It's a well known fact that Beatrix Potter had little compassion in her heart for her critics or her fans and an intense dislike of advertising either herself or her books. Margaret Lane, who later became Potter's first biographer, wrote in 1939:
"So I wrote to Beatrix Potter, as politely and respectfully as I knew how, telling her of my lifelong pleasure in her work, and my admiration, and asking if I might one day call on her and submit for her approval the essay on her work which I was preparing. Back came, in a few days, the rudest note I have ever received in my life. No, she said, she certainly would not see me. "My books have always sold without advertisement, and I do not propose to go in for that sort of thing now."
And in 1943, Janet Adam Smith wrote a very nice article on Potter for The Listern. When she sent a copy on to Potter she didn't receive quite the response she had hoped for. Potter said she had read the piece "with mingled gratitude and stupefaction - the writer seems to know a deal more about the inception of the Peter Rabbit books than I do!" When Smith answered, trying to make ammends for the misunderstanding, Potter's second reply ended with, "And for goodness sake don't write any more rubbish about me."
Knowing full well how Potter hated being in the limelight, fans at Beatrix Potter Society gatherings are often heard to ask - "What would Beatrix think of all of this?" The mind shudders to imagine! But was Beatrix Potter really an early role model for Oscar the Grouch? Her isolated upbringing and the fact that she wasn't happily married until well into her 40s would suggest someone of a spinster-ish type attitude, especially since she had not experienced being around young people - or any people for that matter. But I don't know that I'd go as far as comparing her to Oscar the Grouch.
After all, Potter did do extensive work in the area of conservation by buying up over 4,000 acres of land that was threatened to fall under the developers boom if someone didn't step in. And at her death she left all 4,000 acres, consisting of 15 different farms, which she eventually willed to her beloved Lakes District.
And how could someone with the heart of a fuzzy monster create such beautifully delightful characters as Peter the Rabbit and Jemima Puddleduck? You don't create characters as charming as that if you're a grump on the inside. I choose to believe the Ms. Potter was just uncomfortable with all the attention and chose to puff out her chest when she expressed that discomfort as a way of protecting herself from the world full of people whom she had never really gotten the opportunity to know.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Goldman
Sunday 30 January 2011
Thursday 27 January 2011
Beatrix Potter's Art: A Selection of Paintings and Drawings
More than 200 of Potter's finest paintings and drawings are featured in full color in this magnificent book which demonstrates this beloved illustrator's wide range of artistic skills.
Price: $27.99
Click here to buy from Amazon
Price: $27.99
Click here to buy from Amazon
Monday 24 January 2011
The Tailor of Gloucester - Part 2
Here is the second part of The Tailor of Gloucester
Enjoy!!
http://www.beatrix-potter-figurines.com
Enjoy!!
http://www.beatrix-potter-figurines.com
Friday 21 January 2011
Beatrix Potter - A Woman in a Man's World
Few people realize that Beatrix Potter did anything other than write and illustrate beautiful little children's books but she was actually quite remarkable. At a time when women were to be seen and not heard Beatrix Potter had several papers presented on her behalf, amassed a huge estate, became the President of the Herdwick Sheep Breeders' Association and at the time of her death left over 4,000 acres of land, cottages, and 15 farms to the National Trust.
Born in South Kensington, London on July 28, 1866, Beatrix was educated at home, as were most young girls at the time, and had very little opportunity to play with other children. She entertained herself with her many pets. She had frogs, newts, ferrets and two rabbits. The first rabbit, Benjamin she described as being impudent and cheeky. But it was Peter rabbit whom she took with her, on a little lead, every where she went.
As both of her parents had received a large inheritance neither of them worked and they spent their days socializing at the clubs, leaving poor Beatrix at home alone with her pets whom she watched for hours on end. It was during this time of her life that she spent her time learning to draw animals and developing her abilities as an artist.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Goldman
Every summer Beatrix's father would rent a summer cottage for the family, in Scotland for the first 11 years and then in Lindeth Howe, in the English Lake District and it was here that Beatrix developed her love of nature, farming and conservationism. Potter eventually purchased 15 farms, with over 4,000 acres of land, to save them from developers, and donated them to the Lakes District in her will.
At the age of 15 Potter's parents discouraged any further education and put her in charge of running the household and she secretly began keeping a journal, in her own special code, which wasn't decoded until 20 years after her death. And during this time her uncle attempted to gain her admittance to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew but she was denied because she was a woman.
