HUNNY POT POOH w/BANNER |
Inspired by reading A. A. Milne's Winnie-the Pooh books to their four children, John and Susan began to envision the characters brought to life in their studio. After obtaining a contract with the Walt Disney Company, the Wrights began to design their first character bear: Winnie-the-Pooh.
In 1988, the company introduced their most popular rendition of Winnie-the-Pooh. Dubbed "Hunny Pot Pooh" the 14" bear captured the essence of of Winnie-the-Pooh as depicted by E. H. Shepard in the original Winnie-the-Pooh books by A. A. Milne. Hunny Pot Pooh was made of the finest custom-made mohair/wool plush with embroidered features and glass eyes. Pooh had handset ears and perched on one of them was the smallest RJW animal to date: a honey bee made of wool coating with silkscreened felt wings and tiny glass eyes. Included with each bear was a custom ceramic honey pot made by the famous Bennington Potters in Vermont. Many collectors were surprised to find a silkscreened cotton bib for Pooh inside the pot! Hunny Pot Pooh was produced over a 3-year period in an edition of 5,000 pieces - the largest RJW edition ever made.
The first year of production the Wright's attended the first Walt Disney World Teddy Bear Convention. At the show, Hunny Pot Pooh was introduced to attendees in a special 'edition within an edition' of only 100 pieces. Each bear wore a custom-made dark green satin ribbon emblazened in gold leaf with the following: "December 7-11, 1988 - The 1st Annual WALT DISNEY WORLD TEDDY BEAR CONVENTION - R. John Wright's Classic WINNIE-THE-POOH." The banner was affixed with the newly-introduced 'RJW' brass button.
The thick numbered disc on a cord around Pooh's neck shows his edition number as #349 - an indication that he was among the earliest groups made. There was no certificate included with the Hunny Pot Pooh. Instead, collectors were given the option of sending in a small card which reads: "Limited Edition No. WP 349 - To receive a certificate of registration issued in the owner's name, please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope with this card and return to: R. JOHN WRIGHT DOLLS, INC. 15 West Main Street, Cambridge, New York 12816." This card and the small illustrated booklet are still attached to the string around Pooh's neck. If so desired, the owner of this bear may still obtain a certificate of authenticity from the R. John Wright company!
The rare "Banner Pooh" is one of the most difficult to find of all the RJW Winnie-the-Pooh bears. This bear is in all-original condition but there is minor loss to the gold foil lettering on the satin banner commensurate with age.
©Disney. Based on the "Winnie-the-Pooh" works. ©A. A. Milne and E. H. Shepard.
DIRECT PURCHASE: The Banner Pooh offered here is one of only 100 made and comes directly from R. John Wright Archives. The purchase price of $1,850.00 includes shipping & insurance in the domestic United States. [For overseas shipping rates, please contact the RJW office.]
TO ORDER ONLINE: Please select the option below which best describes your request. All orders are subject to availability.
Click this button to access the order form. You may also place your order request via phone: 1-802-447-7072.
