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Beatrix Potter Autograph Manuscript Signed for 'Squirrel Nutkin'

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:50,000.00 - 60,000.00 USD
Beatrix Potter Autograph Manuscript Signed for 'Squirrel Nutkin'

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Auction Date:2022 Oct 12 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:15th Floor WeWork, Boston, Massachusetts, 02108, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Autograph manuscript for a play entitled "Squirrel Nutkin," signed and inscribed inside the front cover in ink, "E. L. Choyce, from Beatrix Potter, (Mrs. Heelis), Spring 1924, For private acting," totaling 21 pages in pencil inside a 6.5 x 8 exercise book. This short play, written for children, compresses the six days' action of The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin (1903) into two scenes: the first has them arrive on Owl Island, where Old Brown observes their arrival: "Every year they come with sacks to Owl Island to gather nuts. I don't mind them—nice polite little squirrels like Twinkleberry, Timmy Tip Toes & Goody. But as for that naughty squirrel Nutkin—hush, hush! here they come, I must dissemble." While the other squirrels offer the owl gifts in exchange for permission to gather nuts, Nutkin dances, sings, and proffers a series of annoying riddles. The scene ends with Old Brown's sudden sequestration of Squirrel Nutkin, dragged kicking and struggling off stage. The second scene portrays the squirrels' successful rescue of Nutkin, and the episode concludes with a round of dance and song.

The text is interspersed with some notes and suggestions on staging the show, offering detailed specifications for scenery, props, and costumes: "It will be quite unnecessary to have any special costumes provided the children have fine tails." She also gives some direction for Old Brown: "Old Brown is easy to dress & could be extremely effective if played by anyone who has been accustomed to observe the solemn yet suddenly alert movements of the live owl." In very good to fine condition, with general handling wear, and creasing and partial separation to the covers.

Past sales history: Christie's, Valuable Manuscripts and Printed Books, June 5, 2007.