BEATRIX POTTER’S GLOUCESTER

The story concerning the mysterious completion of a waistcoat at the shop of John Prichard in Gloucester, was told to Beatrix Potter by her cousin Caroline Hutton at Harescombe Grange. Caroline had heard it from a Miss Lucy who in turn had it from the tailor himself.

Miss Lucy is probably Ellen (Nellie) Lucy the eldest daughter of William Charles Lucy, grain importer, who built Harescombe Grange following the purchase of an estate there in 1861.

Intrigued by the tale, Beatrix Potter set about creating her own version and the original set of sketches depicting scenes and buildings in Gloucester were made in 1897.

The Tailor first appeared in a manuscript sent to 10year old Freda Moore as a Christmas present in 1901. A version of the manuscript was published privately by Beatrix Potter in the following December. She feared that Warne may think it too long and the many cherished rhymes would be edited out. When Warne eventually published their edition in October 1903, the text was shortened considerably and some of the illustrations removed. The remaining drawings were redone and a number of new ones added.

It has been possible to identify the buildings and streets that inspired the scenes featured in Beatrix Potter’s favourite book The Tailor of Gloucester. 

 

Casement windows surrounded by timber framing on the first floor of the New Inn overlooking New Inn Lane.

A highly decorated bracket supporting the first floor jetty on the North-East corner of the New Inn.

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The Mayor of Gloucester’s grocery shop at the Sign of the Golden Candle from the manuscript edition. This sign was probably inspired by Vickers grocery shop that stood at the top of Westgate Street. These premises had a large sculpture of a golden grasshopper on the façade. The grasshopper can be seen today in the Gloucester Folk Museum.

 

 

The rats in the Mayor’s cellar “..holding holiday and highjinks….and dancing the hays, in and out and round and about, amongst the casks and barrels”.

This illustration was removed from the Warne edition as it was considered unsuitable for young children.

 

 

 

The Tailor of Gloucester Shop is run by volunteers.

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