A Bear Called Paddington

As the world’s much-loved, well-mannered bear gets set for his big-screen debut in the new film Paddington this November, the Museum of London is celebrating the small stowaway from Darkest Peru and his London adventures with a new exhibition, special events and activities.

The Museum of London will be getting its own life-size Paddington statue designed by BBC Sherlock’s leading man, Benedict Cumberbatch, as part of the Paddington Trail brought to the capital by Visit London, NSPCC and Studiocanal. From 4 November, visitors can follow in the furry footsteps of the world’s favourite Peruvian explorer across 50 sites throughout the capital city.

On 14 November, the museum will also open a new exhibition, A Bear Called Paddington, charting the story of the cherished character from page to screen, in a history that dates back nearly sixty years. The genesis of Paddington can be traced to Christmas Eve 1956, when his creator, Michael Bond, bought his wife a small toy bear from a London department store and named him after the nearest railway station to which they lived.

Through a mix of objects including a first-edition book, illustration and film and animation props drawn from private collections never-before seen together in the UK, the museum will show the evolution of Paddington from first-draft, right up to today. Highlights include:

A signed first edition copy of the debut story, ‘A Bear Called Paddington’ (1958), belonging to the author’s daughter, Karen Jankel
An original illustration of Paddington by Peggy Fortnum
The original typewriter (1965) that Michael Bond used to write ‘Paddington at Work’ and ‘Paddington Goes to Town’ once he left the BBC in 1965 to write Paddington full-time
An original plush Paddington by Gabrielle Designs (1980)
Props from the forthcoming Studiocanal film, Paddington, opening in UK cinemas on 28 November
2D cut-outs and original Paddington puppet from the 1970s TV animations

Hilary Young, curator of A Bear Called Paddington, said: “The exhibition, A Bear Called Paddington, celebrates the transitions that Paddington has made from his first appearance in Michael Bond’s novel in 1958, via his debut on the small screen in 1975 to his latest adventure in the movies this winter. Visitors will enter the Brown family’s front room at 32 Windsor Gardens and see a first edition of ‘A Bear Called Paddington’ belonging to Bond’s daughter Karen; one of the original 3D Paddington puppets from the 1970s TV animation; and from the new film, Paddington’s duffel coat, hat and suitcase. The stories about the stowaway from Darkest Peru who comes to London are loved around the world and the exhibition highlights his global phenomenon with several translations of the books, fan mail, and other worldwide Paddington products. Michael Bond’s stories about this well-meaning bear are timeless and there is a Paddington familiar to every age range in this exhibition.”

Karen Jankel, MD of Paddington and Company, said: “As I was born three months before the first book was published I have, quite literally, grown up with Paddington. He has always been a very important member of our family and so this exhibition is particularly special for me. I hope others will enjoy learning all about Paddington and his 56 year journey to the big screen.”

A family activity space where kids and their parents can play together and experience Paddington’s most notorious capers will run alongside the exhibition. And on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November, Paddington himself will take over the museum for a very special event called Paddington’s Picnic. Visitors can expect a large-scale family-friendly festival jam-packed with crafts, storytelling, and special guests, as well as plenty of marmalade sandwiches.