THE REAL POOH
Winnie the Pooh’s new live-action film, “Christopher Robin,” is in theaters, so we look at the beloved children’s franchise.
THE AUTHOR
The creator of “Winnie-the-Pooh,” is A. A. Milne, who was a successful playwright and humor writer before he published children's books. During World War I he served for the British Army, and in 1916 was wounded in combat. He was recruited to write propaganda articles for military intelligence until the war was over. He also served for the British Home Guard during World War II.
Milne married in 1913 and his first child, Christopher Robin, was born in 1920. Most of the characters in the “Winnie-the-Pooh” series were toys given to his son.
Milne was a prolific writer and published seven novels and five nonfiction books. He also wrote many plays and screenplays in a career that spanned from 1917 to the 1950s. He met the illustrator for his most famous Pooh books through his connections with the staff at Punch, a British weekly magazine.
Milne had a debilitating stroke in 1952 and died in 1956 at age 74.
THE REAL ROBIN
Author A.A. Milne with his son Christopher Robin and the original Pooh Bear in 1926.
The 1996 obituary in the British newspaper the Independent states that Christopher Robin was a platoon commander in World War II and was wounded in combat. After the war he married his first cousin and was estranged from his parents for 30 years. He owned a bookstore and wrote five books. He sold his share of the royalties he inherited from the Pooh books to the Royal Literary Fund to set up a trust for his severely disabled daughter, Clare.
ACRES OF ILLUSTRATION
Last month, the original map of the 100 acre wood was auctioned by Sothebys in London. The 10-1/2 inch by 14-inch drawing by E.H. Shephard was estimated to be worth about $100,000 and sold for more than $550,000.
E.H. Shephard was a successful illustrator and cartoonist before and during World War I. During the war he was a decorated observation officer and used his artistic skills to map enemy positions on battlefields.
Shepard illustrated more than 60 books from 1924 to 1971 and died at age 96 in 1976. Milne recognized Shepard's contributions to the success of his series by giving him a share of the royalties.
BEARING FRUIT
The characters A.A. Milne created have become huge earners for Disney. In 2002, Pooh made the Forbes list for top earning fictional characters with $5.3 billion. Winnie-the-Pooh is considered the first character to reap massive licensing rights. Literary agent Stephen Slesinger gained rights to sell Pooh products in the U.S. and Canada in 1930. He made a fortune selling lunch boxes and toys. In 1961, Walt Disney bought the film and TV rights to the characters.
THE RIGHT STUFFED
Pooh Bear was originally named Edward and was a gift to Christopher Robin on his first birthday on Aug. 21, 1921. The name “Winnie-the-Pooh” comes from a Canadian black bear named Winnie (after Winnipeg) that was kept at the London zoo.
Milne traces the origin of the name “Pooh” in the introduction of his book “When We Were Very Young,” writing: “Christopher Robin, who feeds this swan in the mornings, has given him the name of ‘Pooh.' This is a very fine name for a swan, because, if you call him and he doesn't come (which is a thing swans are good at), then you can pretend that you were just saying ‘Pooh!' to show him how little you wanted him.”
The illustrations of Pooh Bear were not based on the actual Pooh Bear that Christopher Robin was given, but on a teddy bear named Growler that illustrator, E.H. Shepard's son had. Growler may have been torn apart by a family dog.
COMING TO AMERICA
The New York Public Library's timeline of the toys:
1920
August 21, Christopher Robin Milne born.
1921 August 21, a 20-inch high teddy bear (Winnie-the-Pooh), from Harrods in London, given to Christopher Robin Milne on his first birthday. 1924
“When We Were Very Young” published.
1925
Pooh first appeared in the London Evening News on Christmas Eve 1925 in a story called “The Wrong Sort of Bees.” 1926
“Winnie-the-Pooh” published. 1927
“Now We Are Six” published. 1928
“The House at Pooh Corner” published.
1947
Former Dutton Publishing President Elliott Macrae visits A.A. Milne at his house in Sussex, and sees the original toy animals that inspired Winnie the Pooh. The real Pooh and friends tour the United States.
NEW POOH
Pooh Bear in his first live-action film will look much like the cartoon version. 1956
The real Pooh and friends are put on display at E.P. Dutton & Co. Publishers in New York City.
1969 The real Pooh and friends make a temporary visit back to England for an exhibition of the drawings of Ernest H. Shepard, on the occasion of the illustrator's 90th birthday.
1973
“Winnie the Pooh,” new edition with color illustrations by Ernest H. Shepard, published. 1976
The real Pooh and friends make their last trip to England to participate in the 50th birthday of Winnie-the-Pooh arranged by Methuen & Company Publishers.
1987
Sept. 11: Presentation of Pooh and friends to The New York Public Library, where they are put on display for the public.
1988
Pooh and friends receive professional conservation treatment that includes vacuuming and assorted repairs.
1998
Pooh and his friends become the center of international attention when a British Member of Parliament decides they should be returned to England. The U.S. and England agree that Pooh and his pals are happy and healthy on American soil, and it is unanimously decided that they will remain at The New York Public Library. 2015-2016
Pooh and Friends receive professional conservation treatment. They return to the Library on Aug. 3, 2016.