Beatrix Potter collectables to be auctioned on 150th birthday of the author

Rabbit, is to under the hammer at an auction dedicated to the favourite children's author on the 150th anniversary of her birth.

Dreweatts and Bloomsbury Auctions in London will host the event on Beatrix Potter's birthday, July 28.

A large share of the lots come from the collection of Lake District resident John Cawood. The collection comprises of almost 100 pieces, including first editions and works on paper amassed since 1972.

Mr Cawood, is a prominent member of the Beatrix Potter Society who developed a passion for Beatrix Potter’s tales as a child.

His collection started with a fine copy of Mrs Tiggy Winkle and for the next 40 years he set about trying to achieve ‘a complete

set of first editions of the author's ‘little books’.

Mr Cawood always strived to buy the best condition of any title

and the sale presents an excellent opportunity for new collectors to acquire some of the best examples of Beatrix Potter's work.

Headlining the sale is a first issue of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, one of the most important children's books of the twentieth century. It is one of only 250 copies ever made and has an estimate of £25,000 to £35,000.
The book established Beatrix Potter on as a popular children's author and illustrator.

The lot has a colour frontispiece and 41 full-page line drawings by

the author as well as the original grey-green boards lettered and illustrated in black. It is classed as an exceptional example of the true first printing of the icon book, which was privately printed at the behest of the author by Strangeways in December, 1901.

Also included in the auction is a rare and charming chromolithograph Christmas Card of Two Mice in a Coconut, estimated at £600 to £800.

Two notable lots relate to the quintessential 'cat and mouse tale' - The Story of Miss Moppet. An original watercolour design for the mouse, from circa 1906 and autographed by Potter and featuring instructions in pencil is estimate at £8,000 to £12,000.

Also for sale is a first edition of The Story of Miss Moppet in panoramic format, comprising 14 colour illustrations. This is one of only two panoramic Peter Rabbit titles aimed at younger children and issued for Christmas, the estimate is £400 to £600.