OUR TOP FIVE… RARE WINNIE THE POOH COLLECTIBLES
Our Top Five Rare Winnie the Pooh collectibles
After the recent Pooh Sticks world championship, we look at collectibles of the bear of very little brain
Sunday saw the crowning of the new 2011 Pooh Sticks world champion.
The event celebrates the game enjoyed by Winnie the Pooh and his friends in the AA Milne books, and has been occurring every year in the village of Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire since 1983.
This year's title was won by nine-year-old Saffron Solitt, who beat an international mix of 500 competitors.
The light hearted competition is testament to the continuing fascination with the work of AA Milne and the drawings of EH Shepard among investors, here we look at our top five Winnie the Pooh collectibles.
Pooh in thoughtful mode
"He went on tracking, and Piglet . . . ran after him"
In 2008, a collection of EH Shepard's original drawings for the book achieved 1.26m at a Sotheby's sale.
The leading lot was a 115,250 drawing of Winnie the Pooh and Piglet walking in circles through the snow, which doubled its pre-sale estimate.
Sotheby's Philip Errington said at the time: "The public have a strong affection for these drawings and we are thrilled that this significant collection has notably exceeded expectations.
"The interest from around the world in these superb drawings, and the highly competitive bidding from many buyers, has demonstrated the world-wide appeal of Winnie the Pooh."
US first edition presentation copy
The same auction saw the 39,650 sale of a 1926 US first edition presentation copy of Winnie the Pooh, complete with an inscription by Milne to Shepard.
Tiggers Don't Like Honey
An original drawing of Tigger and Piglet sat round a kitchen table while Pooh reaches for a honey pot by EH Shepard achieved 32,200 at a 2008 Bonhams auction. The winning bidder came from Germany, demonstrating the worldwide love for Pooh and his friends.
Christopher Robin Milne photos and signature
In October 2009, a set of photos showing Christopher Robin Milne with his Winnie the Pooh bear and correspondence bearing Christopher Robin's signature sold for 6,880 - more than triple its pre-sale estimate.
Hundred Aker Wood map
In December 2009, a beautiful colour map of Pooh's world drawn by Shepard, including Hundred Aker Wood and Eyores Gloomy Place, made 49,250, matching its high end estimate.