. Sawrey, 2 pages with envelope Signed: Beatrix Heelis. Thanking her for a print. Most of the letter concerns Beatrix
Potter's adventures, in her youth, with taming mice. "White mice are too prolific;
but 'Hunca Munca' firmly refused to have any family."
|
1920 November 27 | RBD BP ALS W97b |
||
| Greeting cards, 27 items | circa 1925-1939 | 1 |
1-3 |
|
| Manuscripts | ||||
| The Fairy Caravan, corrected manuscript of preface, 2 pages | circa 1929 | RBD BP MSS 94-869 |
||
| How to Lose Furry Friends manuscript and note, 4 pages | undated | RBD BP MSS 94-73 |
||
| Journal segment in code, photostat and manuscript Transcription by Potter collector and scholar Leslie Linder.
|
1956 | 1 |
4 |
|
| On Watercolor, 2 pages Remarks by B. Potter, G. March and R. Mason, together with 2 original watercolors
by Potter and 11 original illustrations.
|
1914 April | RBD BP MSS 2007-13 |
||
|
The Tale of Little Pig Robinson manuscript, 54 leaves with note Original manuscript includes twenty-nine pen and ink illustrations, with note (probably
to Alexander McKay) at end of manuscript. Illustrations cataloged individually.
|
circa 1930 | RBD BP MSS 65-148 |
||
| The Tale of Pigling Bland, corrected proof, 94 pages | 1913 | RBD BP MSS 81-1075 |
||
|
The Tailor of Gloucester manuscript, 116 pages Original manuscript and twelve watercolor illustrations, one pen and ink illustration,
and one correction on separate scrap of paper. Illustrations and presentation letter
are cataloged separately.
|
1901 December 25 | RBD BP MSS 97-528 |
||
| Photographs | ||||
| Photographs of Beatrix Potter, her family, and John Bright, 3 photographs in bound volume | circa 1870-1892 | 4 |
13 |
|
| Photographs of Beatrix Potter, Bertram Potter, Hill Top, etc., 6 items | circa 1875-1902 | 5 |
5 |
|
| Photographs of Beatrix Potter in Sawrey, 4 items | circa 1875-1915 | 5 |
6 |
|
| Photocopy of a photograph taken by Beatrix Potter, of T. R. Fildes and a cow, with photocopy of letter, 2 items | circa 1910-1930 | 5 |
7 |
|
| Photograph of Beatrix Potter at Hill Top, 1 item | circa 1913 | 5 |
8 |
|
| Photograph of Beatrix Potter and Marian Frazer Harris Perry, 3 copies | 1930 | 5 |
9 |
|
| Photograph of Delmar Banner's portrait of Beatrix Potter, with note, 2 items | 1958 | 1 |
5 |
|
| Photograph of Beatrix Potter with her pet rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, on leash, 1 item | undated | 5 |
10 |
|
| Collectibles and ephemera For more details on any of the collectibles in our collection, please contact the
Rare Book Department.
|
||||
| Artwork related to Beatrix Potter | ||||
| "Anglo Saxon attitudes," pen and ink and pencil studies, 2 pages Pen and ink and pencil studies; unsigned and undated. Studies are done on letterhead,
with "20, Kensington Palace Gardens, W." in red. Inscription on page 2: "Anglo Saxon
attitudes."
|
undated | RBD BP ART/C 9 |
||
| Painting of Mrs. Tittlemouse, on wood, 1 page Depicts Mrs. Tittlemouse entering doorway, holding a broom.
|
undated | RBD BP ART/C 1 |
||
| Pen and ink and pencil sketch of a boy asleep on a step with mice, 1 page Pen and ink and pencil sketch; unsigned and undated.
|
undated | RBD BP ART/C 2 |
||
| Pen and ink and pencil sketches of a man on horseback, people walking, and a young
lady, 2 pages Pen and ink and pencil sketches; inscribed "WBP, Jan 30 85" on page 2. Sketches are
done on folded letterhead, with "Gorse Hall, Staley Bridge" printed on page 1.
