Milne, A.A. (1924-28) the complete ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ books, UK first editions with fascinating original handwritten and signed letter

Alan Alexander Milne (1924-1928) The Complete Winnie-the-Pooh comprised of “When We Were Very Young’ (1924) ‘Winnie-the-Pooh‘ (1926); ‘Now We Are Six‘ (1927); and ‘The House at Pooh Corner’ (1928), a set of UK first editions, first printings, published by Methuen. Accompanied with the set is an original handwritten and signed letter by Milne to his lifelong friend Marjorie Murray Rust. Single page autographed letter signed, on letterhead of 13 Mallord Street, Chelsea, S.W. 3. Written for Christmas 1934 as evidenced by the postal stamp on the accompanying original envelope. In the letter Milne gifts five Pounds to Alison, Marjorie’s daughter with the humorous line until she is of a more responsible age, say five. The change would be, if there was any change, for Christmas. Milne further reports on his son’s scholarly achievements and mentions that ‘Moon’ (Billy Moon was the nickname for his son Christopher, the Pooh books’ protagonist) has won a scholarship. Christiopher now goes to cricket school. Milne closes with his love and signs as ‘Alan’. A fascinating letter revelaing the author’s playful humour and pride in his son. Letter in near fine condition with usual central fold to fit the envelope.

The four books:

• ‘When We Were Very Young‘ (1924), UK first edition, first printing, second state (with the Roman numerals ix on the contents page), published by Methuen. Blue cloth hardback in very good condition in a very good dust jacket. The boards are clean with just a littl soiling at the back. Usual slight shelf-wear. The embossing and gilding is NOT rubbed out. No foxing, slight ghosting to endpapers as common. Top edge gilded as called for. There are no bookplates, no library stamps inside the book of any sorts, the text is clean, with no scribbles, and no children colouring inside as often encoutered. Occasional thumb-soiling but nothing major. The dust jacket is the correct first state specimen and very good.  The spine is browned. There is a chip to the top spine affecting teh title’s first two words, and another smaller chip at the foot of the spine. Slight soiling at te back panel but otherwise clean. One of only 5,175 first edition copies of which this is the second state issue (it is not known how many copies were printed of each variant). The first edition sold within a week upon publication on 6 November 1924. The second through sixths editions followed in December 1924 and by the end of that year the collection of short poems sold over 50,000 copies.
• ‘Winnie-the-Pooh‘ (1926), UK first edition, first printing, published by Methuen (one of 30,000 copies). A very good copy in like dust jacket. Boards are clean with usual slight shelf wear. The gilding on the front and spine is present without any rubbing and loss. Top page block gilded as called for. One previous owners’ gift inscription, date 1926 for Christmas as shown.  The dust jacket is first state showing 117th thousand and priced 7/6 net as called for. Darkening on the spine with small chips to head and foot of spine and minor wear to the flaps’ fold.
• ‘Now We Are Six‘ (1927), UK first edition, first printing, published by Methuen (one of 50,000 copies). A very good book in a good dust jacket. Red boards have retained their original colour and are clean. Gilding is un-rubbed and unfaded. Top page block gilded as called for. Slight shelf wear. One neat previous owner’s name on the front pastedown as shown. Good dust jacket with rubbing and tears to the spine, some tape repairs and wear.
• ‘The House at Pooh Corner‘ (1928), UK first edition, first printing, published by Methuen (one of 75,000 copies). Very good book in very good dust jacket. Salmon-pink coloured boards are clean with a tiny pale stain on the front cover. Slight shelf wear. No previous owners’ scribbles of any sorts. Top page block gilded, light ghosting to endpapers. Very good dust jacket with minor chips to the spine edges.

A very attractive set of one of the most loved children books of all time. Highly collectable with such a beautiful letter.