Winnie-the-Pooh corner goes up for sale
A former tearoom where it is claimed Winnie-the-Pooh was first sketched has gone up for sale.
Affectionately known by locals in Clifton, Bristol, as 'Pooh Corner', the terraced property which is situated near to the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge, dates back to around 1790 and was previously frequented by author AA Milne in the early 1920s.
It is believed the ideas of a 'silly old bear' were drawn and discussed by Milne and illustrator EH Shepard during this time.
Martin Haigh from estate agents Haigh, who are listing the now two-bedroom house for £675,000, said it is believed to be the place where "Winnie-the-Pooh was born".
"Later on, probably in the 1930s, Ernest Shepard created an oil painting of Winnie, the only one he ever painted, and donated it to the tea shop, where it was on proud display for many years," he said.
“Sadly, the painting was sold around 25 years ago and is now in a museum in Winnipeg, Canada," he added.
The estate agent listing notes that it is a 30-minute walk to the city centre, “unless of course, you are Piglet or Eeyore, in which case travelling time may be a little longer”.
In October 2000, the oil painting of the bear – painted by EH Shepard in the 1930s – went on sale and was purchased by a group of people from Winnipeg for more than £124,000.
'Inspired by Winnipeg bear'
First appearing by name in a children's Christmas story by AA Milne in the London Evening News in 1925, Winnie-the-Pooh was inspired by a toy bear belonging to Milne’s son, Christopher Robin.
The bear had originally been called Edward before being renamed Winnie, after Robin saw a orphaned Canadian black bear called Winnipeg at London Zoo.
Winnipeg bear, also known as Winnie, was purchased by Harry Colebourn in Ontario, Canada, in 1914 but went to live at London Zoo after he was posted to the Western Front.
Serving with the Royal Canadian Army Veterinary Corps, Colebourn had intended to bring Winnie back to Canada with him at the end of the war but donated her to the zoo where she lived until her death in 1934.
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