Because of her detailed drawings of items in nature, Beatrix is even credited with discovering the relationship between fungi and algae, however, because she was a woman, her uncle had to present her findings on her behalf to the Royal Society.
Over the years, as Potter's books increased in popularity, she began buying up farms in the Lake District that she loved so much, became an avid breeder of Herdwick Sheep, and in even became President of the Herdwick Sheep Breeders' Association.
Potter's first books were nothing more than a fluke really, originally created as greeting cards for her young cousins. And one wonders if she would have followed this same path had she been born in a later era where women didn't lead such confined lives. If Beatrix Potter had been born even 100 years later, in 1966 instead of 1866, Peter Rabbit might never have been born.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Goldman
Born in South Kensington, London on July 28, 1866, Beatrix was educated at home, as were most young girls at the time, and had very little opportunity to play with other children. She entertained herself with her many pets. She had frogs, newts, ferrets and two rabbits. The first rabbit, Benjamin she described as being impudent and cheeky. But it was Peter rabbit whom she took with her, on a little lead, every where she went.
As both of her parents had received a large inheritance neither of them worked and they spent their days socializing at the clubs, leaving poor Beatrix at home alone with her pets whom she watched for hours on end. It was during this time of her life that she spent her time learning to draw animals and developing her abilities as an artist.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Goldman
Every summer Beatrix's father would rent a summer cottage for the family, in Scotland for the first 11 years and then in Lindeth Howe, in the English Lake District and it was here that Beatrix developed her love of nature, farming and conservationism. Potter eventually purchased 15 farms, with over 4,000 acres of land, to save them from developers, and donated them to the Lakes District in her will.
At the age of 15 Potter's parents discouraged any further education and put her in charge of running the household and she secretly began keeping a journal, in her own special code, which wasn't decoded until 20 years after her death. And during this time her uncle attempted to gain her admittance to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew but she was denied because she was a woman.
Because of her detailed drawings of items in nature, Beatrix is even credited with discovering the relationship between fungi and algae, however, because she was a woman, her uncle had to present her findings on her behalf to the Royal Society.
Over the years, as Potter's books increased in popularity, she began buying up farms in the Lake District that she loved so much, became an avid breeder of Herdwick Sheep, and in even became President of the Herdwick Sheep Breeders' Association.
Potter's first books were nothing more than a fluke really, originally created as greeting cards for her young cousins. And one wonders if she would have followed this same path had she been born in a later era where women didn't lead such confined lives. If Beatrix Potter had been born even 100 years later, in 1966 instead of 1866, Peter Rabbit might never have been born.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Goldman
Tuesday 18 January 2011
Beatrix Potter: A Journal
This lavish, illustrated journal describes Beatrix Potter’s life as a young woman in Victorian England as she struggles to achieve independence and to find artistic success and romantic love. Using witty, observant commentary taken from Beatrix’s own diaries, the journal features a wealth of watercolor paintings, sketches, photographs, letters and period memorabilia to recreate the world in which she lived.
Price: $19.99
Click here to buy from Amazon
Price: $19.99
Click here to buy from Amazon
Saturday 15 January 2011
Beswick Pottery - A Guide to 'Backstamps' Or Porcelain Marks on Beswick Figurines
Collectors of porcelain figurines will be familiar with the wide range of stamps used by manufacturers to mark their work. Sometimes referred to as 'stamps' or 'backstamps', these marks are generally found on the underside of the figurine and will always include the name of the manufacturer at the very least.
John Beswick followed this practice at his Beswick factory and the range of marks or stamps that can be found on Beswick pieces give an invaluable insight into both the provenance and value of the piece itself.
One very important question that sometimes arises with Beswick figurines is whether the lack of a mark or stamp on the underside indicates that it is not a genuine piece. The answer to this is no. There are a large number of Beswick figurines in circulation that do not have a mark at all and the Beswick factory was well known for unfinished pieces, particularly on a Friday afternoon!
The earlier Beswick stamps, dating from just after the First World War, take the form of a simple circle or oval shape formed by the words 'Beswick England'. Printed in green, this will be indicative of one of the early pieces. By 1936 the stamp had changed into 'Beswick Ware Made in England' appearing in beautiful flowing handwriting and the circular or oval shape had disappeared altogether. In each case the mark or stamp appeared in the middle of the underside of the piece.
1954 saw the introduction of an impressed mark and the inclusion of the serial number of the individual piece as well. The words 'BESWICK ENGLAND' appear in block capitals, this time in a semi-circle around the inside edge of the base of the piece and set below that will be the serial number.
