THE MAN WHO DREW POOH PUTS GUILDFORD ON THE MAP

A large watercolour map of Guildford by Winnie-The-Pooh illustrator, E H Shepard, will be displayed at a major exhibition after its discovery in the University of Surrey's archive of his work.

Arthur Chandler, University of Surrey Archivist with Guildford map drawn by Shepard

The map, painted in 1940 for a company of the Home Guard which Shepard commanded in Guildford, was found by the University's archivist Arthur Chandler in the back of a map case. "I'm not sure if Shepard would have known it was there as it was wedged between the two layers forming the back of the case," said Mr Chandler, whose book based on the archive material held at Surrey will be published in December. The map forms the end papers of the book, which is entitled The Man Who Drew Pooh, and will be displayed at a major new exhibition of Shepard's work at Dulwich Picture Gallery. The exhibition - also called The Man Who Drew Pooh - will be opened by Dame Norma Major at a private view on December 4. It runs from December 5 to January 21, 2001 and features 108 pictures from the Shepard Archive, many of which have never been on public display.

The archive spans Shepard's lifetime - the earliest painting was completed when he was seven and the last when he was 90. Most of the Winnie-The-Pooh illustrations are held by the Victoria & Albert Museum, which has lent 15 pictures for the exhibition, but the University's collection is probably the most comprehensive catalogue of his work.

Shepard, who lived in Shamley Green for 51 years, gave the collection to the University of Surrey in 1972, two years before his death at the age of 96. Arthur Chandler, says that the circumstances of the gift are not documented. "But I believe Shepard decided that, as a young university, Surrey might like a collection of works and memorabilia from a well-known local artist".

After its arrival a small exhibition was held at the University and then the collection was carefully stored in boxes and filing cabinets in the University's library. It was available as a resource for research students but its true content and value was unknown until the arrival six years ago of the University's current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patrick Dowling, who asked Mr Chandler to take charge of it.

Mr Chandler and colleagues have subsequently been cataloguing and conserving the collection which has been rehoused in its own section. The collection was not endowed so a fund raising appeal was launched, to which varied contributions were received including some from members of Shepard's family. The book includes information based on his diaries dating from 1900 to 1972, 4000 letters, notebooks, sketches and manuscripts. This material places the drawings in their social context. All royalties from the sale of the book are being donated to the Shepard Appeal.

Among the pictures chosen from the 1,400 in the archive for the exhibition, which is sponsored by character merchandise company Rainbow Designs, are several pencil sketches for the Winnie-The-Pooh books, the colour cover for The Pooh Cookbook and a painting of Piglet and Eeyore playing musical instruments. The exhibition reflects Shepard's versatility as an artist, tracing a path from his early childhood, through his days as a student at the Royal Academy, two world wars, his domestic life and his career as a cartoonist for Punch and a children's books illustrator. It includes battlefield sketches, family and self-portraits, drawings from Punch and original illustrations from Shepard's autobiographies and the children's books he wrote.

"One of the many things I have learnt about Shepard was that he had no set style," says Arthur Chandler. "He could use three different styles in two different media within one week. He was incredibly prolific, always having pencil and paper at the ready and often used his notebook sketches as the basis for illustrations years later. We hope that the exhibition and book will awaken new admiration for the artistry of this great illustrator, who was also a lovely man who simply loved drawing, and bring this unique archive to a wider audience."

Mr Chandler will present a lecture entitled "The Man Who Drew Pooh: The Art of E H Shepherd" at the University's Griffiths Theatre on December 7 at 5.30pm. Admission is free but by ticket only. Tickets can be reserved through the University box office on 01483 876876. The book, published by Jaydem Books, will be on sale at the gallery, the University, Waterstones in Guildford and The Dulwich Bookshop during December and thereafter at other outlets.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

• Media Enquiries: Arthur Chandler, archivist for the Shepard Archive and author of The Man Who Drew Pooh, is available for interview and can be contacted on 020 7274 6744 or through Jacqui Spiers at the University Press Office on 01483 879314.
• Photos: A selection of photos of Arthur Chandler with illustrations from the Shepard Archive are available from Jacqui Spiers, University Press Office, tel. 01483 879314.
• Exhibition opening times and admission prices: Open: Tuesday-Friday 10-5; Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays 11-5 Admission £6; senior citizens £5; students, disabled and unemployed £3; children free.

RELATED EVENTS

University of Surrey

There will be a lecture at 5.30 on December 7 entitled "The Man Who Drew Pooh: The Art of EH Shepard" by Arthur Chandler. Admission is free but by ticket only. Contact the University of Surrey Box Office on 01483 876876.

The Dulwich Picture Gallery

On December 14 at 12.30 , Arthur Chandler will repeat the lecture already given at the University of Surrey. Admission to the lecture is free of charge. At 3 pm on December 10 there will be a children's event entitled "Teddy Bears' Picnic" with Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf. Children are encouraged to bring teddy bears. (£4 for children under 12; £6 for adults.)