London: Methuen & Co., Ltd., 1924, 1926, 1927, 1928. First editions. A complete set of the first, UK trade editions for all four "Pooh" books. Original cloth (blue, green, red, and pink respectively), titles to spines gilt, rules and illustrations to boards gilt, top edges gilt. With the dust jackets. Housed in a custom blue cloth flat back box. Illustrated throughout by E. H. Shepard. WWWVY is the corrected state as usual, with p. ix signed in the prelims.

A superb set in the exceptionally sharp and fresh jackets, the spine panels of Winnie-the-Pooh and When We Were Very Young, particularly vulnerable to fading or toning, are notably bright, and scarcely seen in such lovely condition.

A complete signed set of the Pooh books, each work signed by both the author and the illustrator on the title page, and rarely encountered in exceptional, untouched condition. Complete sets of the trade editions signed by both Milne and Shepard are notably scarce in commerce - we have traced just one other complete signed set at auction, and not in such lovely condition.

All the Pooh books were published in the UK in signed limited editions, signed by both author and illustrator, aimed at book collectors, and issued alongside the first trade editions; Milne and Shepard evidently also signed some copies together of the trade editions at the time of publication. From Winnie-the-Pooh onward, the books were published in three formats: a regular trade issue, a signed limited edition on large paper, and an extra limited edition on vellum. However, the first book in the series, When We Were Very Young (1924), was published in the trade issue and signed large paper issue only and not the extra limited format on vellum, as the magnitude of its success had not been anticipated.

A.A. Milne would write the Pooh stories after being inspired by his son, Christopher Robin, and his stuffed animals, one of which was a bear named “Winnie.” Milne had written prolifically in other modes and genres, but the Pooh books would go on to outshine all his other works. Indeed, “Winnie The Pooh” has been listed on the New York Public Library’s 100 greatest children’s books of the century and the Ashdown Forest, where the stories take place, has become a tourist attraction as a result. "I think Pooh's secret is the kindness and generosity of spirit of the characters toward each other." (Jeanne Lamb, NY Public Library). Fine in Fine dust jacket. (Item #3184)