King, Charles

1-2) Beatrix Potter in doorway at Hill Top Farm (2 copies); 3-5) Beatrix Potter with Kep (3 copies); 6) Beatrix Potter watching ducklings (1 copy); 7-12) Beatrix Potter with V.J. King (standing) (6 copies); 13) Beatrix Potter with Mrs Alcock Beck (1 copy); 14) Beatrix Potter with Mrs Alcock Beck (both standing) (1 copy); 15) autograph letter signed ("C.G.Y. King") to Beatrix Potter presenting photos and noting "it is a great pleasure to me to have had the opportunity of taking these photos", together with envelope (4to, Newcastle on Tyne, 4 July 1913, 1 page); 16) Kep lying by door (1 copy)

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."

Items 1 to 14 were all probably taken by Charles G.Y. King in 1913. They include the famous image of Potter standing by the doorway at Hill Top Farm. Of the photo taken with ducklings, Potter wrote "I am much amused with six little ducks waddling about the garden… They rush for presents of worms and caterpillars" (see Judy Taylor’s Beatrix Potter, London, 1986, p. 127). It appears that King sent copies of his photographs during July 1913. In the envelope for that letter Potter also kept a photograph of her favourite collie, Kep. She annotated the envelope "Only picture I have of Kep. Taken by some visitors – American?" Given that Charles King sent a photograph of her seated with Kep, Potter was evidently mistaken in the number of photos of the dog. This lot also includes a letter from Joan Duke and a photocopy of a newspaper cutting providing some background.