The plush bear Winnie-the-Pooh has celebrated its centenary, and the British side is expressing a desire to bring back their beloved character. Originally, the real toy bear named Winnie-the-Pooh lived long ago near a small forest in England with a little boy named Christopher Robin Milne.
Later, Winnie-the-Pooh went on a long journey at the request of publishers, which resulted in his permanent residence in the glass display case at the New York Public Library, which wishes to keep him.
Today marks the centenary of the book 'Winnie-the-Pooh,' and many Britons who deeply value him are pushing for his return home. This anniversary marks a century since the publication of the first collection of stories based on A.A. Milne's son's collection of toys, which occurred on October 14, 1926. Since then, Winnie-the-Pooh has been loved as a cute, comforting, and essentially English symbol.
To celebrate the anniversary, Great Britain is releasing commemorative editions, special stamps, LEGO sets, and a recently approved continuation titled 'The Little Boy and His Bear.' However, for some fans, the absence of the bear himself darkens the celebration, and they have revived a long-running campaign to repatriate the original characters—Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, and Kanga—from New York, or at least organize their visit.
Supporters ask what is keeping Pooh in 'Big Apple' when Paddington can reach London from the darkest Peru.
Christopher Robin Milne died in 1996 at the age of 75. But two years ago, Giles Brandreth, an author and friend of Christopher, visited New York as an envoy of Queen Camilla, hoping to arrange a centenary stay for these furry emigrants at Buckingham Palace.
However, the library declined this offer, citing the age of the toys and their ability to attract tens of thousands of visitors annually. Brandreth noted that 'it would be wonderful if it happened, but I don't see it happening anytime soon,' adding that 'the ball is really in the New York Public Library's court right now.'
The library, which did not respond to requests for comment, has previously resisted high-profile requests. Attempts to bring Pooh back over the years have included parliamentary questions, congressional resolutions, pleas from prime ministers, and mediation by two presidents. In 1998, a provocative speech was delivered by the then-Mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani.
Currently, requests are coming from Camilla, who herself made a royal visit to the library earlier this year. The Palace declined to comment on the Queen's discussions with library staff, only confirming that she reunited elderly Kanga with a replica of Roo, a very small member of Milne's collection.
Pooh himself is a 20-inch plush bear purchased at Harrods on Christopher's first birthday in 1921. He has been on public display along with his friends since the late 1980s as part of the library's extensive 'Treasures' collection.
These toys were not stolen, kidnapped, sold by Sotheby's auction house, or resold by greedy collectors on eBay. A.A. Milne, with Christopher's adult blessing, entrusted them to his American publisher for a promotional tour in 1947, and the publisher donated them to the library 40 years later. They are kept in good company next to Charles Dickens' writing desk, the first edition of Plato, and the First Folio of Shakespeare.
In 2016, they underwent professional restoration, which the library documented on Instagram. Nevertheless, the pure story of their origin and their life in New York never satisfied Pooh supporters, who believe Fifth Avenue is too far from the Hundred Acre Wood.
Gwyneth Davundee, a Labour MP, stated in the House of Commons in 1998: 'Just as the Greeks want to return their Elgin Marbles, we want to bring back our Winnie-the-Pooh along with all his magnificent friends.'
Davundee's initiative for the government to raise this issue with Americans initiated official efforts to return the 'Five Poohs,' as she called them. At that time, Prime Minister Tony Blair traveled to Washington to meet with President Bill Clinton. Journalists were ready with soft, toy-like questions.
Blair told ABC's 'Good Morning America' that this issue would be low on the agenda. His press secretary later stated that the government's position was that Americans would properly care for the aging toys. Clinton reportedly said that losing them would be 'unbearable.' State Department Press Secretary James Rubin stated that the US would not take a position on the matter, as the toys belonged to private individuals, while denying he had ever 'pooped on such an important issue.'
The headline of the New York Post read: 'SUBSCRIBE!'. Bronx Democratic representative Anita M. Lowie introduced a resolution in Congress to keep these creations where they are. Giuliani appeared at the library with reporters to declare that they are better off in the US than in Britain. The Mayor stated, according to The Washington Post, holding the bear in white gloves: 'Winnie-the-Pooh is an example of the best in immigration. Hey, Winnie, do you have a green card?'
And nothing happened, which often happens after a lot of official fuss. As Eeyore might say, if someone bothered to ask what to expect. But the efforts did not cease.
Later, Prime Minister David Cameron raised the issue during a meeting with President Barack Obama. An aide in the Oval Office reportedly called the head of the library, Anthony Marks, asking if the two leaders could announce at their press conference that the toys were returning home. Brandreth, who interviewed Marks, recounted this episode in his new biography of Milne, 'Where the Boy and the Bear.'
'You don't understand,' the aide said. 'I am speaking on behalf of the President of the United States.' 'You don't understand,' replied Marks. 'I am the president of the New York Public Library, and the answer is no.'
This refusal, according to Brandreth, prompted British Pooh fans to try a softer approach, which they hope will eventually bear fruit. The King and Queen offered Winnie and his friends a room at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle whenever they wished to visit.
Brandreth emphasized: 'It is not a campaign. It is an invitation.' And this invitation continues to stand, while Winnie-the-Pooh continues to sit in a thoughtful manner, which is typical for very old bears in beautiful glass display cases.