In the late 1960's the Beswick pottery began producing the first of a series of special figurine collections, the most famous of which is, of course, the Beatrix Potter collection. This necessitated the giving of much greater information in the stamp so, for example, you will see '© WALT DISNEY PROD BESWICK ENGLAND' on the underside of the Winnie the Pooh series, which was produced from 1968 to 1990. Another good example would be the Alice in Wonderland series produced from 1973 to 1983 where the mark would include the words 'ALICE SERIES "Queen of Hearts" BESWICK Made in England' followed by a Royal Doulton copyright notice. Early Beatrix Potter figurine stamps are similar in appearance and include the F Warne & Co Ltd copyright notice. Some but not all will be dated too.
Latterly, Beswick, then owned by Royal Doulton, introduced a gold script mark for limited editions and reverted to 'Beswick Ware' in the mark on some variations.
The great news is that if you shop online for Beswick Pottery or other Beswick Figurines you can find unbeatable deals at amazing prices!
John Beswick followed this practice at his Beswick factory and the range of marks or stamps that can be found on Beswick pieces give an invaluable insight into both the provenance and value of the piece itself.
One very important question that sometimes arises with Beswick figurines is whether the lack of a mark or stamp on the underside indicates that it is not a genuine piece. The answer to this is no. There are a large number of Beswick figurines in circulation that do not have a mark at all and the Beswick factory was well known for unfinished pieces, particularly on a Friday afternoon!
The earlier Beswick stamps, dating from just after the First World War, take the form of a simple circle or oval shape formed by the words 'Beswick England'. Printed in green, this will be indicative of one of the early pieces. By 1936 the stamp had changed into 'Beswick Ware Made in England' appearing in beautiful flowing handwriting and the circular or oval shape had disappeared altogether. In each case the mark or stamp appeared in the middle of the underside of the piece.
1954 saw the introduction of an impressed mark and the inclusion of the serial number of the individual piece as well. The words 'BESWICK ENGLAND' appear in block capitals, this time in a semi-circle around the inside edge of the base of the piece and set below that will be the serial number.
In the late 1960's the Beswick pottery began producing the first of a series of special figurine collections, the most famous of which is, of course, the Beatrix Potter collection. This necessitated the giving of much greater information in the stamp so, for example, you will see '© WALT DISNEY PROD BESWICK ENGLAND' on the underside of the Winnie the Pooh series, which was produced from 1968 to 1990. Another good example would be the Alice in Wonderland series produced from 1973 to 1983 where the mark would include the words 'ALICE SERIES "Queen of Hearts" BESWICK Made in England' followed by a Royal Doulton copyright notice. Early Beatrix Potter figurine stamps are similar in appearance and include the F Warne & Co Ltd copyright notice. Some but not all will be dated too.
Latterly, Beswick, then owned by Royal Doulton, introduced a gold script mark for limited editions and reverted to 'Beswick Ware' in the mark on some variations.
The great news is that if you shop online for Beswick Pottery or other Beswick Figurines you can find unbeatable deals at amazing prices!
Wednesday 12 January 2011
Beatrix Potter: Artist, Storyteller, and Countrywoman
Born in 1866, Beatrix Potter was an early model for modern feminism, rejecting the contemporary restrictions of her class and gender. Through her strength and determination, Potter found independence and stature in nontraditional roles. This illustrated biography vividly captures Potter's life, from her Victorian childhood to her final years farming in the Lake District.
Price: $26.23
Click here to buy from Amazon
Price: $26.23
Click here to buy from Amazon
Sunday 9 January 2011
Beatrix Potter and the Sale of Peter Rabbit
Children have been reading and enjoying Beatrix Potter books since 1902. You might recognize some of the more popular stories such as Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny. Most of her other stories utilize a similar template based on animal characters interacting as human beings which have drawn comparisons to Aesop's fables. Potter, however, had a very specific and somewhat distinct vision for her own books.
The books, from illustrations to stories, were created, developed, and controlled solely by Beatrix Potter. She drew all of her own pictures and even received some acclaim for attention to detail and accuracy which was considerably knowledgeable for a female in the early 20th century.
She would use elements of her personal life frequently in her books. The illustrations of animals were characters based on pets and other animals she had interacted with. Settings would be drawn from what was around her. The themes and plots of her personal life usually found their way into the stories. In one case for instance The Tale of Ginger and Pickle dealt with running a business. It was during this period in her life that Potter was submerging herself in the business and marketing of getting her books sold.
