Beatrix Potter signed ICAA greeting card [Invalid Children’s Aid Association] to Caroline Clark [her cousin Caroline Clark (nee Hutton)], Peter Rabbit illustration laid down on card, with 'Copyright' and ' F. W. & Co, Ltd. below, gilt lettered 'Greetings', inscribed 'To Caroline Clark from Beatrix Potter, Christmas 1927', 14.3cm x 10.3cm
Footnote:
The second of Potter's greetings cards for the ICAA. The image almost replicates that in the frontispiece to 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit', however, in this version Peter's head is more visible. By repute, a child had written to Beatrix Potter complaining that Peter could hardly be seen, so Potter redrew the design to 'make amends' for the version used here.
A similar example is in the V&A, Linder Bequest catalogue no. LB 1798.
Caroline Clark (nee Hutton) was a beloved cousin and confidante of Beatrix Potter's and they regularly exchanged letters.
Potter had confided to Clark in a letter dated November 1943, only weeks before her death, of the existence of her youthful journal written in secret code “I used to write long-winded descriptions, hymns (!) and records of conversations in a kind of cipher shorthand.”
Between 1925 and 1941 Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) helped to raise money through the International Children's Aid Association (ICAA) for “Peter Rabbit beds” for infirm children in hospitals. She produced around two dozen different card designs for sale which featured animals in heartwarming and homely scenes.
Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) is one of the world's best-loved children's authors and illustrators. She wrote the majority of the twenty-three original Peter Rabbit books between 1901 and 1913. The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Frederick Warne, 1902) is her most famous and best-loved tale.
Beatrix Potter signed ICAA greeting card [Invalid Children’s Aid Association] to Caroline Clark [her cousin Caroline Clark (nee Hutton)], Peter Rabbit illustration laid down on card, with 'Copyright' and ' F. W. & Co, Ltd. below, gilt lettered 'Greetings', inscribed 'To Caroline Clark from Beatrix Potter, Christmas 1927', 14.3cm x 10.3cm
The second of Potter's greetings cards for the ICAA. The image almost replicates that in the frontispiece to 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit', however, in this version Peter's head is more visible. By repute, a child had written to Beatrix Potter complaining that Peter could hardly be seen, so Potter redrew the design to 'make amends' for the version used here.
A similar example is in the V&A, Linder Bequest catalogue no. LB 1798.
Caroline Clark (nee Hutton) was a beloved cousin and confidante of Beatrix Potter's and they regularly exchanged letters.
Potter had confided to Clark in a letter dated November 1943, only weeks before her death, of the existence of her youthful journal written in secret code “I used to write long-winded descriptions, hymns (!) and records of conversations in a kind of cipher shorthand.”
Between 1925 and 1941 Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) helped to raise money through the International Children's Aid Association (ICAA) for “Peter Rabbit beds” for infirm children in hospitals. She produced around two dozen different card designs for sale which featured animals in heartwarming and homely scenes.
Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) is one of the world's best-loved children's authors and illustrators. She wrote the majority of the twenty-three original Peter Rabbit books between 1901 and 1913. The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Frederick Warne, 1902) is her most famous and best-loved tale.
Condition information is not provided as standard in the description of a lot but is available upon request; where possible we will also supply additional images with a condition report.
All Lots are offered for sale in the condition they are in at the time of the sale. You acknowledge that many Lots are of an age and type such that they are not in perfect condition. Catalogue descriptions and condition reports may refer to imperfections of a Lot, but Lots may have other faults not expressly referred to in the Catalogue or condition report. Illustrations are for identification purposes only and may not convey full information as to the actual condition of a Lot. You accept responsibility for carrying out your own inspections and investigations of Lots in which you may be interested. You should inspect a Lot before bidding to determine and to satisfy yourself as to its condition, size, description and whether it has been repaired or restored, as applicable. We accept bids on Lots solely on this basis. Condition reports may be available to assist when inspecting Lots. Lots will be available for viewing in person at our premises or another location and viewing information will be available on our website.
IN PERSON BIDS
To be able to bid at a Chorley’s auction, you must register and obtain a paddle number from our office. If you have not bid with us before, you will be asked to provide proof of identity and residence, such as driver's licence photocard, or passport and current proof of address.
COMMISSION BIDS
If you cannot attend the auction in person to bid, you can submit a commission bid with our office no less than one hour before the start of an auction. Commission bids are the maximum amount up to which the auctioneer may bid on your behalf (exclusive of Buyer’s Premium and VAT, which will be added to your invoice if successful). They will be executed at the lowest possible price having regard to any reserve and competing bids. If two buyers submit identical commission bids, the auctioneers will give preference to the first bid received. The auctioneer will execute commission bids directly from the rostrum, clearly identifying the successful bid as commission bid.
Commission bids may be left in person, by telephone or by email. All bids submitted are regarded as acknowledgement that the bidder has read and accepts Chorley's Conditions of Business and will submit any specific personal details requested to verify their intention and ability to comply with those conditions (see also Registration).
Execution of commission bids is a free service undertaken subject to other commitments at the time of the sale and we do not accept liability in an individual instance for failing to execute a written bid or for errors and omissions in connection with it, arising from circumstances beyond our reasonable control.
TELEPHONE BIDS
At Chorley's discretion, usually for lots estimated to realise £500 or more, we offer prospective buyers the facility to bid over the telephone, subject to availability of lines/staff. Telephone bids must be booked no later than 4pm on the day prior to the auction. Bidders will be required to provide two telephone numbers, in case one line is busy or unobtainable at the time of the auction. They will also be asked to supply a covering bid for each lot for which they propose to bid; this will only be executed in the event that our staff are unable to reach the bidder on the telephone number provided at the time the lot is offered for sale.
This is a free service undertaken subject to other commitments at the time of the sale and we cannot accept liability in an individual instance for failing to execute a telephone bid or for errors and omissions in connection with it, arising from circumstances beyond our reasonable control. Telephone bids may be recorded for security purposes and, by bidding on the telephone, prospective buyers consent to the recording of their conversation.
ONLINE BIDS
Chorley's sales offer prospective buyers the facility to bid live online through our website and The-Saleroom.com.
The Saleroom - Additional live bidding platform fee 5% (6% incl. VAT).
Chorley's Live - Live Bidding if offered at no extra charge
Bidders will be approved and activated for live online bidding at our discretion. By registering to bid in our auction through these online platforms, you confirm that you are resident at the address supplied and that you are the authorised user of the card used for registration. This service is offered subject to Chorley's Terms and Conditions and those of The Saleroom, as stated on their website. Chorley's cannot be held responsible for any failure or delay in online bidding technology which results in bids failing to reach the auctioneer or reaching the auctioneer after the hammer has fallen, neither are we responsible for incorrect information provided by the bidding platforms regarding the success of internet bids. Please do not assume you have been successful until you receive an emailed invoice from Chorley's, as all results have to be verified at the end of the auction.
Auction: The Christmas Auction 2025, 9th Dec, 2025
Viewing
Sunday 7 December | 12pm - 3pm
Monday 8 December | 9am - 4pm
Full Terms & Conditions relating to our auctions can be found here