# - Shepard, E.H.

104 by 181mm., ink drawing, signed with initials 'EHS' in lower right corner, caption in pencil on reverse 'The Picnic' with artist's name and address, mounted, some minor spots, soiling and browning

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This original illustration is reproduced on page 55 of Winnie-the-Pooh. It is from the chapter in which Piglet meets a Heffalump.

Also included with this lot is a package of letters dating from 1952 relating to the sale of the drawing. It appears that the cousin of one of the directors of Methuen acquired the drawing in 1952 and sought further information. Two letters (4 pages, 8vo) from the director, Peter L.K. Wait, to his cousin, note that a publisher's copyright stamp would appear on all When We Were Very Young illustrations but that 'the artist owns the copyright for all the other Milne books' and that 'scratching out in the background... is the way EHS always treats the drawings that are to be reproduced. A letter from Shepard to Peter L.K. Wait (4 pages, 4to) notes that 'the fact that it [the drawing for page 55] bears my signature, which does not appear in the reproduction makes me think that there is little doubt it is the original. For, I put my signature to most of the drawings after the book was published and when the drawings came up for exhibition (Sporting Gallery)'. Shepard also notes that 'the Sporting Gallery packed up soon after [19]39'. The original Sporting Gallery label (for number 185 in an exhibition) is preseved in an envelope.

...Christopher Robin finished the mouthful he was eating and said carelessly: "I saw a Heffalump to-day, Piglet."