Potter, Beatrix

1-3) Three autograph letters signed ("Beatrix Heelis") addressed to Stephanie and Kenneth Duke expressing a bleak opinion of the war ("it is the aliens I am afraid of…"), suggesting "if the worst came to the worst send your daughters to finish their education in the States or Canada" and noting "…the American nation has behaved badly, but it is not the fault of our sincere friends…" ; discussing further plans for evacuation ("…it would be best for Jean. Tell her with my love she will be a goose if she does not jump at the adventure. She is helping her parents by lifting a little of the load of anxiety…"), wondering about the smuggling of money and noting her poor health ("I have not had a good 'summer', one cold on top of another, bronchitis in Sept which strains my heart…" (8 pages, 4to and 8vo, 28 May 1940 – 10 December 1943); 4) Autograph letter signed ("Old Sneezer") to "Sir" probably intended for publication, about penicillin, asking "have the students of cancer research ever experimented with cultivations from cancerous abnormal growths on plants?" and concluding "further experiments with fungi are very desirable" (2 pages, 4to, 23 November 1943); 5) Autograph letter signed ("Edith E. Gaddum") to Beatrix Potter ("My dear B") discussing family history research (3 pages, small 4to, 26 February [no year]); 6) Autograph letter signed ("Sallie"?) to Stephanie Duke providing an address in America (2 pages, small 4to, 26 June [1940]), some folds and creases, occasional short tears at edges

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Stephanie Duke (née Hyde-Parker) was a first cousin once removed of Beatrix Potter's and was the dedicatee of The Tale of Mr Jeremy Fisher. In 1929 Potter described her as "a silent pretty young woman". Her husband, Kenneth Duke, was a naval officer, and "keen, interested, alert but quiet mannered" (see Beatrix Potter's Letters (London, 1989), pp. 317-18). Beatrix Potter died on 22 December 1943 and some of these letters represent some of the last letters she wrote. The letter dated 10 December 1943 was published within Judy Taylor's edition of Beatrix Potter's Letters (London, 1989).