WHEN WE WERE VERY YOUNG

London: Methuen & Co., Ltd, 1924. FIRST EDITION. No. 67 OF 100 COPIES SIGNED by the author and illustrator. 225 x 177 mm. (8 7/8 x 7").
CHARMING ROYAL BLUE CRUSHED MOROCCO BY BAYNTUN-RIVIERE, covers with five gilt figures of children (one at center, one in each corner) based on illustrations in the book, upper cover with gilt lettering, raised bands, spine compartments with the figure of Winnie-the-Pooh, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, other edges untrimmed. In an excellent (presumably original) cloth-covered fleece-lined slipcase (slightly faded) Illustrated throughout by E. H. Shepard. A Large Paper Copy. Binder's instructions for opening the book properly laid in at front. ◆AN OUTSTANDING COPY, very clean and bright internally, in an unworn binding.

This is a copy of the deluxe first edition of Milne's first work to feature Pooh and Christopher Robin, the latter based on Milne's son, who bore the same name and to whom the book is dedicated. The volume contains 44 poems for and about children, including the famous "Vespers," written about the real-life Christopher Robin when he was three years old. Illustrator E. H. Shepard's adorable, mischievous tots and their animal friends provide a sweet and whimsical accompaniment to the text. Alan Alexander Milne (1882-1956) began his writing career at "Punch," where he became well known for his wit. He was the successful author of plays and mystery novels before he began writing verses to amuse his young son during a rainy vacation in Wales in 1923. "When We Were Very Young" was published the following year, enlivened with drawings by "Punch" illustrator Shepard. According to DNB, "It was a huge success and was acclaimed in The Times as 'the greatest children's book since Alice [in Wonderland].'" Over the next four years, it was followed by "Winnie-The-Pooh," "Now We Are Six," and "The House at Pooh Corner," establishing Milne as one of the most beloved children's authors of the 20th century. Our volume was bound by a venerable English workshop. Founded in Bath in 1894, the Bayntun bindery has provided beautiful bindings for bibliophiles for more than a century. In 1937, Bayntun acquired the Riviere bindery, which had been in business since 1829, and began signing its bindings "Bayntun-Riviere," as here. It is now the last of the great Victorian trade binderies still in family ownership..