Tag: E.H. Shepard

Winnie-the-Pooh’s 90th Birthday!

A collection of Winnie-the-Pooh and friends Royal Doulton figures
A collection of Winnie-the-Pooh and friends Royal Doulton figures

That fine Sussex Bear, Winnie-the-Pooh, has just celebrated his 90th Birthday – not bad for a bear stuffed with fluff. ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ was first published ninety years ago, in 1926, by Methuen & Co. Ltd.

One of the greatest pleasures of life must surely be the returning to the familiar and humorous tales of Winnie-the-Pooh. These fond and witty stories of the adventures of a bear of little brain and his friends, Christopher Robin, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga and Roo, reach across the generations. Milne never compromised in his use of vocabulary or language believing that children were always up to the challenge. It is the richness and quality of his prose and poetry which allows his writing to continue to delight children and adults alike.

A first edition of ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ published by Methuen & Co. Ltd in 1926
A first edition of ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ published by Methuen in 1926

A.A. Milne’s wonderful stories and E.H. Shepard’s iconic illustrations have proved timeless. Both author and illustrator lived in Sussex. In 1925, A.A. Milne purchased Cotchford Farm on the edge of Hartfield, East Sussex; the year before ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ was first published. The surrounding Ashdown Forest would provide the inspiration for the Hundred Acre Wood where Christopher Robin and Winnie-the-Pooh’s adventures are set. E.H. Shepard lived at Lodsworth near Petworth, West Sussex.

Initially Milne was not sure that Shepard was the right illustrator for his stories. Published in 1924, ‘When We Were Very Young’ was an anthology of children’s poetry and became an instant bestseller. Milne acknowledged the contribution of Shepard’s illustrations to this success by arranging for the illustrator to receive a share of the royalties. It was an association which would endure. Their work formed the basis for Walt Disney’s film based on ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’.

The first adventures were bedtime stories told by A. A. Milne to his son, Christopher.

E.H. Shepard based his depiction of Winnie-the-Pooh on his own son’s teddy bear called Growler. However, Piglet, Eeyore and Rabbit were all based on toys in Christopher’s nursery. A trip to Harrods toy department by Milne provided Kanga and Roo.

If we asked Winnie-the-Pooh the secret to his longevity he would, no doubt, put it down to a ‘smackerel’ of Honey. But I think it is the rich, believable characters and the fond telling of humorous adventures about our beloved Pooh which have caused him to endure.

A Royal Doulton ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ figure group 'A Party For Me? How Grand!'
A Royal Doulton ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ figure group 'A Party For Me? How Grand!'

First editions of ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ often surface at Toovey’s in the specialist book sales and realise hundreds of pounds. The Royal Doulton Winnie-the-Pooh figures represent exceptional value for fans of this Sussex Bear, especially at auction. To find out more contact Toovey’s on 01903 891955.

And if a first edition is beyond your purse why not treat yourself to the BBC Radio Collection CD with Alan Bennett reading ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’. The voices he lends to these well-known characters and his gentle, fond tone are perfect. The twists and turns of these familiar stories are delivered with perfect timing – Alan Bennett’s telling of them is quite marvellous.

By Rupert Toovey, a senior director of Toovey’s, the leading fine art auction house in West Sussex, based on the A24 at Washington. Originally published in the West Sussex Gazette.

Winnie-the-Pooh: A Bear from Sussex

Ernest Howard Shepard - 'Make This a Pooh Christmas', pen and ink on prepared board, signed with initials, titled and annotated, measuring 18.5cm x 32cm

I wonder how many of us will be giving and receiving A.A. Milne’s wonderful stories about Christopher Robin, Winnie-the-Pooh and their many friends. These timeless characters are brought to life in our imaginations by E.H. Shepard’s captivating illustrations.

Both author and illustrator lived in Sussex. A.A. Milne purchased Cotchford Farm on the edge of Hartfield, East Sussex, in 1925. The surrounding Ashdown Forest would provide the inspiration for the Hundred Acre Wood where Christopher Robin and Winnie-the-Pooh’s adventures are set. Ernest Howard Shepard lived at Lodsworth near Petworth, West Sussex.

E.H. Shepard was born in St John’s Wood and by 1906 had become a successful illustrator. He served in the First World War and was awarded the Military Cross for his ‘conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty’ at the Battle of Passchendaele.

Milne had been uncertain that Shepard was the right illustrator for his stories. But after the success of ‘When We Were Very Young’ Milne acknowledged Shepard’s contribution by arranging for the illustrator to receive a share of the royalties.

A.A. Milne’s son, Christopher Robin Milne, was born in 1920. Famously the inspiration for the characters in these stories came from Christopher Robin’s toys. However E.H. Shepard based his depiction of Winnie-the-Pooh on his son’s teddy bear called Growler.

Winnie-The-Pooh was first introduced as Edward.

“Here is Edward Bear, coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump, on the back of his head, behind Christopher Robin. It is, as far as he knows, the only way of coming downstairs, but sometimes he feels that there really is another way, if only he could stop bumping for a moment and think of it. And then he feels that perhaps there isn’t.”

The pencil and ink drawing by E.H. Shepard, illustrated here, remains one of my favourite objects ever auctioned at Toovey’s. Titled ‘Make This a Pooh Christmas’ this festive scene depicts Tigger, Eeyore, Kanga and Roo putting on antlers, whilst Winnie-the-Pooh sits in the sleigh dressed as Father Christmas. Piglet busily fills the sacks with books. Judging by the city skyline the friends have ventured beyond the borders of the Hundred Acre Wood. Perhaps unsurprisingly this wonderful sketch realised £16,000.

A 1926 first edition of Winnie-the-Pooh in its original red morocco and gilt binding and with the rare original publisher’s box

Copies of these stories, even early editions, can be bought reasonably but what a difference a fine edition or a dust-jacket can make. Take for example this 1926 first edition of ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ in its original red morocco and gilt binding. It came in with its rare original glassine dust-jacket and publisher’s box and realised £900 in a Toovey’s specialist book auction. Published by Methuen & Co the four first editions shown here all had their paper dust-jackets. They included ‘When We Were Very Young’, 1924; ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’, 1926; ‘Now We Are Six’, 1927 and ‘The House at Pooh Corner’, 1928. Together they realised £2900 at Toovey’s.

First edition copies of When We Were Very Young, 1924; Winnie-the-Pooh, 1926; Now We Are Six, 1927 and The House at Pooh Corner, 1928; in their original dust-jackets

I still take great pleasure reading the stories of Winnie-the-Pooh, especially in younger company. The stories have the ability to fill me with joy and laughter. I love Pooh’s delight in just being him and his conversations with Piglet:

‘ “When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,” said Piglet at last, “what’s the first thing you say to yourself?”
“What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?”
“I say, I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?” said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully. “It’s the same thing,” he said.’

Who could not share Pooh’s delight in food when Christmas champagne, scrambled egg and smoked salmon are on the menu!

Toovey’s next specialist sale of books is to be held on Tuesday 21st April 2015. A first edition of ‘House at Pooh Corner’ from 1928 with its original glassine dust-jacket and publisher’s box is one of the early entries! If you would like advice on selling or buying collectors’ books please feel free to contact Nicholas Toovey at Toovey’s on 01903 891955.

Perhaps this Christmas you too should share the delights of that fine Sussex bear Winnie-The-Pooh. Whether it’s a new or a collector’s copy the stories, with E. H. Shepard’s illustrations, won’t fail to delight. Make yours a Winnie-The-Pooh Christmas!

By Revd. Rupert Toovey. Originally published on 17th December 2014 in the West Sussex Gazette.