EH Shepard's well known ink sketch of Christopher Robin, Piglet and Pooh on the famous 'Poohsticks' bridge auctioned for £314,500, a recent world record price for any book illustration at auction. The illustration which was first printed in A A Milne's celebrated The House at Pooh Corner in 1928, the sketch can be counted among the most well known book illustrations of the 20th century. It had been in the same personal collection since being acquired at Sotheby's about 40 years ago.

Dr Philip Errington, director, Sotheby's told, Unseen in public for 40 years, they knew that this drawing would really capture people's imagination, but today's result exceeded all expectations. The illustration is central to the Winnie-the-Pooh books, and in turn has become one of the most familiar cultural references of the twentieth century. The new world record price was well deserved and goes to show that the very finest book illustrations are becoming increasingly recognised as works of art in their own right .