|
1885 January 30 | RBD BP ART/C 8 |
||
| Pen and ink and pencil sketches of medieval scenes and landscapes, 2 pages Pen and ink and pencil sketches; unsigned and undated. Studies are done on folded
letterhead, with "20 Kensington Palace Gardens, W." printed in red. Studies of flowers
are on page 2; all other sketches are on page 1.
|
undated | RBD BP ART/C 10 |
||
| Pen and ink and pencil sketches of people, 1 page Pen and ink and pencil sketches; unsigned and undated.
|
undated | RBD BP ART/C 5 |
||
| Pen and ink and pencil sketches of people in 18th-century dress, 1 page Three pen and ink and pencil sketches; unsigned and undated. One sketch depicts a
lady seated, one depicts a lady standing, and one depicts a seated couple.
|
undated | RBD BP ART/C 4 |
||
| Pen and ink and pencil sketch of a woman in 18th-century dress, 1 page Pen and ink and pencil sketch; unsigned and undated.
|
undated | RBD BP ART/C 6 |
||
| Pen and ink and pencil sketch of a woman and cloaked figure, 1 page Pen and ink and pencil sketch; signed "WBP;" undated.
|
undated | RBD BP ART/C 7 |
||
| Pen and ink sketches of people in 18th-century dress and two sketches of dogs, 1 page Pen and ink sketches; inscribed "WBP, Decem 84." Paper embossed with a design of a
black dragon.
|
1884 December | RBD BP ART/C 3 |
||
| Assorted realia, 20 items Includes apparel buttons, bronze figurine, candle holders, keychains, lunchbox, pencils,
pins, postage stamps, tin basin, and window stickers.
|
1976-2002 | 19 6 1 |
6 |
|
| Calendars, 9 items Includes appointment books and monthly calendars featuring Potter's characters, both
unauthorized and unauthorized.
|
1974-2003 | 21 |
||
| Engagement diaries, 4 items | 1991-2002 | 5 |
1-4 |
|
| Games, 8 items | 1913 and undated | 15 6 19 |
||
| Infant clothes and accessories, 6 items | undated | 20 |
||
| Jigsaw puzzles, 19 puzzles Most of these puzzles produced based on Beatrix Potter's characters were officially
licensed by Frederick Warne & Co, although some are unlicensed piracies.
|
undated | 6-14 |
||
| Novelty books, 21 items This file include coloring books, cut-outs and paper dolls, paint-by-numbers, and
sticker books.
|
1916-2002 | 16 6 |
||
| Ornaments, 4 items | 1987-1988 | 19 |
||
| Peter Rabbit 100th anniversary kit Frederick Warne & Co. sent this kit to bookstores to commemorate the one hundredth
anniversary of
The Tale of Peter Rabbit. It includes mobiles, paper rabbit ears, balloons, flyers, bookmarks, streamers,
and display stands, along with biographical information about Beatrix Potter, photographs,
and a list of events scheduled to commemorate the anniversary.
|
1992 | 23 4 |
2 |
|
| "Peter Rabbit and his friends" wallpaper, 11 sheets | 1952 | 6 |
||
| Picture book parade: Filmstrips based on outstanding children's books. Weston, Conn.: Weston Woods, 5 filmstrips with booklets | circa 1970 | 17 |
||
| Porcelain figurines, 152 items Beatrix Potter's characters are represented (often in several versions) in a large
collection of porcelain figurines, primarily produced by Beswick and Royal Albert.
|
1948-2002 | |||
| Postcards and stationery, 127 items The stationery includes greeting cards, note cards, and postcards primarily depicting
characters from Beatrix Potter's books. One folder of postcards consists of those
sent to the Rare Book Department and its librarians.
