When We Were Very Young – Winnie The Pooh – Now We Are Six – The House At Pooh Corner – The Collectors’ Facsimile Edition – Four Volumes In Slipcase

Author: A. A. Milne
Illustrator: Ernest H. Shepard
Price: £85
Publisher: Methuen, London, UK
Publication Dates: 1999
Editions: First editions thus. Four volumes
Format: Original cloth gilt. Slipcase
Condition: Near fine copies
Sizes: 13.6cm x 20.4cm
Pages: 100, 159, 102, 179

Condition

A lovely first edition facsimile set of these classic works, illustrated throughout by Ernest H Shepard. Cloth very bright and clean. Top edges gilt. Very slight dustiness to the slipcase else a very near fine, bright, clean set.

The Pooh Books: A Short Description

The Pooh Books refer to a beloved series of children’s books created by British author A. A. Milne and featuring the iconic character Winnie-the-Pooh. These stories are set in the Hundred Acre Wood and follow the adventures of Pooh, a lovable bear, and his friends. The books have charmed readers for generations with their whimsical characters, gentle humour, and timeless themes of friendship and kindness.

The key books in the series:

1. Winnie-the-Pooh (1926)

• This was the first book featuring Winnie-the-Pooh and introduces the main characters, including Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Owl, Kanga, Roo, and Christopher Robin (based on Milne’s real-life son).
• Memorable adventures include Pooh’s attempt to steal honey from bees, Eeyore’s birthday party, and Piglet’s encounter with a “Heffalump.”

2. The House at Pooh Corner (1928)

• This is the second and final volume of the original Pooh stories. It introduces a new character, Tigger, who quickly becomes one of the most popular residents of the Hundred Acre Wood.
• The book explores themes of change, including the bittersweet farewell of Christopher Robin as he prepares to leave the magical world of his childhood behind.

3. When We Were Very Young (1924)

• Though not entirely about Pooh, this poetry collection is where Winnie-the-Pooh made his first appearance, albeit in a poem where he’s called “Mr. Edward Bear.” It’s a charming collection of verses capturing childhood wonder.

4. Now We Are Six (1927)

• Another collection of poetry, this book also features some appearances by Pooh and other characters. Like When We Were Very Young, it captures the whimsical and imaginative world of childhood.

Characters:

• Winnie-the-Pooh: A bear of very little brain but a big heart, who loves honey (“hunny”) and enjoys simple pleasures.
• Piglet: Pooh’s timid but brave best friend.
• Eeyore: A gloomy, melancholic donkey.
• Tigger: An exuberant tiger who loves to bounce.
• Owl: A wise (or so he thinks) bird, who often provides incorrect advice.
• Rabbit: A practical and somewhat bossy figure.
• Kanga and Roo: A mother kangaroo and her joey, the only female characters in the core group.
• Christopher Robin: A boy based on A. A. Milne’s son, who is the kind, gentle leader of the group.

Themes and Legacy:

The books emphasise the value of friendship, imagination, and the joys of small moments. The writing is filled with a sense of wonder and innocence that appeals to both children and adults. Milne’s playful language and use of anthropomorphised animals create a world where simple lessons about life, love, and companionship are conveyed in a timeless way.

Illustrated throughout by E. H. Shepard, the drawings of Pooh and his friends helped solidify the visual identity of the characters, adding to their charm and appeal. The Pooh books remain a staple of children’s literature, celebrated for their gentle humour and heartfelt stories, and continue to resonate with readers of all ages.

A.A. Milne: A Short Biography

Early Life and Education
Alan Alexander Milne, commonly known as A.A. Milne, was born on January 18, 1882, in Hampstead, London. He was the youngest of three sons born to John Vine Milne, a schoolmaster, and Sarah Maria Milne. Milne was educated at Westminster School and later at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied mathematics. At Cambridge, he became the editor of Granta, the university’s student magazine, where he began to hone his writing skills.

Early Career
After graduating from Cambridge, Milne moved to London and began his career as a writer. He wrote humorous pieces for Punch magazine, where he eventually became an assistant editor. His early work included essays, poems, and plays, which established him as a successful and popular humourist. Milne also served in World War I, an experience that later influenced some of his writing.

Literary Success and Winnie-the-Pooh
Milne’s most enduring fame comes from his creation of the beloved children’s character Winnie-the-Pooh. The inspiration for the character came from Milne’s son, Christopher Robin Milne, and his collection of stuffed animals. The first book, “Winnie-the-Pooh,” was published in 1926, followed by “The House at Pooh Corner” in 1928. These stories introduced readers to the adventures of Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, and other characters in the Hundred Acre Wood. The books were illustrated by E.H. Shepard, whose drawings have become iconic.

In addition to the Pooh stories, Milne also wrote two poetry collections for children: “When We Were Very Young” (1924) and “Now We Are Six” (1927). These collections further solidified his reputation as a beloved children’s author.

Other Works
Despite his immense success with children’s literature, Milne was a prolific writer in other genres as well. He wrote numerous plays, novels, and essays throughout his career. Some of his notable works include the play “Mr. Pim Passes By” (1920), the novel “The Red House Mystery” (1922), and the non-fiction work “Peace with Honour” (1934), where he expressed his pacifist views.

Later Life and Legacy
Milne continued to write until his health began to decline in the 1950s. He suffered a stroke in 1952 and passed away on January 31, 1956, at the age of 74. Despite his diverse body of work, Milne is most remembered for his contributions to children’s literature, particularly the Winnie-the-Pooh stories, which continue to be cherished by readers of all ages around the world.

Milne’s legacy lives on through the timeless appeal of Winnie-the-Pooh, a character that has transcended generations and become a symbol of childhood innocence and imagination. The books remain in print and have been translated into numerous languages, ensuring that Milne’s work continues to delight and inspire new readers.

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