Unseen Winnie the Pooh sketches on sale for first time

Previously unseen preliminary drawings of Winnie the Pooh are to be put up for sale for the first time.

The sketches by illustrator Ernest Howard Shepard, dating from 1926, depict scenes that were never published in the final book, with guide prices between £9,000 to £30,000.

Dr Phil Errington, a leading specialist in children's literature, said that the drawings offered "a rare glimpse into Shepard's creativity at the time when these iconic characters were still being defined".

Shepard was a cartoonist for satirical magazine, Punch, before also becoming an illustrator of Winnie the Pooh.

He had lived in Guildford, Surrey, and died in Midhurst, West Sussex, in 1976, aged 96.

The nine sketches, released by Shepard's family, are to be displayed until 27 April at Peter Harrington's rare book gallery in Dover Street, Mayfair, London.

"To be able to obtain preliminary sketches, some of them depicting Pooh in situations that no one has ever seen before, is exceptional," Errington said.

He said that the sketches showed the "first moment of inspiration" for one of the world's most influential works in the history of children's literature.

As Winnie the Pooh celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, Errington explained why the children's book remained beloved.

"It is a combination of AA Milne's skill in creating characters and dialogue that is witty, touching and arresting," he said.

"And the story and the characters are exquisitely brought to life by Shepard."

Errington said that Winnie the Pooh was also loved by grown-ups because of the nostalgia and the bear's familiar idiosyncrasies, including his overt love of honey.

He added that adults could often relate to Pooh's simple but profound quotes about life.

Shepard was also famous for illustrating Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows (1931) in a new edition.

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