Catalogue 87: Fine Books & Manuscripts

F I N E B O O K S & M A N U S C R I P T S

WINNIE THE POOH AND PIGLET IN COLOUR

54. Original Drawing Of Winnie The Pooh And Piglet In an autograph letter from Shepard to his literary agent. SHEPARD, Ernest Howard 29 Feb [19]32. Letter paper, embossed with Shepard’s Long Meadow address, backed onto card, 161 x 124mm. The main body of the card shows a drawing in ink and wash of Winnie the Pooh and Piglet cheering, surrounded by the text of the letter, addressed to Shepard’s literary agent, Curtis Brown, “Many thanks for your letter. I think you have done splendidly. This view is shared by others (as you can see) coloured.” Very good condition, a faint smudge to the drawing (likely by the artist). [41536] £50,000 An exceptional, very early colour drawing of Winnie the Pooh. Pooh had remained resolutely monochrome since appearing before his adoring public in 1926. Despite a fleeting glimpse in colour on the jacket of The Christopher Robin Story Book and some promotional material for the magazine Home Chat in 1928, the first published illustrations of Winnie the Pooh in colour were not scheduled until September 1932 and the publication of The Christopher Robin Verses , which included twelve new colour plates. It seems likely that Shepard’s letter is to thank his agent for successfully negotiating his fee to produce these colour illustrations, appropriately celebrated by Pooh and Piglet in colour.

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