Potter also frequently used recurring characters in many of her stories. The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies featured her most popular character Peter Rabbit, but not as a primary character. Peter Rabbit really only had a cameo. Benjamin Bunny, who was the cousin of Peter Rabbit, also played the title character in The Tale of Benjamin Bunny. This was an effective form of cross promotion, however Potter did do this in every story, as evidenced in The Tale of Pigling Bland.
Potter's books were influential enough that the premise of one of her stories was borrowed by the author of the popular Winnie the Pooh stories. In Potter's story an animal eats himself stuck. Later, a version of this can be seen as clearly similar in a Winnie the Pooh book. No less than Walt Disney himself also took interest in Potter's writing. He had purchased the rights to both The Wind in the Willows and Winnie the Pooh, however when he made an offer to Potter, she declined, choosing to remain in absolute control of her works.
Just looking at some of the titles shows Beatrix Potter books keep to a consistent formula; The Tale of Pigling Bland, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies. This familiarity was further developed by using many of the same characters consistently throughout her stories. Her illustrations were all done by one artist and always written by one author, her, and always done in a similar way. These techniques allowed Potter to have a product that was recognizable and marketable which gained her financial freedom and success.
The books, from illustrations to stories, were created, developed, and controlled solely by Beatrix Potter. She drew all of her own pictures and even received some acclaim for attention to detail and accuracy which was considerably knowledgeable for a female in the early 20th century.
She would use elements of her personal life frequently in her books. The illustrations of animals were characters based on pets and other animals she had interacted with. Settings would be drawn from what was around her. The themes and plots of her personal life usually found their way into the stories. In one case for instance The Tale of Ginger and Pickle dealt with running a business. It was during this period in her life that Potter was submerging herself in the business and marketing of getting her books sold.
Potter also frequently used recurring characters in many of her stories. The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies featured her most popular character Peter Rabbit, but not as a primary character. Peter Rabbit really only had a cameo. Benjamin Bunny, who was the cousin of Peter Rabbit, also played the title character in The Tale of Benjamin Bunny. This was an effective form of cross promotion, however Potter did do this in every story, as evidenced in The Tale of Pigling Bland.
Potter's books were influential enough that the premise of one of her stories was borrowed by the author of the popular Winnie the Pooh stories. In Potter's story an animal eats himself stuck. Later, a version of this can be seen as clearly similar in a Winnie the Pooh book. No less than Walt Disney himself also took interest in Potter's writing. He had purchased the rights to both The Wind in the Willows and Winnie the Pooh, however when he made an offer to Potter, she declined, choosing to remain in absolute control of her works.
Just looking at some of the titles shows Beatrix Potter books keep to a consistent formula; The Tale of Pigling Bland, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies. This familiarity was further developed by using many of the same characters consistently throughout her stories. Her illustrations were all done by one artist and always written by one author, her, and always done in a similar way. These techniques allowed Potter to have a product that was recognizable and marketable which gained her financial freedom and success.
Thursday 6 January 2011
The Tale of Samuel Whiskers - The Roly-Poly Pudding
This title has fewer than 24 printed text pages.
The Tale of Samuel Whiskers - The Roly-Poly Pudding is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by Beatrix Potter is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of Beatrix Potter then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection.
Price: $9.99
Click here to buy from Amazon
The Tale of Samuel Whiskers - The Roly-Poly Pudding is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by Beatrix Potter is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of Beatrix Potter then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection.
Price: $9.99
Click here to buy from Amazon
Monday 3 January 2011
Tale of Johnny Townmouse
(Helen) Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) was an English author and illustrator, botanist, and conservationist, born in Kensington, London best known for her children's books, which featured animal characters such as Peter Rabbit. Educated at home by a succession of governesses, she had little opportunity to mix with other children. Potter had frogs and newts, and even a pet bat. The basis of her many projects and stories were the small animals that she smuggled into the house or observed during family holidays in Scotland and the Lake District. She was encouraged to publish her story, The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902), but she struggled to find a publisher until it was accepted when she was 36, by Frederick Warne & Co. The small book and her following works were extremely well received and she gained an independent income from the sales. Potter eventually wrote 23 books. These were published in a small format, easy for a child to hold and read. Her writing efforts abated around 1920 due to poor eyesight.
Price: $12.99
Price: $12.99
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