His mischievous antics have delighted generations of young readers.
Now Beatrix Potter’s original manuscript for the Tale of Squirrel Nutkin is going on display for the first time.
The story recounts the adventures of the badly-behaved Nutkin, who ends up losing his tail as a result of his behaviour to the owl called Old Mr Brown.
The finished book, published in 1903, included 26 illustrations.
As with several of Potter’s other books, including the Tale of Peter Rabbit and The Tailor of Gloucester, the tale was originally written in the form of a letter to entertain a child of her old governess and friend Annie Moore.
Norah Moore received the handwritten letter which was developed into a manuscript copy in 1902 that closely follows the original letter.
The story was is featured in a new book, 125 Treasures from the Collections of the National Trust, which celebrates a list of objects chosen by curators as some of the most outstanding and internationally important pieces in the Trust’s care.
Using a display case on loan from National Trust Nostell, the exhibition – at the Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead – displays this letter, alongside the original manuscript, containing Beatrix’s handwritten text, notes and the preliminary drawings for the final watercolour illustrations.
Julie Firth, senior programming and partnership officer for National Trust’s Beatrix Potter Gallery and Hill Top, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight on how Beatrix Potter’s little books developed from letters, through sketches, to the finished published book.
“This will give visitors a true insight into her imagination and working methods. It is a perfect addition to our exhibition of Beatrix Potter’s correspondence, ‘Friendship by Post’.”
Also displayed alongside the manuscript is an early edition of The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin, in the brocade made by Edmund Potter & Co at Dinting Vale, and the original watercolour illustration that matches the page on the manuscript.
The exhibition runs until October 31.
For details go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/beatrix-potter-gallery-and-hawkshead
