When We Were Very Young - with - Winnie-the-Pooh -
A. A. Milne, Ernest H. Shepard (illustrator)
1924 - Methuen &, London - Fifth Edition, Second Edition, same year as the first editions.
‘I often wish I were a King, And then I could do anything.
If only I were King of Spain, I’d take my hat off in the rain.
If I were King of Norroway, I’d ask an elephant to stay.
If I were King of Timbuctoo, I’d think of lovely things to do.’
Two bright sharp early editions of the first two books to feature WInnie-the-Pooh. When We Were Very Young, in which Winnie-the-Pooh makes his first appearance in the Teddy Bear, poem – 'A bear, however hard he tries, Grows tubby without exercise' together with Milne’s most famous children’s story WInnie-the-Pooh. Both printed the same year as the first editions.
‘On Wednesday, when the sky is blue, And I have nothing else to do, I sometimes wonder if it's true That who is what and what is who.’
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.
Two thin octavo volumes (book size 19.6x13.3cm), pp. [4] vii-x [2] 100; xi [3] 159 [1]. In publisher’s cloth, spines lettered and ruled in gilt, front panels with Shepard illustrations blocked in gilt within a single gilt fillet border, top edges gilt, When We Were Very Young in blue cloth, with white illustrated endpapers, Winnie-the-Pooh in green cloth with light green illustrated endpapers. Condition: Fine, usual offsetting to front and rear endpapers, in near fine cloth, minor wear to corners and spine ends, small spot to upper cover of When We Were Very Young. Ref: 112380 Price: HK$ 4,000
If only I were King of Spain, I’d take my hat off in the rain.
If I were King of Norroway, I’d ask an elephant to stay.
If I were King of Timbuctoo, I’d think of lovely things to do.’
Two bright sharp early editions of the first two books to feature WInnie-the-Pooh. When We Were Very Young, in which Winnie-the-Pooh makes his first appearance in the Teddy Bear, poem – 'A bear, however hard he tries, Grows tubby without exercise' together with Milne’s most famous children’s story WInnie-the-Pooh. Both printed the same year as the first editions.
‘On Wednesday, when the sky is blue, And I have nothing else to do, I sometimes wonder if it's true That who is what and what is who.’
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.
Two thin octavo volumes (book size 19.6x13.3cm), pp. [4] vii-x [2] 100; xi [3] 159 [1]. In publisher’s cloth, spines lettered and ruled in gilt, front panels with Shepard illustrations blocked in gilt within a single gilt fillet border, top edges gilt, When We Were Very Young in blue cloth, with white illustrated endpapers, Winnie-the-Pooh in green cloth with light green illustrated endpapers. Condition: Fine, usual offsetting to front and rear endpapers, in near fine cloth, minor wear to corners and spine ends, small spot to upper cover of When We Were Very Young. Ref: 112380 Price: HK$ 4,000