# - Potter, Beatrix.

i) 120 by 82mm., fine pencil and ink drawing with minor correction in gouache, signed at centre "H.B.P" with name and address in pencil on reverse ("Beatrix Potter | 2 Bolton Gardens | S.W."); ii) 125 by 82mm., fine pencil and ink drawing with minor correction in gouache, signed at centre "HBP." with name and address in pencil on reverse ("Beatrix Potter | 2 Bolton Gardens | SW."); iii) 122 by 84mm., fine unfinished pencil, ink and watercolour drawing, unsigned; all mounted, some minor spotting and soiling

All with slight browning or soiling. One design (Potter's design "K") includes a mark from upper edge that enters the top of the design. Some uneven edges with a minor tear to one leaf.
"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 first design is a version of that in the V&A collection (V&A1783 and V&A1785). A letter "K" is present, here, in the lower left corner and the panel shows a faint "New Year" which has been erased.

The second design (present here in two states) is a version of that in the V&A collection (V&A1784) also reproduced in the Linders' The Art of Beatrix Potter (London, 1972), p.373; Hobbs and Whalley, Beatrix Potter - The V&A Collection (London, 1985), p.193 and Taylor, Whalley, Hobbs and Battrick, Beatrix Potter 1866-1943 - The Artist and Her World (London, 1987), p.51. The pencil and ink drawing, here, has a reversed "J" in the lower left corner and the panel shows a faint "Father Christmas" which has been erased. A note reading "I would paint the snow in the foreground from a photograph" has also been erased. The image was later redrawn as Father Christmas dispensing cabbages and carrots to rabbits in 1933. The Warne Archive holds the original pen and ink illustration and the V&A collection preserves the printed card version (V&A1800).

Six of Beatrix Potter's greetings card designs were accepted by the firm of Hildesheimer & Faulkner in May 1890 (for which she received a cheque for £6). She then worked at additional sketches ("much impeded by the criticisms of my relations and a severe bilious attack") in advance of a visit to the firm's offices in Holborn.

Potter noted in her journal "Presently Mr. Faulkner appeared... He was very civil to me... Not one word did he say in praise of the cards, but he showed a mysterious desire for more. He grinned a little at some of the fresh sketches, but not much... He did not definitely decide on any that I had brought, indeed the most precise thing he said was that he thought we should be able to do business..." (see The Journal of Beatrix Potter 1881-1897 (London, 1989), pp. 213-214).