Walter
Potter was believed to have been inspired by the work of Hermann Ploucquet
displayed at the Great Exhibition of 1851. Walter Potter would have
been 16 years old at the time. While he may not have seen the exhibit
in person, the book illustrating Ploucquet's anthropomorphic pieces was
widely distributed and numerous reproductions were featured in several
popular periodicals of the day. Interestingly, the print reproductions
of these pieces were embellished with more decor than the actual displays,
which would be in keeping with the greater detail of Potter's tableaux.
WP was
married to Ann Stringer Muzzell (from West End Farm at nearby Henfield) and
had 3 children, Walter J., Annie and Minnie.
1835
- (2 July) Walter
Potter born in Bramber, Sussex.
1854?
- Starts
producing the mounts that are ultimately used in Potter's first grand scale
tableaux, "The Original Death & Burial of Cock Robin".
1861
- "The
Original Death & Burial of Cock Robin" first displayed at White
Lion Inn (later renamed The Castle Hotel), owned by his father.
1866
- Potter's
business moves to larger quarters next to the White Lion Inn.
1868
or 9 - Son,
Walter J. born.
1877
or 8 - Daughter,
Minnie born.
1880
- Business
moves to nearby, specially built building, Bramber Museum.
1914
- Potter
suffers from a stroke in the early months of the 1914 War and never fully
recovers.
1918
- (21 May) Walter
Potter dies at 83 and is buried in Bramber churchyard. The museum passes
on to his daughter, Mrs. Minnie Collins.
1972
- Soon
after the death of Walter Collins, his widow sells the collection to Mr. Anthony
Irving. Within a year Mr. James Cartland purchases the collection and reopens
the museum next to the Palace Pier in Brighton.
1974
-
Mr. Cartland move the collection, Potter's Museum of Curiosity, to 6 High
St., Arundel, Sussex.
1985
- The
collection purchased by by Mr. Watts and moved to The Jamaica Inn, Bolventor,
Cornwall.
2003
- 23-24 September. The
collection broken up for the first time and sold at auction by Bonhams.
Shame
on the British government for not offering to buy this National Treasure to
keep it together and on public view.