Beatrix Potter Figurines

2018-12-30T07:01:00.001-08:00

Thank you for your Blog and thank you so much for your witness when you state you are a "20 - something modern day girl striving to live every day for the Lord Jesus Christ. " I love the Lord and long to please him day by day. I love all things Beatrix Potter and have been collecting the figurines of the characters in her books for many years. I have a website beatrix-potter-figurines.com which I describe as being a Definitive Guide to these wonderful Beswick, Border Fine Arts and Royal Albert Figurines.

Peter Rabbit - Part 1

2011-03-31T14:58:00.000-07:00

Enjoy!!

Collect Steiff Stuffed Animals

2011-03-28T14:53:00.000-07:00

Just about everybody had a treasured stuffed toy when they were young. The feeling of happiness and nostalgia of these toys is what makes some adults become collectors of them, namely stuffed animals from Steiff. They are in high demand by collectors when available at fairs and auctions, namely stuffed bears. The legend of Steiff stuffed animals started sometime in 1880 in Germany, in the town of Giengen an der Brenz. Margarete Steiff, a wheelchair bound seamstress, made toy animals from her own designs as a hobby.

They were mostly of dogs, cats, pigs and elephants. Stuffed animals that we know of today began when Richard Steiff, a nephew of Margarette, created the first toy bear with jointed limbs in 1902. This bear with jointed limbs became popular worldwide, and as a result, it was the winner at the World Exhibition that was held in 1094 in St. Louis. It was later named after President Teddy Roosevelt and became known as the teddy bear. The company is known for its high quality creations, which are still made in the town of Giengen. The town of Giengen is considered a mecca for lovers of stuffed animals, and visitors can experience an Adventure Museum as well as the Steiff factory. The museum tells the history of the products and a gift shop sells bears, replicas of past animal products, historic catalogues and porcelain.

The Steiff Classic range is the line that is most sought after by collectors, featuring a wide variety of animals that are all hand made. A majority of the creations date back to the early 1900's up to the 1920's. There is also a bear with a stitched on Valentine's heart, which makes a romantic gift. The range also includes characters from the Beatrix Potter stories, including Peter Rabbit and the Mrs. Tiggy Winkle hedgehog. Another children's favorite that is available is the Paddington Bear, with his trademark blue hat and red duffle coat. The majority of Steiff baby animals are created with babies and toddlers in mind. Teddy bears, kittens and puppies are included in this collection that is designed from durable, high quality materials.

The Cosy Animal line has machine washable animals and there are also children's clothes, keyrings, bags and gift sets. Another great collection is the Steiff Limited Edition selection that showcases a pink and grey replica of the world famous 1908 teddy bear. You can also find a Moon Bear, a Grizzly Bear and a cute Pierrot Bear in the selection. Another one of my favorites in this range is the famous character from story books, the Rupert Bear. However, the teddy bear will continue to be the toy that is most associated with the company.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=L.K._Reid

The Works of Beatrix Potter

2011-03-25T14:42:00.000-07:00

The works of Beatrix Potter with an active table of contents. Works include:

THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT
THE TAILOR OF GLOUCESTER
THE TALE OF SQUIRREL NUTKIN
THE TALE OF BENJAMIN BUNNY
THE TALE OF TWO BAD MICE
THE TALE OF MRS. TIGGY-WINKLE
THE PIE AND THE PATTY-PAN
THE TALE OF MR. JEREMY FISHER
THE STORY OF A FIERCE BAD RABBIT
THE STORY OF MISS MOPPET
THE TALE OF TOM KITTEN
THE TALE OF JEMIMA PUDDLE-DUCK
THE ROLY-POLY PUDDING
THE TALE OF THE FLOPSY BUNNIES
THE TALE OF MRS. TITTLEMOUSE
THE TALE OF TIMMY TIPTOES
THE TALE OF MR. TOD
THE TALE OF PIGLING BLAND
GINGER AND PICKLES

Works are not illustrated.
Price: $0.99
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The Tale of Ginger and Pickles (Illustrated Edition) (Dodo Press)

2011-03-22T14:39:00.000-07:00

(Helen) Beatrix Potter (1866-1943) was an English author and illustrator, botanist, and conservationist, born in Kensington, London best known for her children's books, which featured animal characters such as Peter Rabbit. Educated at home by a succession of governesses, she had little opportunity to mix with other children. Potter had frogs and newts, and even a pet bat. The basis of her many projects and stories were the small animals that she smuggled into the house or observed during family holidays in Scotland and the Lake District. She was encouraged to publish her story, The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902), but she struggled to find a publisher until it was accepted when she was 36, by Frederick Warne & Co. The small book and her following works were extremely well received and she gained an independent income from the sales. Potter eventually wrote 23 books. These were published in a small format, easy for a child to hold and read. Her writing efforts abated around 1920 due to poor eyesight.
Price: $12.99

The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter

2011-03-19T10:06:00.000-07:00

This handsome edition brings all of Beatrix Potter's 23 tales and verses together in one book. Each story is complete and unabridged, and all the original illustrations, both color and black-and-white, are included. Potter's tales were often connected with real people, places and animals, so each story has a brief introductory note about its history. As an added bonus, The Complete Tales also includes four other works by Potter, which remained unpublished in her lifetime.

