A rabbit is set to go under the hammer – but animal-lovers have no need to worry. The rabbit in question is a toy replica of literature’s best-loved lapine.
Sherborne auctioneer Charterhouse is selling a Peter Rabbit figure made by German toy manufacturer Steiff, which could fetch up to £1,000.
Naomi Grabham from Charterhouse said the seller had not previously paid much attention to the toy, after inheriting the rabbit from a friend who had known it as “Mr Hoppity”.
But after offering the soft toy to a museum, the curator made the seller aware of the toy’s identity and suggested she have it valued.
Beatrix Potter’s creation became the world’s first patented toy and German firm Steiff produced dolls of Peter Rabbit and all her characters.
Charterhouse will auction the toy on September 25 at its Long Street Salerooms in Sherborne. It is expected to fetch between £700 and £1,000.
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