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Winnie the Pooh illustrated letter by E.H. Shepard

130. Winnie the Pooh illustrator E.H. Shepard writes an illustrated letter from "Pooh" and "Piglet" sending their regrets for not being able to attend a child's birthday party. A rare and fantastic letter "written" by Winnie the Pooh and Piglet on Pooh illustrator E.H. Shepard's beige address embossed stationery (measuring approx. 7 in. x 5 ¼ in.). The illustrated letter expresses Pooh and Piglet's regrets for not being able to attend a child's party. A fine and charming piece with two detailed pen and ink drawings showing Piglet on the left crying, with his back turned to Pooh, who is on his right, also crying. The letter, addressed to "Buffkins", was penned by Shepard in 1930 and includes Pooh's misspellings (in full): "March 17rd We are so sory that we cant come to yuor party." It is signed, "Piglet" and "Pooh" below each respective drawing. Shepard wrote the letter in reply to a party invitation to the fictional bear. It is littered with deliberate misspellings lending authenticity to its attribution. "Buffkins" was the childhood name of Dr. Harry Stopes-Roe, the son of birth control pioneer Marie Stopes. The illustrator was a close friend of his mother and he would invite him and the bear to parties. The younger Stopes stated, "Quite often Shepard came, but when he did not come he sent those letters." One other letter (with only Pooh drawn) resides in the British Library's archive. An incredible Pooh piece. $30,000 - $50,000

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