February 2020 Auction Ends Thursday, February 27th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/27/2020
Beatrix Potter autograph letter signed, dated 15 April 1914 on stationery blind-embossed with her home, ''Sawrey Ambleside''. She writes to Millie Warne, the sister of Potter's first fiance and publisher Norman Warne, who died in 1905. In this letter, Potter reflects on the ill health of her father, who would die later that year. Interestingly, she also mentions her brother Walter whose relationship with their father was troubled. Like Beatrix Potter, their parents disapproved of his marriage, but Walter was even cut out of the family will due to his marriage to Mary Scott, a former mill worker. Letter reads in full,
''My dear Milly, Thank you so much for your nice parcel, what a lovely card case! It will be my very best for state calls. The sweets are quite professional - I wonder how they can be kept in shape while sticky. I have seen a pastry cake 'icing' so I have an idea how the flowers are made; but it always looks so sticky to do. They taste very good. I am going to do a bit of fancy cooking this afternoon - but not from 'Mrs. Beeton', a 'herb pudding', which is a local dish of nettles, & various spring leaves, it is very good when properly assorted. The garden is so pretty now, the daffodyls & spring flowers are just coming out. I only stopped 2 nights in London last time, as my father seemed a little better, & I wanted very much to go to Appleby, where we have spent a pleasant weekend with his sisters, two oldish ladies, who live in the family house. Willie got some good days fishing, but it was uncommonly cold, such a wind. It is very pretty country, not quite so hilly as this, we came back yesterday evening. I don't know how long I can stay away, it depends on my brother's plans, it is not fair to leave my mother very long. She feels the anxiety very much, & sometimes imagines he is worse than he is - But it can only have one end; he may be tapped once or twice again but every time he will be weaker. It is a miserable state, I do not think the pain is great, but there is so much discomfort; and sickness at times. Your little parcel follows me to Appleby, or I should have written sooner. It is rather amusing to hear of a present still on the way! I feel as if I had been married many years. The house is almost un[?]able as the 'rough cast' is being done all over the front; the old plaster was not good, I wanted it all alike. Give my love to Edith, I hope you & the girls will have this splendid weather, it will get them right again; sorry to hear of Jennie's rheumatism. With love yrs aff / Beatrix Heelis.'' Four page letter on bifolium, card-style stationery measures 4.5'' x 7''. Fold, and light toning and soiling. Very good plus condition.
Beatrix Potter Autograph Letter Signed -- ''...I don't know how long I can stay away, it depends on my brother's plans, it is not fair to leave my mother very long. She feels the anxiety...''
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