For 2006, we are pleased to announce the addition of Tom Thumb™ to the highly-acclaimed R. John Wright Beatrix Potter™ Collection. This whimsical mouse character made his appearance in the book "The Tale of Two Bad Mice" first published in 1904. The Tale of Two Bad Mice is a charming story about two mice named "Hunca Munca" and "Tom Thumb." Together they explore a dolls' house and cause much mischief to happen there. At one point, Tom Thumb picks up a tiny doll house fireplace shovel to break open the plaster food. Both mice are very disappointed to discover that there is only play food in the dolls' house!

The Tale of Two Bad Mice was the fifth of Beatrix Potter's little books and like the previous four was an immediate success. It was written at a particularly happy time of life for Beatrix Potter. She and her editor, Norman Warne, were becoming firm friends and he fashioned a new cage for Beatrix's pet mice, Tom Thumb and Hunca Munca, so she could more easily draw them for her new book. He had also made a doll house for his favorite niece, Winifred, and Beatrix was invited to visit and sketch this too. Some of the actual doll house furniture and plaster food shown in the illustrations can still be seen on display at Hill Top, her first Lakeland home. Beatrix dedicated the book to Winifred, the little girl who had the dolls' house.

Measuring a diminutive 3 1/4" tall, Tom Thumb is made of the finest custom made mohair plush and jointed at the neck and shoulders. He features realistic coloring, black glass eyes, whiskers, resin hands and feet, and a leather tail.

Just as in the original Beatrix Potter illustrations, Tom Thumb comes holding a detailed miniature brass shovel which he aims at a hand painted ham on a platter! No detail has been overlooked in striving for the utmost in accuracy to bring this beloved Beatrix Potter™ character to life.

Produced in a numbered limited edition of just 500 pieces worldwide, Tom Thumb will come inside a deluxe presentation box. Included will be the signed and numbered Certificate of Authenticity and forms for owner registration. Subject to availability, the matching-number service will be provided to Hunca Munca™ or previous pieces in the R. John Wright Beatrix Potter™ Collection. Please contact your RJW dealer for further details.

ESTIMATED AVAILABILITY: Available Now
The first 250 PCs have been shipped to retailers.
The final group of 250 PCs will be shipped in June.

Click here to go to the Hunca Munca™ page.

©Frederick Warne & Co., 2006. Licensed by ©opyrights.