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The Quick 10: Winnie-the-Pooh Particulars

Stacy Conradt|

It was 83 years ago this week that A.A. Milne's classic Winnie-the-Pooh first hit bookshelves everywhere. Even if you think Disney's Pooh is passé (I myself am not a fan), you have to admit that the original story is a classic. Here are a few facts about one of the world's most famous bears.

pooh
pooh

3. There's been some speculation over the years that Pooh's last name is Sanders, as in "Winnie-the-Pooh Sanders," because he has the name "Sanders" written over the door of his house. As far as we know, this isn't true. After stating the Pooh lived under the name of Sanders, the book clarifies, "It means he had the name over the door in gold letters and Pooh lived under it." Most experts take this to mean that the previous resident was named Sanders and merely left his mark on the abode. We don't know who the mysterious Mr. Sanders was; however, there is one unconfirmed explanation: a real-life man by the name of Frank Sanders had a printing press that printed some of Milne's work and was a friend of the man who illustrated the Pooh books.

russia
russia

6. A first edition Winnie-the-Pooh book can go for anywhere from $700 for a book in decent condition to nearly $5,000 for a "presentation copy" signed book.

7. Hundred-Acre Wood is a real place in England. It's based on a place called Ashdown Forest in East Sussex. Many of the landmarks found in the Pooh books can be found there, including Poohsticks Bridget, Galleon's Lap (called Gill's Lap in real life), Roo's Sandpit and Heffalump Trap. In fact, in 2001, a 10-year-old boy took the "fake" map drawn by Ernest Shepard and navigated his way around Ashdown Forest for a documentary.

8. Winnie-the-Pooh has been released in many languages, including Esperanto and Latin. The Latin version (Winnie ille Pu) actually made it on to the New York Times bestseller list in 1960, making it the first-ever foreign language book to make it to the list. To this day, it's the only Latin book that has ever charted.

NPG x36166, Christopher Robin Milne
NPG x36166, Christopher Robin Milne

10. You can read about how Winnie-the-Pooh got his name here (and about a few other children's lit characters that had real-life counterparts). The original Pooh bear was purchased at Harrod's and was named Edward Bear.

Are you a fan? Or are you totally sick of the Pooh overload Disney has forced down everyone's throats in recent years? Whether you love the pudgy guy or would rather see him develop a nasty honey allergy, let us know in the comments.