[Milne, A.A.]--Walker, Dame Ethel

Estimate

2,000 - 3,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

[Milne, A.A.]--Walker, Dame Ethel
Christopher Robin with a cat and toys
oil on canvas

502 by 400mm., oil on canvas, signed and dated "Ethel Walker 1923" lower centre, framed

Provenance

A.A. Milne; [sale, Sotheby's, c. 1970/71, untraced]; sale, Christie's, 12 June 1981, lot 54

Catalogue Note

AN OIL PAINTING OF CHRISTOPHER ROBIN BY DAME ETHEL WALKER (1861-1951), PREVIOUSLY IN THE POSESSION OF A.A. MILNE, PAINTED BEFORE PUBLICATION OF THE FIRST "POOH" BOOK.

The periodical Everyman published an article on 15 January 1931 in which a journalist visited Milne at home and described 'How Writers Work - A.A. Milne: The Happy Author' (reproduced within Ann Thwaite, The Brilliant Career of Winnie-the-Pooh, 1992). In this piece we learn that this portrait was in Milne's study:

"...I commented on his study, which is one that many a man would envy him - a tiny room at the back of the house where it is quiet, with one window, a gas fire, desk, books, MSS cabinets, and a painting of Christopher Robin by Ethel Walker..."

A photocopy of a two page letter from Christopher Milne, dated 19 March 1975, is included with this lot. It states

"...I well remember the picture. I imagine it was painted from life - when I was around 3 years old (in 1923) - and it hung in my 'nursery' until the war... I met it again about 4 years ago when I had a letter from Sotheby's saying that they had it for auction and asking me to confirm its antecedents..."