Milne, A.A. (1926) ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’, UK first deluxe edition in blue leather with handwritten and signed letter

Alan Alexander Milne (1926) ‘Winnie-the-Pooh‘, UK first deluxe edition, first printing, published by Methuen. Included is a handwritten and signed letters by A.A. Milne addressed to his long-time friend Vincent Seligman (further details below). The book was the first deluxe edition published simultaneously with the first trade edition in 1926. However, whereas the print run of the first trade edition was 30,000, the deluxe edition was with 3,000 copies considerably lower. Furthermore, the deluxe edition was divided into three variants: in green, red and blue calf. So this here is one of only 1,000 copies of which many will not have survived the passage of time in decent condition.

Condition of the book: very good. No previous owners’ names, scribbles, stamps, bookplates etc. There is a small book seller label at the bottom of the rear end paper, a common practice of book sellers back in the day. The boards have retained the deep blue colour of the leather and the gilded emblem of Christopher Robin with Winnie is vibrant and not rubbed out. Internally, the pages are clean and the page block edges are gilded. The spine is dulled by the passage of time nad has some rubbing and splits around the folds. Some rubbing to the edges of the boards. Slight stains on the endpapers. The original silk book mark is still there but detached. Still, a very good copy and exceptionally hard to find.

The handwritten letter’s content bears testimony of the anticipation of the birth of Christopher Robin. It is a single page ALS, 4.5″ x 6″, on 11 Mallord Street, Chelsea letterhead. Dated “15.iv.20” and signed by A.A. Milne in full signature as “A.A. Milne”. Center fold, else fine.

An incredible letter marking the first whisper of the catalyst for Milne’s Winnie The Pooh series. Although Milne would not know it at the time, the birth of his son Christopher Robin in August of 1920 which would propel his imagination into the Hundred Acre Woods and the adventures of the honey loving bear with no brain, Winnie The Pooh. The letter references Daff (A.A. Milne’s wife) and her pregnancy with Christopher Robin and is perhaps the earliest known reference to the protagonist of the most endeared children’s stories of all time. His letter, written to Vincent Seligman, a person to whom Milne would develop a close friendship spanning over 30 years is shown in full below. At the time, Milne’s wife would have been about 5 months pregnant:

“15.iv.20

Dear Mr. Seligman,

I have been away, and unfortunately they never send me letters from … Many thanks for your kind invitation; I am sorry that my wife cannot come – she is not very well just now – but I should very much like to come myself if I may. What about Tuesday? I hope that is all right.

Again many thanks,

Yours …

A.A. Milne”

A phenomenal piece, and one which heralded in an incredible journey for both A.A. Milne and his future son, Christopher Robin Milne.