The real Winnie-the-Pooh revealed to have been 'Growler'

Previously unseen pictures show that EH Shepard’s iconic images were modelled on his own own son’s toy bear – not AA Milne’s

His tummy as portly as it always would be, Winnie-the-Pooh’s very first appearance has been revealed in a previously unpublished sketch from the 1920s by illustrator EH Shepard.

The Art of Winnie-the-Pooh brings together more than 150 images, 80 of which have never been seen or published before, from archives of Shepard’s work. Published next week, the book reveals the genesis of his iconic illustrations of theworld’s most beloved teddy bear, as well as the correspondence and collaboration with AA Milne that went into Pooh’s creation. The documents were found by James Campbell, who is married to Shepard’s great-granddaughter and has run his estate since 2010.

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