Now a multi-million dollar industry, the dim-witted but lovable character of Winnie the Pooh has been with us since AA Milne created his first collection of short stories in 1926. The author based the characters of Pooh and his friends on his son's real-life stuffed toy collection, giving each of the animals their own idiosyncrasies. It is these human traits which make the books so universally popular: enthusiastic Tigger; downhearted Eeyore and resolute Pooh. There is something in each of the characters that (admit it or not) we can all relate to.
In the field of children's literature from the early 1900s, perhaps only The Tales of Beatrix Potter or The Wind in the Willows can claim to have the same iconic status and longevity. Milne's stories are pure and simple good fun, the plots are light-hearted and there is always a happy ending when Pooh gets his "hunny". Modern audiences might not accept such cliches so easily, but in Milne's case we seem to look back more nostalgically, remembering when we read the stories for the first time.
For collectors, Winnie the Pooh publications are popular auction items with four main titles available: When We Were Very Young (1924); Winnie The Pooh (1926); Now We Are Six (1927) and The House at Pooh Corner (1928). Collections of all four can exceed $45,000 for signed and inscribed first editions.
As well as a score of plays, Milne also wrote poetry, non-fiction books and crime novels. But such is the impact of Winnie the Pooh, Milne's other works have faded into relative obscurity; rarely exceeding a few hundred dollars at auction. But the legacy of his best loved character continues. The Pooh books represent a by-gone age of children's literature and so hold a place in the affection of collectors.
Milne, A.A. Once on a Time. Hodder and Stoughton, London (1917).
Milne, A.A. Not that it matters. Mathuen , London (1919).
Milne, A.A. Once On A Time.. Putnam's, New York (1922).
Milne, A.A. The Red House. Dutton, New York (1922). First American Edition
Milne, A.A. The Red House Mystery. Methuen , London (1922).
Milne, A.A. Fourteen Songs From When We Were Very Young. Methuen ,, London (1924). Set to music by H. Fraser-Simson with decorations by E.H. Shepard
Milne, A.A. When We Were Very Young. Dutton, New York (1924).
Milne, A.A. When We Were Very Young. Methuen , London (1924). Set to music by H. Fraser-Simson with decorations by E.H .Shepard ; 4 volumes; 'When We Were Very Young'; 'Winnie-The-Pooh',; 'Now We Are Six', and 'The House At Pooh Corner',
Milne, A.A. A Gallery of Children. David McKay Co, Philadelphia (1925). First American edition; Illustrations by H. Willebeek Le Mair
Milne, A.A. A Gallery of Children. Stanley Paul ,; London (1925). collection of 12 short childrens stories; illustrated by H. Willebeek le Mair; 500 copies (485 for sale);
Milne, A.A. Once On a Time. Hodder and Stoughton, London (1925). illustrations throughout by Charles Robinson, including title page and colour frontispiece
Milne, A.A. The King's Breakfast. Methuen, London (1925).
Milne, A.A. When We Were Very Young. Methuen , London (1925). E.H. Shepard (illustrator); 250 copies.
Milne, A.A. Winnie The Pooh. McLelland and Stewart, Toronto (1925).
Milne, A.A. Now We are Six. Methuen, London (1926).
Milne, A.A. Teddy Bear and Other Songs. E P Dutton , New York (1926).
Milne, A.A. Teddy Bear And Other Songs From When We Were Very Young. Methuen , London (1926). Contains line drawings by E.H. Shepard and music by H.Fraser-Simson;
Milne, A.A. Winnie the Pooh. Dutton, New York (1926). Lettered Edition; 26 lettered copies; 200 numbered copies; First American Edition; Illustrations by E.H. Shepard
Milne, A.A. Winnie the Pooh. Methuen , London (1926). 350 copies; With decorations by Ernest H. Shepard; dust wrapper117th thousand forWhen We Were Very Young; First Edition withFirst Published in 1926 on the copyright page
Milne, A.A. Now We Are Six. Dutton, New York (1927). Decorations by Ernest H; $1.00 price; First Edition withNow We Are Six, Copyright, 1927 by E.P.Dutton::All Rights Reserved:: Printed in the U.S.A..
Milne, A.A. Now We Are Six. Metheun ,, London (1927).
Milne, A.A. Songs from Now We are Six. Methuen , London (1927). 100 copies; Decorations by E.H. Shepard; Music by H. Fraser-Simpson
Milne, A.A. Songs from Now We Are Six. Methuen, London (1927). 100 numbered and signed copies ; Music by H. Fraser-Simson; Decoration by E.H. Shepard;
Milne, A.A. When We Were Very Young. Methuen , London (1927). 100 copies.
Milne, A.A. Winnie-the Pooh. Methuen , London (1927). Illus by Ernest H. Shepard.
Milne, A.A. House at Pooh Corner. Methuen, London (1928). Four volumes; Illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard; 350 signed limited edition copies
Milne, A.A. More Very Young Songs. Methuen, London (1928). 100 copies; Music by H. Fraser-Simson. Decoration by E.H. Shepard
Milne, A.A. The House at Pooh Corner. Dutton, New York (1928). Illustrated with drawings and decorations by E.H Shepard; 250 copies
Milne, A.A. The House At Pooh Corner. Methuen , London (1928). Illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard; 4 volumes; 350 copies; Price of 7/6 on the spine; 'First Published in 1928' to the copyright page and no mention of reprints; First UK Edition
Milne, A.A. Winnie the Pooh. Methuen, London (1928). Illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard; 4 volumes;
Milne, A.A. By Way of Introduction. Dutton , New York (1929). 166 numbered copies; First American edition
Milne, A.A. By Way Of Introduction. Methuen , London (1929).
Milne, A.A. The Christopher Robin Calendar 1929. Methuen, London (1929).
Milne, A.A. The Christopher Robin Story Book. Methuen , London (1929).
Milne, A.A. The House at Pooh Corner.. Methuen, London. (1929).
Milne, A.A. The Hums of Pooh. Methuen, London (1929). E.H. Shepard (illustrator); Music by Fraser-Simson
Milne, A.A. The Secret. Fountain Press, New York (1929). Music by Fraser-Simson (illustrator); E.H. Shepard (illustrator); 742 copies;
Milne, A.A. Those Were the Days. Methuen , London (1929).
Milne, A.A. Toad of Toad Hall. Methuen, London (1929). Copyright page statesfirst published in 1929.; E.H. Shepard (illustrator).
Milne, A.A. Michael and Mary. Chatto and Windus, London (1930). 260 copies printed 250 for sale;
Milne, A.A. The Christopher Robin Birthday Book. Methuen, London (1930). copyright date of 1930 stated on the copyright page; decorated by E.H. Shepard
Milne, A.A. When I Was Very Young. Fountain Press, New York (1930). Illustrations by Ernest H. Shepard; 842 numbered copies;
Milne, A.A. The Christopher Robin Verses - being 'When We Were Very Young' and 'Now We Are Six' with a Preface for Parents.. Methuen, London. (1932). Twelve colour plates and black and white decorations on almost every page by Ernest H. Shepard.
Milne, A.A. The Christopher Robin Verses being When We Were Very Young and Now We Are Six. Dutton, New York (1932). With 12 color plates and black and white in-text decorations and drawings by Ernest Shepard
Milne, A.A. Now We Are Six. Methuen , London (1942).
Milne, A.A. Winnie-the-Pooh. Methuen Children's Books, London (1973). E.H.Shepard (illustrator); First colour limited edition; 300 copies.
Milne, A.A. When We Were Very Young. Methuen, London (1974). E. H. Shepard (illustrator); 300 numbered copies