OH, BOTHER . . .
CLASSIC OR DISNEY POOH?
OK, all you Pooh collectors out there. I have a question.
Which do you prefer; the classic Pooh designs or are you a dedicated Disney Pooh collector, or both?
I suspect I already know the answer to this one and it is simply a matter of numbers.
Most Winnie the Pooh collectors we have talked with over the years are not really divided on this one, as they simply love Pooh and friends and their collections reflect some of both designs.
We say that it is a matter of numbers, because the Disney Pooh designs are produced in huge numbers and available throughout the country, where the Classic designs can be a little more difficult to come by.
If you make the trip to Pooh country in England you will find a good representation of Classic Pooh and friends, but you can also discover an ample selection of Disney's creation.
It is safe to say that Disney has a billion reasons to be pleased with Pooh and friends, as some sources claim that Pooh characters outsell Mickey, Minnie, and all of the Disney characters combined!
Total sales of Pooh products by Disney are reported to be in excess of a Billion dollars a year.
That is probably the leading reason that Disney has been defending their rights to Pooh for a number of years now in suits brought about by the heirs of Stephen Slesinger Inc, who holds rights to Pooh usage outside of Dutton books rights, held since they acquired the rights from A. A. Milne in 1930.
The battle has been waged in the courts with some limited settlements, but further claims have been made by Clare Milne, daughter of Christopher Robin Milne. With so much money at stake, it is likely that the disputes in court will continue. Perhaps for years to come.
To measure the popularity of our favorite bear with little brain, one merely has to look at some statistics. Winnie the Pooh books and videos have been translated in 29 languages, and entertainment and products bearing his likeness can be found in 38 countries around the world.
Our bear of little brain is also on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Pooh fans have another reason to be excited, as a recent press release states that after 90 years, Pooh returns to Hundred Acre Wood in a sequel.
Christopher Robin and his companion are set to make a literary comeback after the estate of A.A. Milne agreed to authorize the first-ever official sequel to the much-loved children's books.
Return to the Hundred Acre Wood by author David Benedictus picks up from the poignant ending of Milne's last Pooh Book, The House at Pooh Corner. The new book is being released in both Britain and the United States this month. Release date of October 5 was announced by Penguin imprint Dutton Children's Books in the U.S.
The new book is illustrated by Mark Burgess and stays true to the work of the original illustrator E.H. Shepard. Benedictus, who is familiar with the world of Winnie the Pooh after adapting and producing audio versions of the books, promised that the book would both compliment the work of A.A. Milne.
The illustrations in the original books by E.H. Shepard have always been recognized as an important part of the success of the stories. At an auction at Sothebys this past December, original Shepard drawings brought a record 1.26 million Pounds (1.937 million dollars).
Michael Brown, spokesperson for the Trustees of the Pooh Properties, said "The original books were one of the greatest celebrations of childhood in any language, but we believe that David Benedictus and Mark Burgess have captured the spirit and quality of those original books.
We hope that the many millions of Pooh enthusiasts and readers around the world will embrace and cherish these new stories as if they had just emerged from the pen of A.A. Milne himself.
The new book has 10 complete stories, with 150 pieces of art illustrations in it.
In 1961 Walt Disney Productions obtained a license agreement to certain film and other rights to the Winnie the Pooh characters, stories and trademarks from Stephen Slesinger Inc. and the estate of A.A. Milne.
Disney then produced a series of cartoon films, but Disney's story-telling style and characterization have little in common with Milne's stories and were not well liked by the Milne family.
Slesinger's simplified adaptations of E.H. Shepard's original drawings are described as "Classic Pooh," while Disney's work has always been recognized as "Disney's Pooh" and there are some collectors who still prefer the Classic style.
The original Winnie the Pooh bear and several of his friends were displayed for many years at the New York Children's Library when only recently they were moved to the Humanities and Social Sciences Library in New York City.
Although they are well worn and do not totally resemble the drawings by Shepard, they are considered an International treasure.
|
3428 Hillvale Road 
