9th Dec, 2025 10:00
The Christmas Auction 2025
245
Beatrix Potter signed ICAA greeting card
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.
Sold for £2,000
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.
All over good condition. Gilt edges a little rubbed. Very minor spotting to right of laid down image. Gilt 'greetings' a little rubbed to gilding. Small ink mark centre lower edge. Reverse with small browned mark centre left edge and small further marks as pictured.
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Auction: The Christmas Auction 2025, 9th Dec, 2025
Viewing
Sunday 7 December | 12pm - 3pm
Monday 8 December | 9am - 4pm