As part of Peter Rabbit's centennial celebration, the first printing of The Complete Tales will be published with a limited edition lithograph inside.
Price: $35.00
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The Tale of Tom Kitten (Illustrated Edition) (Dodo Press)

2011-03-13T10:02:00.000-07:00

Peter Rabbit's Giant Storybook (Potter)

2011-03-10T09:58:00.000-08:00

Imagine getting fourteen of Beatrix Potter's classic tales in one deluxe volume. Including all her most popular stories--The Tales of Peter Rabbit, Tom Kitten, Mr. Jeremy Fisher, Jemima Puddle-Duck and more-- this 12 inch by 12 inch oversized hardcover offers high quality reproductions of Beatrix Potter's original art and all the charm of the original little books, perfect for reading aloud. But at this price, parents won't worry for a moment about letting kids read it to themselves.

Illustrated by Beatrix Potter
Price: $15.99
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The Making of Beswick Pottery

2011-03-07T09:23:00.000-08:00

The founder of the Beswick pottery, was James Wright Beswick in 1892, it never become successful until 1894 when his son John joined him. It was due to their success that in 1897 they bought the Gold Street Works, sadly most of this area of Stoke is now occupied by a retail park, they traded as J.W. Beswick until 1936.

Their popularity stems from producing extremely colourful decorated tableware, plant-pots and jugs that adorned many a Victorian home along with reproduction 'antique' Staffordshire cats and dogs figurines. The Beswick production was synonymous with elaborate moulding and painstaking hand-painting which turned out their high quality figures. James died in 1921, with son John taking over the reigns,he died in 1936 and it was John's son John Ewart Beswick that took over the reigns and the Sales Director being Gilbert Beswick. The company was made a limited company in 1936, John Beswick Ltd.

1930's saw modernisation with more advance methods in producing the pottery wares which allowed J.W. Beswick to be very competitive in the market place, they had 400 people working for them at this time, the company also turned to producing animal figures which proved to be a wise choice and was a successful period for them. The modeller of these animal figures was Arthur Gredington, he used champions in their fields as the basis for his models of racehorses and champion dogs. They continued to expand their catalogue of animals figures which included fish, birds, farm animals and wild animals, these were all made to look so realistic.

The war years (1939 - 45) for Beswick were, like with all manufacturing in the UK extremely restricted and many of their pieces were not as highly decorated as usual, but Beswick grabbed the opportunity of producing for export, which was encouraged by the government also with the advantage that the export items could be more highly decorated than the items intended for the home market. Beswick exported to the U.S.A., Canada, Australia and New Zealand and it accounted for 80% of all items they produced.

Lucy Beswick came up with the idea in 1947 to make characters from the Beatrix Potter books and in 1948 it had acquired a licence to produce some of the characters which included Jemima Puddle-Duck, Peter Rabbit, Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail. And with the success of the Beatrix Potter Beswick figurines they started in the production of Walt Disney characters, some of those characters immortalised by Beswick were Snow White, Bambi, Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Christopher Robin, Eeyore, Piglet and Tigger figures.

In 1969 after three generations of the Beswick family and with no new generation of Beswick to take over the family business, the company was sold to Royal Doulton. In 1989 the Royal Albert or Royal Doulton mark replaced the Beswick mark. Finally in 2002 Royal Doulton ceased production of Beswick products.

