The original Peter Rabbit letter will be on display at the Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead until 4 November.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit was based on this story-letter Beatrix Potter sent to Noel Moore – the five-year-old son of her friend and former governess Annie Moore, in 1893 – which has gone on to sell over 40 million copies since its official publication in 1902.
Visitors can read the world famous line, ‘I don’t know what to write to you, so I shall tell you a story about four little rabbits, whose names were – Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter…’, in Beatrix’s own handwriting, and get up close to the original illustrations of Peter’s family.
The letter forms part of the gallery’s 2018 exhibition, ‘The Right Sort of Woman’, which, alongside more of Beatrix’s original artwork, letters and possessions, gives an insight into her influential role in the Cumbrian community. Once the exhibition finishes, the letter will be put carefully into storage for several years in order to preserve it for future generations to enjoy.
The Beatrix Potter Gallery is situated on Main Street, Hawkshead, LA22 0NS and is open 7 days a week until 4 November, 10.30am-4pm.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/beatrix-potter-gallery
Tel: 01539436355
