Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Earliest paintings of Peter Rabbit sold for £40,000

Arifa Akbar
Tuesday 01 April 2003 18:00 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Two watercolours by Beatrix Potter of embryonic versions of two of her best- loved characters were sold at auction yesterday for more than £40,000. The previously unseen illustrations of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny were probably intended as Christmas cards when they were drawn in 1892 or 1893 but were never published.

The first painting, in which the two characters are building a snowman, went under the hammer at Bonhams auctioneers for £21,510. The second watercolour, which featured them on the verge of a snowball fight, sold for £19,120. Melanie Way, a book specialist at Bonhams, said: "They are very early illustrations and the characters seem very similar to the famous Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny. Having an original illustration is a collector's dream."

The paintings were bought by a books dealer called Jonkers, which specialises in Potter's work. Sam Jonkers, who is based in Henley-on-Thames, said: "The illustrations are really unusual."

The paintings were created about 10 years before Potter published her first book, Peter Rabbit. The book began life in 1893 as a picture letter to her former governess. Seven years later, Potter decided it would make a good book for children and it was published in 1902. She went on to create about 20 other children's stories involving animals.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in