Winnie the Pooh sale sets record

The top lot was one of Shepard's most iconic images

A collection of EH Shepard's original drawings for the Winnie the Pooh children's books has fetched £1.26m at auction, in London.

The top lot, "He went on tracking, and Piglet... ran after him", one of Shepherd's best-known drawings, went for £115,250, a record for the artist.

Another drawing, "Bump, bump, bump - going up the stairs", sold for £97,250, almost double its lower estimate.

Sotheby's auction house said it was "delighted" with the sale.

As well as illustrations, the sale also included limited edition and signed books by author AA Milne and a first US edition presentation copy of Winnie the Pooh, dated 1926.

The edition, inscribed by the author to Shepard and including an eight-line verse dedicated to the illustrator, went for £39,650 against an estimate of £15,000-£20,000.

'Thrilled'

All but two of the 42 lots in the sale found buyers.

Philip Errington, Sotheby's specialist in charge of children's books and original illustrations, said: "We are delighted with the results of this outstanding sale which broke the previous world record for a drawing by EH Shepard.

"The public have a strong affection for these drawings and we are thrilled that this significant collection has notably exceeded expectations.

"The interest from around the world in these superb drawings, and the highly competitive bidding from many buyers, has demonstrated the world-wide appeal of Winnie the Pooh."