# - Potter, Beatrix.

i) autograph letter signed ("Beatrix Heelis") enquiring about Carrie Halpin's son and reminiscing about Carrie's brothers ("I wonder if your boy is like your brothers – I always remember the younger up a tree in the shrubbery taking pot shots at Cousin Annie Hutton's hens!"), and describing the weather ("...we have kept well here in spite of vagaries of climate – the drought was never troublesome, but it has been raining most of the time since August. Today at last we have some sunshine, and Willie has taken a day off for shooting...") (2 pages, 8vo, Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 20 December 1934); ii) autograph letter signed ("Beatrix Heelis") on the war ("...another year gone, and still war; it seems to be on the turn at last. We keep fairly comfortable here – it's a great help to have plenty of firewood and what is called "a domestic pig" – a pig that may be fed and killed by licence, for the use of the house") and her health ("I got bronchitis rather badly in September, and when I go out in bad weather I get a wheezing like an old sheep at nights. We all have to grow old – I am 77 – if I don't throw if off I must just stay indoors till Spring...") (2 pages, 8vo, Castle Cottage, Sawrey, 2 December 1943), letters slightly spotted with creases; iii) postcard photograph of Hill Top, Sawrey annotated on the reverse by beatrix potter "tom kitten's house!", 88 by 138mm.; iv) I.C.A.A. Greetings Card [Jemima Puddle-Duck talking to Peter Rabbit] [1934], inscribed from "Beatrix Potter" to "Carrie Halpin" and dated "Christmas 1934", [V&A 1804], some spotting; v) I.C.A.A. Greetings Card [Peter Rabbit as a Postman] [1935], inscribed from "Beatrix Potter" to "Carrie Halpin" and dated "Christmas 1935" together with I.C.A.A. slip with details added in Potter's hand regarding the obtaining of cards and their price, [V&A 1807], some spotting and creases; vi) I.C.A.A. Greetings Card [Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny outside Hill Top] [1936], inscribed from "Beatrix Potter" to "Carrie Halpin" and dated "with love – Nov. 1936", [V&A 1808], some spotting

From the collection of Caroline Isobel Emma Halpin (née Hutton) and thence by family descent

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The poignant second letter was written twenty days before the author died. It is one of the last letters written by Beatrix Potter and refers, with wry humour, to her illness.