Abstract
The Beatrix Potter Collection Priscilla A. Ord Tucked away carefully in the Rare Book Room of the Free Library of Philadelphia is the largest collection of original Beatrix Potter drawings in the United States. The greater portion of this enviable holding is the result of two separate and generous bequests. The first, the gift of Mr. H. Bacon Collamore, includes a complete set of first edition copies of all of Miss Potter's printed books and a nearly complete set of first editions of those volumes which have been printed in America, along with numerous pencil and water color sketches of rural scenes, animals, and fungi. The original manuscript of Little Pig Robinson and a notebook containing the Tailor of Gloucester in manuscript form with preliminary drawing are also a part of this gift. The second important part of the Beatrix Potter Collection is a number of autographed letters, some of which are illustrated, and several early examples of Miss Potter's Christmas cards and post cards. These were donated to the library by Mrs. Richard K. Stevens. A set of porcelain figurines depicting Beatrix Pottei creatures, Peter Rabbit among them, was a gift of the Royal Dalton Company who manufactures them. This nucleus of Beatrix Potter treasures is supplemented by magazine articles on Miss Potter and her works; authorized and unauthorized reprints of The Tale of Peter Rabbit and other tales, some with illustrations by other artists; continuations by other authors of a few of Miss Potter's stories, Peter Rabbit and His Pa for example; and other memorabilia featuring her creations, including wrapping paper, puzzles, portraits, coloring books, and so forth. Due to the value of the Beatrix Potter Collection, it is preserved for the purpose of scholarly research and is not available to the general public. A portion of the works, however, was on loan during 1977, as part of an exhibit entitled Peter Rabbit and Other Tales: Art from the World of Beatrix Potter. The exhibit appeared in three cities: New York (Grey Art Gallery, New York University), 4/1-5/14; Toronto (Toronto Public Library), 6/17-7/9; and Boston (Museum of Fine Arts), 8/16-10/16. [End Page 11] Click for larger view View full resolution Copyright © 1978 ChLA Newsletter
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