Potter, Beatrix.

136 by 86mm., fine ink and watercolour drawing, signed with initials and dated 'June 26 - July 28 [18]98 | H.BP' in lower section of drawing and in lower left corner, some minor browning below mount

Sotheby's, 6/7 June 1990, lot 457; Chris Beetles Gallery (label); Pasquale Iannetti Art Galleries (San Francisco) (label)

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."

This watercolour was reproduced in Beatrix Potter Studies IX (Beatrix Potter Society, 2001) on p. 41.

In a picture-letter sent to Freda Moore on 30 July 1898, Beatrix Potter describes a snail's nest and the hatching of eggs. The date of this watercolour suggests that it originates from the artist's observation of this event.

In 1905 Beatrix Potter and her publishers considered publication of a book of rhymes (see Linder pp.225-239). The project would eventually be postponed until 1917 with publication of Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes. An abandoned rhyme commences:

There was an old snail with a nest -
Who very great terror expressed,
Lest the wood-lice all round
In the cracks under-ground
Should eat up her eggs in that nest!

Anne Stevenson Hobbs in her article 'Context and Content: Working on Beatrix Potter's Art' in Beatrix Potter Studies IX (Beatrix Potter Society, 2001) notes that a 'twin to this design, also dated July 1898 and with a very similar composition... was included in the 1966 Philadelphia exhibition, but does not belong to the Free Library collection'. That piece is currently lost.