The Enchanting World Of Beatrix Potter, Nunnington Hall, until April 25 (From York Press)

The Enchanting World Of Beatrix Potter, Nunnington Hall, until April 25

3:23pm Friday 12th March 2010 in

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HAVE you ever wondered why Beatrix Potter’s books are printed in such a distinctive size?

When the publishers Frederick Warne & Co rejected her first illustrated story of a naughty rabbit called Peter, on the grounds that they needed a bigger book, Beatrix remained adamant it should be small enough for little hands and not too expensive.

Such was her determination to see her book in print that she published it herself under the title of The Privately Printed Tale Of Peter Rabbit in 1901 in black ink to sell to her friends and relatives, and it is a series of these original Peter Rabbit illustrations that forms the centrepiece of a new exhibition of Potter’s work at Nunnington Hall, near Helmsley.

This is a rare opportunity to see a selection of 25 watercolours, drawings and preliminary sketches by the world’s most famous children’s author, whose illustrations and drawings are normally on display only in the Lake District, having been given to the National Trust by Beatrix Potter in her Lakeland legacy.

Along with some of her more unusual works, The Enchanting World Of Beatrix Potter exhibition also includes pages from an unpublished manuscript never before seen outside the Lake District.

Potter is more associated with colourful works, and Warne & Co played their part in that development, when they reconsidered their initial rejection of The Tale Of Peter Rabbit, on the condition that Beatrix provided colour illustrations.

Published in October 1902, Peter Rabbit was an immediate success, selling 50,000 copies in just over a year, and since that time it has never been out of print.

No less pleasurable than the illustrations and drawings in the exhibitions are comments by Beatrix, not least a letter to Millie Warne, dated November 17 190, in which she reflects upon the impact of her work on the villagers of Sawrey.

“The Ginger and Pickles book has been causing amusement; it has got a good many views which can be recognised in the village which is what they like,” she wrote.

“They are all quite jealous of each other’s houses getting into the book. I have been entreated to draw a cat with no teeth.”

Oh, the unexpected dangers that come with leaving behind Kensington for the northern clime, where the villagers are “stiffened by hard weather, a tough ancestry and the strength that comes from the hills,” as Beatrix observed.

Seeing these works in their original form, with their enchanting artistry and delicate detail, is a joy indeed, making you appreciate all the more why Londoner Beatrix Potter so enjoyed the countryside, the “pleasant, unchanging world of realism and romance” that inspired her pictures and animal fairytales.

The Enchanting World Of Beatrix Potter runs at Nunnington Hall, Nunnington, until April 25. Ring 01439 748283 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk for details of opening times.

Further shows this year will feature photographer Lee Miller in Lee Miller’s War in May and a unique photography exhibition by rock musician Sandi Thom in the early summer.

Throughout the Beatrix Potter exhibition, a series of Potter-related activities will be running, including a family trail in the garden and a special appearance on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday by Peter Rabbit, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and Tom Kitten for activities and storytelling.

Meanwhile, the hall’s tearoom will be serving some of Beatrix Potter’s favourite recipes and arranging series of talks based around the exhibition.