Potter gold by novice Beatrix sells for £213,000
War hero, 104 dies as nation hails VE Day
A RARE early image of Peter Rabbit having his coat buttoned by his mother was among the Beatrix Potter gems that have sold for £213,000.
She drew it in 1894
– seven years before publishing the tale.
The collection, all created before
Potter found fame as an author, included an eight-page letter sent to her cousin Molly Gaddum in 1897.
It features illustrations of characters from one of Potter’s favourites, The Owl And The
News Reporter
Pussy-Cat by Edward Lear. In total, 20 of Potter’s original drawings and letters were sold online by American Doyle Auctions.
The house’s Peter Costanzo said: “Part of the charm of this early period is that Potter did not intend to publish books for children. This was one of the finest collections of early Beatrix Potter artwork and it represented a rare opportunity for collectors.”
A WAR veteran aged 104 who died as the 75th anniversary of VE Day dawned would have been pleased at the timing, say his proud family.
Vinton Hall was a former major in the Royal Engineers, fighting in the Second World War and serving in Burma.
He returned home to his family in Exeter where he helped play a part in rebuilding the country including designing the city’s civic centre as the local authority’s chief architect. He often watched commemoration events for the war on TV but never discussed details of his own experiences.
His adoring family included wife of 77 years Dorothy Hall, their daughter Lynda Hore, 71, and grandchildren Jacqui Bull, 46, and Steven Hore, 48.
Vinton and Dorothy were also great-grandparents to two greatgrandchildren, Abigail, 17, and Toby,
Charlotte Penketh-King
16. He became a widower when Dorothy died at the age of 100 in July 2019 and moved to a care home in Bodmin two months ago.
Vinton died early in the morning of the 75th anniversary of VE Day on Friday. Lynda, Jacqui and Steven could only say their goodbyes through the care home window on Thursday.
Jacqui said: “My mum, my brother and myself went to visit him through his open bedroom window in the late afternoon the day before he died. “After seeing him, I thought ‘I hope he goes today’, you cannot ask for more than that. He has deteriorated since gran died.
“He passed away on Friday just before 6am. I’m very proud of him.
“He didn’t say much about the war. I wish I’d sat him down and spoken to him about those times. I am sure he would have told me all the stories.”