|
1929-2002 | 2 1 |
1-2 7-15 |
|
| Posters, 18 items | undated | 21-22 |
||
| Shopping bag from B. Altman & Company | 1972 | 4 |
3 |
|
| Sound books, 5 items | circa 1945-2002 | 19 |
||
| Stuffed toys and dolls, 4 items | undated | 20 |
||
| Wedgwood china plates, 3 items | 1985-2000 | 17 |
||
| World of Beatrix Potter: 18 Beatrix Potter milk & white chocolate miniature figures. London: Kinnerton Confectionery, 1 box | 1995 | 17 |
||
| Reference materials | ||||
| Adaptations, 4 items | 1967-1971 | 2 |
3 |
|
| Beatrix Potter Colloquium, Free Library of Philadelphia | 16 October 1966 | |||
| Clippings Includes two articles: "How Peter Rabbit made Beatrix Potter famous and vice versa"
and "Our library's love affair with artist-author."
|
2 |
4 |
||
| Colloquium recordings, 7 cassette tapes Includes a presentation by children's book author and illustrator Maurice Sendak.
|
18 |
|||
| Colloquium recordings, 2 reel-to-reel tapes | 18 |
|||
| Colloquium recording, 1 CD-R | 18 |
|||
| Invitations and keepsake, 4 items | 2 |
5 |
||
| Beatrix Potter exhibitions | ||||
| "Beatrix Potter: Artist and Storyteller," The Pierpont Morgan Library These pamphlets, photographs, and press releases were produced by the Morgan Library
for its exhibition, on view May 12 - August 21, 1988.
|
1988 | 2 |
6 |
|
| Beatrix Potter centenary exhibitions in Philadelphia Exhibitions included: "The World of Peter Rabbit: the Art & Science of Beatrix Potter"
at the Academy of Natural Sciences; "Peter Rabbit's Friends" and "Contemporary Peter
Rabbit" at the Free Library of Philadelphia; and "Beatrix Potter: The Philadelphia
Connection" by the Beatrix Potter Society. The exhibitions were informally known as
"Peter Rabbit on the Parkway." Materials include bookmarks, buttons, clippings, flyers,
invitations, postcards, and press releases.
|
1992 | 2 |
7-9 |
|
|
Cottontails and Corgis: The Children's Books of Beatrix Potter and Tasha Tudor, exhibition
checklist This printout reproduces the exhibition labels for The Morgan Library & Museum's Beatrix
Potter and Tasha Tudor exhibition, which was on view October 11, 2001 through January
27, 2002.
|
2001-2002 | 2 |
10 |
|
| Exhibition publicity Includes publicity and checklists from Beatrix Potter exhibitions throughout the United
States.
|
1966-2004 | 2 |
11-13 |
|
| Peter Rabbit and Friends in the Garden, Longwood Gardens | 1998 | 2 |
14 |
|
| "Through the Garden Gate: The World of Beatrix Potter," Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 16 items | 1992 | 2 |
15 |
|
| The World of Beatrix Potter, Frederick Warne | 1976 | 4 |
4 |
|
| Beatrix Potter Society | circa 1985-2002 | 3 |
1 |
|
| Catalogs | 1968-2003 | 3 |
2-3 |
|
| Clippings and periodicals | 1952-2004 | 3 4 |
4-9 5-6 |
|
| Certificates of authenticity and donor notes, 12 items | 1959-1966 | 4 |
7 |
|
| Correspondence related to the Free Library of Philadelphia's Potter collection, 7 pages | 1955-1966 | 4 |
8 |
|
| "Index to the Second Edition of Beatrix Potter's Journal," compiled by Elaine R. Jacobsen, 31 pages | 1999 | 4 |
9 |
|
| Lot of papers relating to the tenancy of "The Castle." Sawrey, Ambleside, 6 items, 2 photographs | 1922-1957 | 4 |
10 |
|
| Obituaries for Beatrix Potter, 2 items | 1944 January | 4 |
11 |
|
| Records of auction sales, 1 volume Handwritten ledger with lists of items sold at auction sales in the Lake District,
including a 1921 entry for "Mrs. Heelis."
|
circa 1921 | 4 |
12 |
Table of Contents
- Summary Information
- Biography/History
- Scope and Contents
- Arrangement
- Administrative Information
- Related Materials
- Controlled Access Headings
- Collection Inventory (+)
Location
Rare Book Department:
Third Floor, Central Library
Hours of Operation
Weekdays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tours of the department are available Monday through Friday at 11 a.m., or at other times by prior arrangement
Contact
215-686-5416