2005 and it all changed when a Yorkshire entrepreneur, John Sinclair bought the Beswick name along with production moulds and archive material, from Royal Doulton. He is quoted as saying "I am committed to manufacturing a small, hand-painted range in Stoke on Trent, which will appeal to collectors." Two collections will be launched, "Beswick England" a prestigious range which will include limited editions which will made in Stoke-on Trent and "John Beswick" featuring animals in the style of the originals, which will be manufactured overseas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Colin_A_Taylor

The Tale of Beatrix Potter: A Biography

2011-03-04T09:20:00.000-08:00

When Beatrix Potter died in 1943, few knew the full story of her life. Originally published only three years after Beatrix Potter's death, this book tells her story. It was extensively revised in 1985 to include new material that had come to light.
Price: $12.49
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The Tailor of Gloucester - Part 5

2011-03-01T09:15:00.000-08:00

The Final part of The Tailor of Gloucester

This is just brilliant - I hope you think so too

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My First Year (Potter)

2011-02-26T09:11:00.000-08:00

Redesigned with a new cover and additional content, this Peter Rabbit baby book updates the original favorite. Each page records the story of that special and unforgettable first year of a baby’s life, featuring spaces for parents to record landmark events—from the first smile to the first party. A special pocket at the back helps to store precious keepsakes to be kept and cherished for a lifetime.
Price: $10.99
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The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies (Potter)

2011-02-23T09:08:00.000-08:00

o celebrate Peter's birthday, Frederick Warne has published new editions of all 23 of Potter's original tales, which take the very first printings of Potter's works as their guide. The aim of these editions is to be as close as possible to Beatrix Potter's intentions while benefiting from modern printing and design techniques.

The colors and details of the watercolors in the volumes are reproduced more accurately than ever before, and it has now been possible to disguise damage that has affected the artwork over the years. Most notably, The Tale of Peter Rabbit restores six of Potter's original illustrations. Four were sacrificed in 1903 to make space for illustrated endpapers, and two have never been used before. Of course, Beatrix Potter created many memorable children's characters, including Benjamin Bunny, Tom Kitten, Jemima Puddle-duck and Jeremy Fisher. But whatever the tale, both children and adults alike can be delighted by the artistry in Potter's illustrations, while they also enjoy a very good read. Because they have always been completely true to a child's experience, Potter's 23 books continue to endure.
Price: $6.99

The Life Behind the Author of the Beatrix Potter Books

2011-02-20T09:04:00.000-08:00

Born in a very rich family in South Kensington, London, on 28 July 1866, Beatrix Potter grew up to be a renowned illustrator and writer of children's books. Notable for creating anthropomorphic characters for children's tales, Potter has made a deep mark in the hearts of children as well as adults and still continues to rule even after umpteen years after her death.

The collection of Beatrix Potter books has been and still remains glorious amongst the all-time favorites of young readers.

Growing up in isolation from other children, Potter was an ardent lover of animals and nature. Her inborn talent in painting became noticeable with her sketches of her family holiday getaway in the Lake District in England.. Her love for animals prompted her to have innumerable pets from time to time; frogs, newts, ferrets, rabbit and bat being a few of those. The range of Beatrix Potter books are thus centered around these wonderful creatures and small animals which she adored all throughout her life.

Her love for animals, who also used to be her full time companions, and her writing skills combined together gave birth to a lot of Beatrix Potter books. An expert in mycology, Potter chose nature to form the setting of her tales. The lovely stories of animals were complemented with her lively sketches and paintings that gave a new dimension to the stories making them all the more attractive and full of life. Potter herself was a person of strong principles.

During her secret engagement with publisher Norman Warne (which was not accepted by her parents) she started earning independently and moved away to her own farm in the Lake District. One of the interesting features of in the collection of Beatrix Potter books is the moral that is attached at the end of each story. The stories that revolve around some immortal animal characters created by Potter essentially make deep rooted marks in the minds of the readers of tender age and prompt them to imbibe the morals of life.

Following the publication of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, she took up full-time writing and illustrating children's books. Each and every one the Beatrix Potter books bears the creative excellence of Potter in the form of magnificent characters like Squirrel Nutkin, Benjamin Bunny, Gloucester and Tom Kitten to name a few. Potter's endeavor to entertain children with her works reached new heights, so much so that children of contemporary times too are fond and many homes will have some Beatrix Potter books on their bookshelves.

The countryside of Lake District with its natural beauty, apart from being her subject of painting, has been the background of Potter's stories. She left almost all of her property to The National Trust to help conserve the countryside. Her love for the diversified landscape of the countryside prompted her to arrange for a conservation of the place.

Many of her books have been translated into Braille and many have been translated in to Dutch, Afrikaans, Welsh, Latin, French, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, German, Japanese, Italian and Spanish so the global population of children aren't deprived of these brilliant works. Potter still reins the hearts of innumerable readers whose love inspired the publication of so many Beatrix Potter books.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin, Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Johnny Townmouse & Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, and all your other favorite Beatrix Potter Book Characters.

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The Tailor of Gloucester - Part 4

2011-02-17T08:57:00.000-08:00

The Tailor of Gloucester - Part 4

Wonderful!!!

