Collecting Classic Winnie the Pooh

The little bear continued to win new admirers the moment Disney started producing animated Winnie the Pooh features back in the 1960s.

Today, his iconic status has made him a positive merchandising goldmine and his happy face can be found adorning everything from t-shirts to toothbrushes. As a result, the scope for collectors is phenomenal with something to suit every budget.

Classic Winnie the Pooh

The inspiration for the fictional Winnie the Pooh was a teddy bear bought from Harrods in 1921. The bear, which was made by the famous British soft toy manufacturer, J.K. Farnell & Co. Ltd., was purchased as a first birthday gift for Christopher Robin. He was an only child of popular playwright Alan Alexander Milne and his wife, Daphne.

The ‘Winnie’ part came from Winnipeg, the name of a black bear that Christopher Robin was privileged to meet at London Zoo. The bear had been brought to England at the start of World War I as the unofficial mascot of a Canadian cavalry regiment. The regiment left Winnipeg at London Zoo when they went to France in 1915.

Through friends, the Milnes' were able to arrange for their small son to have a closer encounter with Winnie. According to contemporary reports, the small boy was initially uneasy when he came into close proximity with the bear but he overcame his nerves and stepped forward to stroke her. After that, he decided that Winnie was a fine animal and gave his name to his toy bear.

According to legend, Christopher Robin originally gave the name ‘Pooh’ to a swan he used to watch in Arundel, Sussex. The definite article separating Winnie and Pooh, perhaps because its addition imparted a sense of grandeur.

A.A. Milne, a fond father, found his son’s early childhood enchanting and decided to preserve it in a collection of poems. Published first by Punch magazine early in 1924 and reproduced later that year in a volume entitled When We Were Very Young.

The original, Farnell-made Winnie the Pooh is still very much in existence and can be viewed free of charge at the Children’s Library within the main branch of the New York Public Library on 42nd & 5th Avenue.

Milne followed up the success of When We Were Very Young in 1926 with the publication of Winnie-the-Pooh. Which received rave reviews on both sides of the Atlantic. As did its follow-up, The House at Pooh Corner, and a second volume of verses, Now We Are Six.

The charming, whimsical antics of Pooh and his chums had touched the hearts of millions, and continue to do so today which is why there is such an abundance of collecting opportunities.

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Winnie the Pooh Collectors Items

Over the years, many manufacturers have had a go at making versions of Winnie the Pooh in a wide range of sizes. Names to look for include Merrythought, Gund, Teddy Hermann, Steiff and Gabrielle Designs. Active from the 1970s to the 1990s, Gabrielle Designs are best known for making Paddington Bear toys but they also made charming versions of Pooh which are less frequently encountered on the secondary market.

Prices for china and resin figurines will depend both on the manufacturer and on the person selling them. You could consider buying from a dealer that specialises in character merchandise. There are plenty of these around and the advantage of purchasing from them is that because they are specialists, they always have a good and varied stock, and they also have expert knowledge which can be invaluable to a novice collector.

Brand names to look out for include Royal Doulton, Beswick and Border Fine Arts. One of the best known Pooh figurines is the one issued by Beswick between 1968 and 1990. Modeled by Albert Hallam, it measures about 2.5 inches high and shows a smiling Pooh wearing a red top which doesn’t quite reach over his fat little tum. Prices for this piece vary but specialist dealers charge from £35 to £50 for examples in mint condition.

Winnie the Pooh Books

The dream for every real Pooh enthusiast must be to own a first edition copy of Winnie The Pooh. But you may need deep pockets to make the dream a reality. Examples in good condition and with their original dust jackets can sell for between £1,000 and £1,500. Although with diligent searching, you can find bargains.

First editions aside, however, early editions are surprisingly affordable, probably because the books have been reprinted in such vast quantities over the years.

Another way to enjoy the Pooh books is to track down The Complete Winnie the Pooh which was published by the Folio Society in 2004. This handsome set is housed in a protective slipcase and includes three volumes – Winnie the Pooh, The House at Pooh Corner and The Complete Poems for Christopher Robin. It is no longer available from the Folio Society but can be tracked down on the secondary market at a cost of around £100.

Disney Winnie the Pooh

You could also build a large soft toy collection by concentrating solely on the Disney toys.

Offered in a dizzying range of sizes and disguises, there is enough scope in that one category alone to keep a collector busy for years. Apart from the Disney Store offerings, there are varieties made especially for sale in the Disney theme parks across the globe. As well as those created, usually in quite small editions, for the annual Disney Conventions.

Once you start looking, you can find charming Winnie the Pooh collectables all over the place. From E.H. Shepard prints to adorn your walls to calendars to help you keep track of time. There are countless ways in which the bear of little brain can brighten your home.

In fact, with so much choice available, the main problem will be knowing when to stop!

If you want more ideas for your Winnie the Pooh collection. You will find some in the next issue of Collectors Gazette!

Click the links within the article to add to your Winnie the Pooh collection ASAP!