In 1893 Beatrix Potter wrote a picture letter about the adventures of a rabbit named Peter to amuse a sick young child. Now, more than a century later, Peter is one of the world's best loved nursery characters. The Tale of Peter Rabbit was privately printed in 1901 when Beatrix failed to find a publisher. Her search for a publisher ended in 1902 when an agreement was reached with Fredrick Warne and Company to produce a color edition of her story. The book was an immediate success and has continuously remained in print.

In 1947 the directors of the Beswick Studio gave their approval for the first figure modeled, Jemima Puddleduck. Other characters from the tales written by Beatrix Potter were soon put into production. Through the years the collection grew to more than 100 different characters and today collectors from around the world search for their favorite figures.