London: Methuen & Co, 1928. First edition. Signed extra limited edition, number 15 of 20 large paper copies, printed on Japanese vellum and bound in vellum, signed by both the author and illustrator. Quarto. Original full stiff vellum with yapp edges, front cover lettered in gilt. Housed in a custom black morocco folding box. Illustrated throughout by E. H. Shepard. Minor foxing to inside edge of vellum, covers very slightly bowed; a near-fine copy with unopened gatherings. This is the most luxurious and exclusive issue of the various formats issued of the first editions of A. A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh books, and features the first appearance of Tigger.

Published on 11 October 1928, The House at Pooh Corner was received by critics with a delight tinged by sadness. “The Times Literary Supplement congratulated Milne on avoiding ‘the temptation to repeat his successful formula mechanically,’ though it was ‘sad to see the stories end’” (Thwaite). The book was published in the UK in three issues: the present extra limited issue of 20 copies bound in vellum, a limited issue of 350 copies on large paper, and a regular trade issue.

The book also makes an important contrib ution to the Pooh canon. Prior to publication, Milne had bought his son a stuffed tiger, “Tigger,” and told Shepard that he was longing to see the illustrations for this new character, who would become one of the author’s most popular creations. In the opinion of Milne’s biographer, Ann Thwaite, “The House at Pooh Corner is probably now the most loved and popular of all. It introduces Tigger and the game of Poohsticks” (Thwaite). (Item #5186)