Unseen Winnie-the-Pooh Sketches Revealed for Book's 100th Anniversary
Previously unseen pencil drawings of Winnie-the-Pooh, created by illustrator E H Shepard for the original 1926 book, have been unveiled for the first time to celebrate the centenary of one of the most cherished works in children's literature. The two preliminary sketches, shared by Shepard's family, provide a rare and intimate look into the artist's creative journey as he brought AA Milne's iconic characters to life.
A Glimpse into Shepard's Creative Process
These drawings, abandoned at the earliest stages of the book's creation, depict familiar passages from the story that were not illustrated in the final published version. One pencil sketch, captioned 'Climbing very cautiously up the stream', shows Pooh alongside Christopher Robin, Piglet, and Owl. It was intended for Chapter VIII, where Christopher Robin leads an 'expotition' to the north pole.
In that passage, Milne wrote: 'We are all going on an Expedition,' said Christopher Robin, as he got up and brushed himself. 'Thank you, Pooh.' 'Going on an Expotition?' said Pooh eagerly. 'I don't think I've ever been on one of those. Where are we going to on this Expotition?' 'Expedition, silly old Bear. It's got an 'x' in it.' 'Oh!' said Pooh. 'I know.' But he didn't really.
The other sketch is a delicate study for Chapter III, featuring Pooh and Piglet on a hunting adventure where they nearly catch a Woozle. Both drawings highlight Shepard's initial thoughts and artistic experimentation, capturing moments of vibrant creativity and movement that were later refined for the book.
Exhibition Details and Expert Insights
The drawings will be displayed at Peter Harrington Rare Books on Dover Street in central London, as part of an exhibition opening on April 17. Philip W Errington, a senior specialist at Peter Harrington, described the sketches as 'very special', noting their exceptional quality and historical significance.
Errington explained: 'In these preliminary sketches, Shepard's putting these first thoughts on paper and there's an absolute, vibrant creativity going on there. The skill that he's got in rendering movement is really quite exceptional. The pencil marks across that page are really beautifully done. You've got the rapid creativity plus Shepard's hallmark movement. These pieces really do leap off the page.'
He added that it is 'extraordinarily rare' to encounter such early drawings that capture the first moment of inspiration, where Shepard explored movement, character, and narrative solely in pencil. Regarding the 'Climbing very cautiously up the stream' sketch, Errington pointed out details like Christopher Robin at the front, a distinct Pooh, and a beautifully rendered Piglet, along with a small arrow at the bottom indicating adjustments for character placement.
Errington, who advised a 2017 Shepard exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum, emphasized the distinction between preliminary pencil drawings, where the artist played with images and ideas, and the finished illustrations that ultimately graced the book's pages. This exhibition offers a unique opportunity for fans and scholars to appreciate the early stages of a beloved literary and artistic legacy.
