Inside The Archives

Signed with a paw print, this letter from “Padington” (circa 1966) was sent to Australian booksellers and sales staff, encouraging them to sell the latest Paddington title. Michael Bond has been quoted as saying that “it isn’t generally known, but bears are very good at writing letters.” Paddington, the bear who arrived at Paddington Station from darkest Peru, features in more than twenty books written by Michael Bond and illustrated by Peggy Fortnum.