At Home With Beatrix Potter: The Creator of Peter Rabbit

2011-02-14T08:54:00.000-08:00

The world famous artwork of Beatrix Potter needs little introduction — it is as beloved as the familiar children’s stories it illustrates. But few know of her work in the gardens and interiors of Hill Top, the farmhouse Potter purchased in 1905. The estate and surrounding scenery inspired many of Potter’s stories and illustrations, and this gorgeously illustrated book shows Potter’s homes and her magnificent gardens beside those drawings, revealing the real-life sources for Peter Rabbit and many other Potter classics. The book also includes letters and diary excerpts, further exploring the relationship between Potter’s home in the Lake District and her iconic artwork. For those fans of Potter who want to delve further into her aesthetic underpinnings, this intimate look into Potter’s private world is a must-have.

Price: $17.95
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The World of Peter Rabbit (The Original Peter Rabbit, Books 1-23, Presentation Box)

2011-02-11T08:49:00.000-08:00

All 23 original Tales by Beatrix Potter are available in a beautifully redesigned presentation box. This luxurious box features the new branded design, spot lamination and full-color original Beatrix Potter art, including a pop-up of Peter Rabbit and friends inside the lid.
Price: $160.00
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Beatrix Potter's Artistic Training

2011-02-08T08:39:00.000-08:00

It's interesting to note that while Beatrix Potter had no formal education to speak of she did receive several years of art classes from a teacher named Miss Cameron and she eventually earned an Art Student's Certificate from the Science and Art Department of the Committee of Council on Education for her excellence in freehand and model drawing and flower painting. She also took a 12 lesson course in oil painting in 1883.

Although she was grateful to them for their help, Potter was always critical of her teachers, believing that regardless of what they thought they might teach her the only thing they really could impart was the technical aspects of art. Potter believed the artistic style couldn't be taught, that it was an individual gift, and patiently learned her lessons knowing that she would one day be allowed to develop her own artistic style.

The biggest contributor to Potter's education however, was the hours and hours she spent in solitude studying plants and animals. The Kensington Museum was within walking distance of the Potter home and Beatrix spent many an afternoon there alone, sketching and asking the attendants questions. It was while spending these afternoons in the museum that Potter learned how specimens were mounted and how microscopic plates were prepared thus she learned to draw with an eye toward the microscopic view.

Although Beatrix was extremely interested in entomology, geology and paleontology she was even more intently interested in mycology, the study of fungi. She collected and dissected specimens for years and painted them in minute detail. She even developed scientific theories on mold spores and lichen and her uncle, Sir Henry Roscoe, a notable chemist of the time, helped her try to get her papers published. In 1896, the Royal Botanic Gardens disregarded Potter's research stating that it was childish and amateurish but Potter persisted and wrote another paper that was delivered to the Linnaean Society of London. Again this paper had to be delivered by her uncle because at that time women were not allowed to attend their meetings.

One of Potter's greatest influences was Millais, a member of the Pre-Raphaelite movement. He would often ask to see examples of her artwork and she was always grateful for his encouragements. Potter considered his painting "Ophelia' to be 'probably one of the most marvelous pictures in the world" and Millais said of Potter's artwork, "Plenty of people can draw, but you and my son John have observation."

Potter did most of her sketches in pen-and ink or pencil and for her finished pieces she worked mostly in watercolor. But while her illustrations are wonderful it's the studies she did in her sketchbook that show her true artistic ability. She had in impeccable sense of perspective and a true eye for detail.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Goldman

The Tailor of Gloucester - Part 3

2011-02-05T08:33:00.000-08:00

View part 3 of The Tailor of Gloucester here:

Don't you think it's great - I do!!

The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes (Illustrated Edition) (Dodo Press)

2011-02-02T08:29:00.000-08:00

What Would Beatrix Potter Think of This?

2011-01-30T08:25:00.000-08:00

It's a well known fact that Beatrix Potter had little compassion in her heart for her critics or her fans and an intense dislike of advertising either herself or her books. Margaret Lane, who later became Potter's first biographer, wrote in 1939:

"So I wrote to Beatrix Potter, as politely and respectfully as I knew how, telling her of my lifelong pleasure in her work, and my admiration, and asking if I might one day call on her and submit for her approval the essay on her work which I was preparing. Back came, in a few days, the rudest note I have ever received in my life. No, she said, she certainly would not see me. "My books have always sold without advertisement, and I do not propose to go in for that sort of thing now."

