The Christopher Robin Story Book -
A. A. Milne, Ernest H. Shepard (illustrator)
1929 - Methuen & Co. Ltd., London - First Edition
A finely bound first edition of this wonderful collection of poems and stories compiled from the four Winnie-the-Pooh books, together with Milne’s masterful introductory essay.
Illustrated throughout with Ernest Shephard’s delightful drawings.
Winnie was the name of the Canadian Black Bear at London Zoo, befriended by Christopher Robin, and originally the Mascot of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade. The Pooh is believed to have come from the name of a royal swan in the park and the two combined by Christopher Robin himself. Born in Scotland and Cambridge educated, Alan Alexander Milne worked as assistant editor of Punch magazine until the First World War, were he served in France despite being a noted pacifist. Although his son Christopher Robin and wife Daphne were inspirations for Winnie the Pooh, Milne preferred to read them his favourite author Wodehouse. Wodehouse’s favourite author was A.A. Milne.
Shepard’s illustrations were influenced by Growler, his son’s teddy bear. Milne, although reluctant, was advised to use the young Shepard for the illustrations by other members of Punch. Shepard, after sketching in Ashdown Forest, presented himself uninvited at Milne’s house with his illustrations and won him over.
References: Children’s Modern Firsts [p206], Shorter Cambridge English Lit. [1387-1389]. Listed in Modern Library’s Top 100 Novels [1998]. Book Collector No.271, ‘The Great Illustrators’.
Thick octavo (binding size 19.5x13.5cm), pp. [2] x [2] 171 [1] [8 (publisher’s advertisements)] Elegantly bound in full blue morocco, spine with raised bands lettered in gilt, matching blue hand-marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, others trimmed, original gilt illustrated and lettered front cover and spine bound in to the rear. Condition: Fine but for several small marks, in fine binding. Ref: 112667 Price: HK$ 4,500
Illustrated throughout with Ernest Shephard’s delightful drawings.
Winnie was the name of the Canadian Black Bear at London Zoo, befriended by Christopher Robin, and originally the Mascot of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade. The Pooh is believed to have come from the name of a royal swan in the park and the two combined by Christopher Robin himself. Born in Scotland and Cambridge educated, Alan Alexander Milne worked as assistant editor of Punch magazine until the First World War, were he served in France despite being a noted pacifist. Although his son Christopher Robin and wife Daphne were inspirations for Winnie the Pooh, Milne preferred to read them his favourite author Wodehouse. Wodehouse’s favourite author was A.A. Milne.
Shepard’s illustrations were influenced by Growler, his son’s teddy bear. Milne, although reluctant, was advised to use the young Shepard for the illustrations by other members of Punch. Shepard, after sketching in Ashdown Forest, presented himself uninvited at Milne’s house with his illustrations and won him over.
References: Children’s Modern Firsts [p206], Shorter Cambridge English Lit. [1387-1389]. Listed in Modern Library’s Top 100 Novels [1998]. Book Collector No.271, ‘The Great Illustrators’.
Thick octavo (binding size 19.5x13.5cm), pp. [2] x [2] 171 [1] [8 (publisher’s advertisements)] Elegantly bound in full blue morocco, spine with raised bands lettered in gilt, matching blue hand-marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, others trimmed, original gilt illustrated and lettered front cover and spine bound in to the rear. Condition: Fine but for several small marks, in fine binding. Ref: 112667 Price: HK$ 4,500