Beatrix Potter
The new film, “Miss Potter” starring Ewan McGregor and Renee Zellweger has reignited a surge of interest in the Lake District. Hoteliers in the area are expecting great visitor numbers this summer, all thanks to amazing cinematography in the film. However, it’s not just the beauty spots of the Lake District that Potter fans are rushing to see. Beatrix Potter’s writings & illustrations are widely collectable and recently there has been a huge increase in demand for all Potter collectables. This includes figurines. money boxes, decorative plates and nursery ware, as well as the books themselves and any items associated with her personal & professional life.
Animal figurines are perhaps the most widely collected & affordable Beatrix Potter collectables. Her characters were embodied by Staffordshire potters, JW Beswick. Faithful copies of the books’ rustic, watercolour illustrations, they were almost a guaranteed success (despite competition from the Doulton’s well established Bunnykins range).
Although Beatrix had been a published writer for almost 50 years, it was not until the 1940s that Beswick (at the suggestion of the owners’ wife) bought the rights to reproduce Beatrix Potter’s characters. The first piece to be recreated was Jemima Puddleduck, who was launched in 1948.
Six years later, 21 of the 23 characters had been produced. Avid collectors had to wait almost a quarter of a century to complete their set - It took another twenty three years before the series was finished! It’s useful to know that the Beswick name was only used until 1989 when the trade name was changed to Royal Albert. When Royal Doulton bought the company, they re-introduced the Potter figures & whilst these still have a collectable value, the Beswicks really are best! These figurines are on sale for £36 each and there are nine to collect.
Most of the figures are still in production today and new versions are introduced each year. Very few have been discontinued so those that have, are rare and very valuable - A version still in production may cost £50, but a discontinued version or character could be worth well over £100.
“The Tale of Peter Rabbit” was the work which first launched Beatrix Potter’s career, when it was published in 1902. A first edition could easily sell for £1,500. Even a copy from the 1960s could be worth £50. Her charming stories about animals and her Lake District scenes, have made her one of England’s most enduring children’s writers.
