The iconic bridge, forever associated with A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh books was originally constructed in 1907 in the Ashdown Forest as a sturdy river crossing for horses and carts as well as pedestrians.
 
Originally known as Posingford Bridge, Christopher Robin played on it as a child in the 1920’s with his father, the author A.A. Milne, inventing the game of Pooh sticks which provided the inspiration for the subsequent books.
 
First mentioned in The House at Pooh Corner It describes how Pooh accidentally drops a pine cone into a river from a bridge and after watching how it appeared on the other side of the bridge, devises the rules for Poohsticks. It subsequently appeared in later books being played by the other main characters, Christopher Robin, Eeyore and Tigger and was immortalised in E.H Shepard's illustrations.
 
This original bridge has been restored and reconstructed over the years replicating Shepard's original illustrations and was reopened by Christopher Robin Milne and officially renamed by him as Poohsticks Bridge in 1979.
 
By 1999 the bridge had become worn and degraded by the countless thousands of visitors and so was replaced with a new bridge built with considerable financial assistance from local groups and the Disney Corporation, whilst the original was dismantled and stored for many years in the Ashdown Forest Centre until recently when local Parish council gave permission for it to be rescued.
 
It has now been fully restored and reconstructed using local oak for any missing elements with each piece numbered, together with drawings and an analysis, prepared by the council on original/replaced elements.
 
Lot 131
Pooh Sticks Bridge from Ashdown Forest: A carved oak bridge circa 1907 with restorations and reconstruction
8.87 metres by 4.5 metres wide was offered in situ in East Sussex. (Estimate: £40,000 to £60,000)
Sale price £131,625 ($178,540) including buyers premium and vat.
 
James Ryland, Summers Place director said, ' the dismantled bridge lay neglected for years until two enterprising guys acquired it.' but now fully repaired and assembled again it can easily be moved and rebuilt somewhere else, as each part is numbered. James hoped the bridge would remain in this country; and it did despite so much worldwide interest. By coincidence 2021 is the one hundredth anniversary of the original 'Winnie the Pooh' bear owned by Milne and some fans had expressed concern the bridge may go abroad. However the lucky buyer was Lord De La Warr, who already owns the 'Hundred Acre Wood.'
 
Important Notice: The Home, Garden and Natural History Sealed Bid auction ended on 6th Oct 2021.
 
Salvo member, Summers Place Auctions is the world’s leading auctioneers of Garden Statuary and Natural History. Their first sale was held over thirty years ago as part of Sotheby’s Country House salesroom at Summers Place in Sussex. Over time the sales have flourished, establishing a global reputation. To register for future auctions click on 'Register' on the Summers Place website header.
 
See the Summers Place Auction website link for further information about future auctions and auction results.