by Mary Tyrer

Created on: March 27, 2009   Last Updated: March 29, 2009

It is important to understand the history for true Tigger collectors, especially for beginners. The transition caused the look and the role of Tigger to change drastically over the years. A true Tigger collector knows the history of Winnie the Pooh did not begin with Disney. A.A. Milne wrote a serious of stories for his son; Christopher Robin and E. H. Shepard did the original illustrations. The stories centered on Christopher and his favorite stuffed animals. Christopher Robin is the best friend of Pooh, Christopher appeared in many stories with other friends from the Hundred Acre Woods, Owl, Eeyore, Piglet, Rabbit and of course Tigger. The stories and poems were a favorite of children from around the world from the time the stories were published in 1926. Walt Disney started animating the characters in the 1968.

Although A. A. Milne's stories were written about Christopher Robin and his stuffed friends according to Peter Dennis, "A. A. Milne didn't write the stories and poems for children. He intended them for the child within you and me and countless millions of others. Milne rarely read the stories and poems to his son Christopher, preferring rather to amuse him with the works of P.G. Wodehouse." As an adult, Christopher Robin was not happy with the American version of Pooh and Friends that Walt Disney created, stating, "Many Americans know Pooh only through Walt Disney's cartoon version. This is an interpretation which, to me, is so far from the original as to be unrecognizable." With this information, a collector will understand the value of the original characters from the stories and poem written about the childhood stuffed animal favorite toys of Christopher Robin.

Tigger is a wonderful colorful favorite of the Pooh characters of many. Walt Disney brought Tigger to life as a silly, bouncing funny speaking outgoing lovable, one of a kind of animal from the Hundred Acre Woods. Once Disney animated the Tigger he and all the characters from the Winnie the Pooh series took on a new look. For that reason, collectors will have many variations of Tiggers in his or her collection.

When beginners start his or her collection of Tiggers it is important to look for the trademark of Pooh Corner, or Disney to ensure they do not have knock offs of their favorite character. Many versions of Tiggers do exist, the color of Tiggers nose will help distinguish what period and what location the Tigger is from, for example early Disney Tigger has a brown nose, and today Tiggers nose is pink. Tigger collectors should always leave original tags attached and or leave them in or keep the original box. In addition, Lenox Crystal has a great collection of Tigger items that come with certificates of authenticity. Lenox carries both E. H. Shepard's version of Tigger, and the Disney version. These collectables are numbered and well priced.

These few tips will help a person begin a Tigger collection and help be aware of the different forms of Tigger's. In addition, it will help to authenticate Tigger's in his or her collection. Ways to find some of the important information surrounding Tigger memorabilia. True Tigger collectors will normally want Tigger without Pooh or any of the characters. However, many of the best pieces of a Tigger collection will have Pooh and Friends due to the original movie from Walt Disney's The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, certain illustrations from the movie are important to have a well-rounded collection.

References

Pooh Property Trusts, (1999-2009) Pooh Corner, Pooh Property Trusts, Curtis Brown Ltd., 28-29 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4S8. Retrieved March 25, 2009. From:

http://www.pooh-corner.com/

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