The Fairy Caravan
Beatrix Potter (London 1866 - Near Sawrey, Cumbria 1943)
Category
Manuscripts and documents
Date
1911
Materials
Ink, Paper, Pencil
Measurements
203 x 165 x 3 mm
Order this imageCollection
Beatrix Potter Gallery, Cumbria
NT 242230.1
Summary
Manuscript exercise book (with blue cover), titled on the front cover in Beatrix Potter's hand 'The Fairy in the Oak'. Early copy, + re writings'. The manuscript is in two sections, one reading from the front of the exercise book and one reading from the back. Reading from the front of the exercise book - this is 5 pages of an incomplete draft of Chapter 14 of The fairy Caravan, titled 'The Christmas Picnic. Demerara Sugar.' Reading from the back of the exercise book - this is 6 pages of an incomplete draft of the story 'The Fairy in the Oak', which was to become the final chapter of The Fairy Caravan. It opens with an address to Kitty and Hilda Hadfield, two New Zealand children. The draft possibly dates from 1911, but may be a later copy of a 1911 original. Beatrix Potter has annotated the top of the first page in pencil, 'The Fairy in the Oak was written for Mrs Hadfields children - Mr H was sheepfarmer in NZ. She brought him + the 3 younger children to England to consult a surgeon, but his condition was hopeless. I think he just lived long enough to reach N.Z. They were at Blackheath when I knew them. She corresponded with me for many years till her death.' See also HIL.R.29.1.1, a detached loose sheet from the exercise book.
Makers and roles
Beatrix Potter (London 1866 - Near Sawrey, Cumbria 1943), writer