Royal Mail has announced a new stamp collection to mark the centenary of A. A. Milne's beloved children's classic, Winnie-the-Pooh. The set of 10 stamps honors the book's 100th anniversary, with the original edition published on October 14, 1926.
Stamp collection celebrates iconic characters
The main set includes six stamps featuring Pooh, Piglet, Owl, Eeyore, Tigger, and a scene of Pooh alongside Christopher Robin. An additional four stamps, presented in a miniature sheet, depict a birthday picnic in the Hundred Acre Wood. All stamps showcase the illustrations of E. H. Shepard, which have introduced generations to the adventures of Pooh and his friends.
David Gold, director of external affairs and policy at Royal Mail, said: "For 100 years, Winnie the Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood have captured the hearts and imaginations of readers around the world." He added: "This delightful stamp collection celebrates A. A. Milne's timeless stories and the iconic illustrations of E. H. Shepard that have introduced generations to the adventures of the world's most famous bear."
Origins of the famous bear
Winnie the Pooh, also known as Edward Bear or Pooh Bear, first appeared by name in a children's story commissioned by London's Evening News for Christmas Eve in 1925. The character was inspired by a stuffed toy Milne bought for his son, Christopher Robin, at Harrods, and a bear named Winnie they viewed at London Zoo.
The first collection of stories was published in 1926, followed by The House at Pooh Corner in 1928. Milne also included a poem about the bear in the children's verse book When We Were Very Young (1924) and many more in Now We Are Six (1927).
Setting and legacy
The Hundred Acre Wood was based on Five Hundred Acre Wood in Ashdown Forest, located about 30 miles south of London. Milne's country home was nearby, and the surrounding landscape served as the setting for Pooh's adventures. The books have been translated into a range of different languages and have had several TV and film adaptations throughout time.