And in 1943, Janet Adam Smith wrote a very nice article on Potter for The Listern. When she sent a copy on to Potter she didn't receive quite the response she had hoped for. Potter said she had read the piece "with mingled gratitude and stupefaction - the writer seems to know a deal more about the inception of the Peter Rabbit books than I do!" When Smith answered, trying to make ammends for the misunderstanding, Potter's second reply ended with, "And for goodness sake don't write any more rubbish about me."

Knowing full well how Potter hated being in the limelight, fans at Beatrix Potter Society gatherings are often heard to ask - "What would Beatrix think of all of this?" The mind shudders to imagine! But was Beatrix Potter really an early role model for Oscar the Grouch? Her isolated upbringing and the fact that she wasn't happily married until well into her 40s would suggest someone of a spinster-ish type attitude, especially since she had not experienced being around young people - or any people for that matter. But I don't know that I'd go as far as comparing her to Oscar the Grouch.

After all, Potter did do extensive work in the area of conservation by buying up over 4,000 acres of land that was threatened to fall under the developers boom if someone didn't step in. And at her death she left all 4,000 acres, consisting of 15 different farms, which she eventually willed to her beloved Lakes District.

And how could someone with the heart of a fuzzy monster create such beautifully delightful characters as Peter the Rabbit and Jemima Puddleduck? You don't create characters as charming as that if you're a grump on the inside. I choose to believe the Ms. Potter was just uncomfortable with all the attention and chose to puff out her chest when she expressed that discomfort as a way of protecting herself from the world full of people whom she had never really gotten the opportunity to know.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Goldman

Beatrix Potter's Art: A Selection of Paintings and Drawings

2011-01-27T08:21:00.000-08:00

More than 200 of Potter's finest paintings and drawings are featured in full color in this magnificent book which demonstrates this beloved illustrator's wide range of artistic skills.
Price: $27.99
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The Tailor of Gloucester - Part 2

2011-01-24T08:16:00.000-08:00

Here is the second part of The Tailor of Gloucester

Enjoy!!

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Beatrix Potter - A Woman in a Man's World

2011-01-21T08:09:00.000-08:00

Few people realize that Beatrix Potter did anything other than write and illustrate beautiful little children's books but she was actually quite remarkable. At a time when women were to be seen and not heard Beatrix Potter had several papers presented on her behalf, amassed a huge estate, became the President of the Herdwick Sheep Breeders' Association and at the time of her death left over 4,000 acres of land, cottages, and 15 farms to the National Trust.

Born in South Kensington, London on July 28, 1866, Beatrix was educated at home, as were most young girls at the time, and had very little opportunity to play with other children. She entertained herself with her many pets. She had frogs, newts, ferrets and two rabbits. The first rabbit, Benjamin she described as being impudent and cheeky. But it was Peter rabbit whom she took with her, on a little lead, every where she went.

As both of her parents had received a large inheritance neither of them worked and they spent their days socializing at the clubs, leaving poor Beatrix at home alone with her pets whom she watched for hours on end. It was during this time of her life that she spent her time learning to draw animals and developing her abilities as an artist.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Goldman

Every summer Beatrix's father would rent a summer cottage for the family, in Scotland for the first 11 years and then in Lindeth Howe, in the English Lake District and it was here that Beatrix developed her love of nature, farming and conservationism. Potter eventually purchased 15 farms, with over 4,000 acres of land, to save them from developers, and donated them to the Lakes District in her will.

At the age of 15 Potter's parents discouraged any further education and put her in charge of running the household and she secretly began keeping a journal, in her own special code, which wasn't decoded until 20 years after her death. And during this time her uncle attempted to gain her admittance to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew but she was denied because she was a woman.

Because of her detailed drawings of items in nature, Beatrix is even credited with discovering the relationship between fungi and algae, however, because she was a woman, her uncle had to present her findings on her behalf to the Royal Society.

Over the years, as Potter's books increased in popularity, she began buying up farms in the Lake District that she loved so much, became an avid breeder of Herdwick Sheep, and in even became President of the Herdwick Sheep Breeders' Association.

Potter's first books were nothing more than a fluke really, originally created as greeting cards for her young cousins. And one wonders if she would have followed this same path had she been born in a later era where women didn't lead such confined lives. If Beatrix Potter had been born even 100 years later, in 1966 instead of 1866, Peter Rabbit might never have been born.

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Beatrix Potter: A Journal

2011-01-18T08:05:00.000-08:00

This lavish, illustrated journal describes Beatrix Potter’s life as a young woman in Victorian England as she struggles to achieve independence and to find artistic success and romantic love. Using witty, observant commentary taken from Beatrix’s own diaries, the journal features a wealth of watercolor paintings, sketches, photographs, letters and period memorabilia to recreate the world in which she lived.
Price: $19.99
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