Milne, Alan Alexander (1927) ‘Now We Are Six’, UK signed deluxe limited edition bound in vellum, Ernest Shepard’s personal copy

Alan Alexander Milne (1927) ‘Now We Are Six‘, UK signed extra deluxe limited edition, published by Methuen. Large-paper copy printed on Japanese vellum and signed by the author A.A. Milne and illustrator Ernest Howard Shepard, this being Ernest Shepard’s personal copy and not sold to the general public at the time of publication.  The most luxurious and exclusive format in which Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh books were issued, limited to only 20 copies for the general public. In addition a handful of copies were produced for the main people involved in the production (so called presentation copies for Milne, Shepard, the publisher). A truely unique book which legendary illustrator Ernest Shepard kept at home for decades before gifting it to a fellow illustrator.

Condition: There are no previous owner’s inscriptions inside the book whatsoever. No bookplates, no stamps. The pages are internally clean, and uncut. No bumps to the boards. Top page block slightly dusty with slight foxing. The are some ageing spots on the vellum. A very well preserved copy.

The Four ‘Winnie-the Pooh’ books are landmark and truely timeless books of children fiction. They have continued to entertain and have put smiles on the faces of young readers for over 90 years now. ‘Now We Are Six’ is the second collection of verses following the success of ‘When We Were Very Young’ (1924), and the seminal ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ (1926). The series was conclued in 1928 with ‘The House at Pooh Corner’. The first edition books, and even more so the the limited editions, are much coveted by collectors. This is a rare opportunity to own one of the scarcest editions of one of the best known and loved works of children literature. The fact that this was Ernest Shepard’s personal copy adds to its collectability.