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Paddington Bear

Proud bear

Proud bear

Regular price £75
Regular price Sale price £75
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THE ART

We are delighted to present a collection of framed prints from ‘A Bear Called Paddington,’ the first time we meet a little bear at Paddington station, all alone and all the way from Darkest Peru. For more than sixty years, Paddington Bear has touched the hearts of children and adults worldwide with his earnest good intentions and humorous misadventures.

Michael Bond’s classic story is coupled with Peggy Fortnum’s wonderfully distinctive pen and ink drawings, which make beautiful framed prints for children’s bedrooms or nurseries. Fortnum’s first illustrations of Paddington were in black and white only, with some of her work subsequently coloured by other artists, including her own niece, Caroline Nuttal-Smith.

This collection of framed prints from the original book, first published in 1958, is a wonderful celebration of Paddington, a true British institution and part of the family. Now, who’s for marmalade sandwiches?

THE ARTIST

Peggy Fortnum (1919 - 2016) was born in Harrow on the Hill, north-west London, the youngest of six children. After serving in the women's branch of the British Army during the Second World War, Fortnum returned to art school at the Central School of Art, where she became a friend of Judith Kerr (best known for her classics The Tiger Who Came to Tea and MOG the Forgetful Cat).

Both Fortnum and Kerr were taught by the wood-engraver John Farleigh, who fostered their love of illustration. From Farleigh, Fortnum learned to use a more relaxed line and to make more mess, praised in the Times Literary Supplement: “Her line is exquisite in its loose and nervous rhythm; she can create movement with what, out of context, would be a meaningless squiggle.”

In 1958 Fortnum was commissioned to illustrate the first volume of Michael Bond’s Paddington Bear adventures, “A Bear Called Paddington.” Fortnum was captivated by the talking bear, visiting London zoo to sketch and photograph Malayan bears in order for Paddington to be convincing. Fortnum’s informal style and kind eye matched the warmth of Bond’s story. As Bond said of Fortnum: “She thought very highly of Paddington, as I did of her. It was a happy combination.”

THE PRINT AND FRAME

The art is printed on Hahnemaühle German Etching paper (310gsm), a conservation-grade high quality archival paper. This heavyweight etching paper has a fine surface texture and is one of the most popular media worldwide for higher quality artwork printing.

The print is framed by hand in Cambridgeshire in the UK, using only European sourced PEFC™ and FSC approved woods. Frames are Fine Art Trade Guild accredited which means they meet strict conservation standards and are built to last for generations to come.

We use Clarity+ glazing which is a high-quality acrylic glass alternative, offering high UV resistance which doesn't yellow over time, is not easily scratched and is safe for use in children's bedrooms.

Your framed print will arrive with D-rings and cord already attached, ready to hang right out of the box.

DIMENSIONS

Including the frame, with mount, the framed print is 32cm wide and 42cm high.

The print itself is 24cm wide and 34cm high.

All dimensions are approximate.

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