Accession Number

2008.005.049

Description

A small, navy blue, hardcovered book, "The Tailor of Gloucester" by Beatrix Potter. The paper covered hardcover has a triangular inset picture of a mouse with thread, thimble and scissors. Embossed above is the title and bellow the author's name and publisher, "F. Warne & Co.". 81 pages.

Narrative

The Tailor of Gloucester is the story of a poor tailor who is helped by mice when illness prevents him from finishing a waist-coat for the mayor's wedding. The mice, grateful for having been rescued from the tailor's cat, complete the job for him, thus making the tailor's fortune. The story is based loosely on a true story of a tailor whose assistants finish an important job for him. 

Beatrix Potter originally self-published The Tailor of Gloucester in 1902 before it was picked up by her publishers Frederick Warne & Co. in 1903. It was said to have been Potter's favourite of her books.

History of Use

The donor was a collector of needlework items and left this to Craigdarroch as part of a large bequest of sewing tools. 

Date

1903

Dimensions

14.4 x 10.5 cm

Material

Paper

Country of Origin

England