This ad will be closed automatically in X seconds.

Celebrating 150 years of Beatrix Potter

LicensingSource has an exclusive peek through the Frederick Warne archive at the V&A.

Beatrix Potter’s tales of Peter Rabbit and his friends have captured the imaginations of children around the world for over 100 years. As Penguin and Silvergate Media, licensing agent for the Peter Rabbit brand, prepare to celebrate 150 years since her birth, LicensingSource had an exclusive look through the Frederick Warne archive at the V&A of Beatrix Potter’s early licensed products.

Peter Rabbit was the first licensed literary character in the world. After the success of the books with publisher Frederick Warne & Co, Beatrix herself initiated the development of Peter Rabbit merchandise by registering a patent for a Peter Rabbit doll with the Patent Office in 1903.

“This really was the start of the Peter Rabbit merchandise programme,” says Sara Glenn, curator of the Frederick Warne archive. “Beatrix was ahead of her time when it came to merchandising, and we know from letters in our archives that she was very hands-on. In 1910 she designed a Jemima Puddle-Duck doll, which was made by J.K Farnell. Not only did she negotiate the agreement, she also visited the factory in Acton to collect royalties! That would’ve been most unusual for a woman in that time.”

Beatrix’s goal was to create high-quality merchandise which was true to the original stories and she was fiercely protective of her characters. “Beatrix took a lot of care with her characters. The animals are all anatomically correct and true to form. She was not afraid to tell people what she thought of their designs,” says Sara. In 1923 William O’Hanlon approached Warne with a design for cretonne fabric. In a letter to Warne, Beatrix describes the animals as ‘awful’. Presumably O’Hanlon made some changes, and the fabric went into production with a licence issued for three years.

The Frederick Warne archive also includes gems such as Beatrix’s original sketches of a board game, embroidered cotton handkerchiefs, bronze figurines, rubber dolls, biscuit tins, a jigsaw puzzle and ceramic tiles. “Even by today’s standards, Beatrix developed a huge range of licensed product,” says Susan Bolsover, head of licensing and consumer products at Penguin Ventures. “She was a pioneer and a very astute businesswoman and thanks to her early efforts, Peter Rabbit has appeared in books and on licensed product in more than 110 countries throughout the world.”

Penguin Ventures and Silvergate will be celebrating the legacy of Beatrix Potter in 2016 with some exciting partnerships and products; not just focusing on Peter Rabbit, but also Beatrix’s work as a conservationist, botanist, businesswoman and artist.

MORE NEWS
WickedPrimark1500x500
 
The collection - in collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences - features over 50 pieces across womenswear and kidswear, as well as homeware and accessories....
AAAGroovy500x500
 
“This allows us to broaden our reach and introduce a fantastic range of softline products that complement our existing portfolio. We’re thrilled to continue Groovy’s legacy of quality with AAA’s expertise and vision."...
TheWoohoos500x500
 
London-based production company, Snipple is moving its two preschool series - The Woohoos and The Singalings - into the licensing space....
RitzParis500x500
 
As its exclusive global licensing agency, Beanstalk will extend Ritz Paris into a variety of lifestyle categories through partnerships that reflect and celebrate the glamour, heritage and timeless elegance of the world-renowned luxury brand....
TfLlunchbox500x500
 
Designed by creative agency Crush Creative, the guide includes a set of colourful, illustrated assets that draw on TfL’s heritage and serve as a toolkit for licensees developing products for young audiences....
Tulipop500x500
 
Tulipop Studios - creator and owner of the Icelandic character-based Tulipop IP - is growing into new markets having secured a number of fresh deals....
Get the latest news sent to your inbox
Subscribe to our daily newsletter

The list doesn't exist! Make sure you have imported the list on the 'Manage List Forms' page.