Tuesday, December 24, 2019

The Tailor by the Hearth

The Tailor by the Hearth (1902):


is an illustration from Beatrix Potter's book The Tailor of Gloucester, which takes place in the days leading up to Christmas morning. There is a museum. Potter died on December 22, 1943, of complications from pneumonia and heart disease at the age of 77.

Just look at that cozy scene. That kettle will stay hot, I'm sure, in its place there, and we'll have a cuppa together. Please share your own drink-related post and join the weekly T Stands for Tuesday blogger gathering hosted by Bleubeard and Elizabeth.

You can read the book here or here. It begins,
In the time of swords and periwigs and full-skirted coats with flowered lappets—when gentlemen wore ruffles, and gold-laced waistcoats of paduasoy and taffeta—there lived a tailor in Gloucester.

He sat in the window of a little shop in Westgate Street, cross-legged on a table from morning till dark.

All day long while the light lasted he sewed and snippetted, piecing out his satin, and pompadour, and lutestring; stuffs had strange names, and were very expensive in the days of the Tailor of Gloucester.

But although he sewed fine silk for his neighbours, he himself was very, very poor—a little old man in spectacles, with a pinched face, old crooked fingers, and a suit of threadbare clothes.

He cut his coats without waste; according to his embroidered cloth, they were very small ends and snippets that lay about upon the table—"Too narrow breadths for nought—except waistcoats for mice," said the tailor.

One bitter cold day near Christmas-time the tailor began to make a coat (a coat of cherry-coloured corded silk embroidered with pansies and roses) and a cream-coloured satin waistcoat (trimmed with gauze and green worsted chenille) for the Mayor of Gloucester.
The story has been adapted several times, including a 1999 live-action adaptation starring Ian Holm, Thora Hird, and Jude Law:



and an animated version from 1993:








19 comments:

  1. I don't think I've heard of this story. Happy T-Day and Happy Holidays!

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  2. Happy Christmas to you. Yes beside the fireplace with a nice cup of tea, a perfect place to be. It looks like a green Christmas for us.

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  3. I don't know this story but that IS a wonderful cozy scene. Perfect for T and staying warm. I would love to share a cup with you in front of that fire. (But maybe it would be too hot in Memphis and better here in New Hampshire.) Time to explore Beatrix Potter. Maybe 2020 is the year. I hope you have a wonderful T day and even more so, a wonderful and Merry Christmas. Hugs-Erika

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    1. We're expecting a Christmas Day high of 66F roflol!

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  4. ...that huge pop up book is a delight. Wishing you a Merry Christmas.

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  5. What a fabulous post! I loved reading about the Tailor of Gloucester and the house too, I love everything Beatrix Potter and even have this book 😁. If I ever visit Gloucester I'll be sure to visit the museum and house 😉. We don't live that far from the Lake District where Beatrix Potter lived and I have been to Hill Top Farm many a time as a girl. Thanks for sharing and wishing you a magical Christmastime! Happy holidays and very happy Tuesday! Hugs, Jo x

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  6. I grew up with Beatrix Potter stories, and still have her complete works which I got as a kid. And I still love them Have a great day, Valerie

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  7. Anonymous7:40 AM

    What a nifty Christmas Eve/Tea-day post!
    --A Pal

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  8. What an absolutely PERFECT image an great read you gave us for T this Christmas eve Tuesday. Thank you for sharing it. I hope your Christmas eve is perfect, too. Thanks for joining the fun with us for T today dear.

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  9. Yes, a delightful story and a perfect, cozy scene for Christmas Eve

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  10. Great choices for Christmas-Merry Christmas and Happy T wishes Kathy

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  11. Fabulous post …
    Merry Christmas Wishes.

    All the best Jan

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  12. I haven´t heard of this story, but yesterday we saw a movie. It was British and weee... it really is a different accent to American or Australian!
    It reminded me of South-German. They say "Kromberre" for "Kartoffel" (potato) and you have no idea what they talk about! ;-) "Teppsch" for "Decke" (blanket), I was so lost!
    A very Merry Christmas and belated T-day to you (I have another today, just to make the confusion complete!)

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  13. Such a beautiful illustration! She was a very talented lady. We have visited her house in the Lake District, it was magical there.
    Merry Christmas!
    Alison x

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  14. What a beautiful illustration! It looks so relaxing. No, I don't know the story either. And I havenever visited the museum, although I have been to Gloucester. So I'm looking forward to reading the story (or watch the film).
    Wishing you a Happy holiday and happy (belated) T-Day.
    Hugs,
    Lisca

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  15. I watched them both. Neither of them looked familiar but I know I have heard this story somewhere before. Cute! :)

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  16. A great post. Beatrix was such a talented writer, her books are timeless and I'm sure they will continue to pe popular for many many more years.
    Belated T day wishes and I hope you are having a good Christmas Holiday.
    Yvonne xx

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  17. I've never heard of that book by Beatriz Potter, so thank you for sharing it. The dozing tailor in front of the jearth is a wonderful Christmas-y image.

    Belated Merry Christmmas and Happy T-Day! Eileenxx

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