GALLERY OF CHILDREN Milne, A.A.; Saida [Le Mair, Henrietta Willebeek] Classics

Signed limited first edition in the rare jacket of this short prose collection published to capitalize on the dramatic success of WHEN WE WERE VERY YOUNG (1924), the first Pooh book. Still acclimating to his newfound fame, Milne made the error of agreeing to write a few short stories for publisher David McKay in exchange for a simple lump sum, rather than a schedule of royalties. In a letter the same year, Milne said to a friend: "For God's sake don't buy it. I sold the thing outright [.] in a moment of madness for £200. He has already sold 50,000 copies at 3 1/2 dollars. Take 10% on that and you perceive that I have thrown away thousands" (quoted in Thwaite). When McKay approached Milne for a second book, Milne gleefully reported his reply to his brother: "I told him to go to San Francisco and chew gum" (quoted in Thwaite). This is the English issue of the American production, with the Stanley Paul imprint. A beautiful book in excellent condition. 13'' x 10.5''. Original white cloth stamped in gold. Top edge gilt. In original blue cloth jacket with folds on three sides, gilt-lettered spine. Printed on hand-made paper and illustrated by Saida (Henrietta Willebeek Le Mair) with 12 large and magnificent color plates. One of 500 copies signed by Milne on limitation page. Cloth jacket with moderate rubbing/wear, short closed tear to joint, and a few tape repairs to verso. Book with some foxing to endpapers and light toning to spine: white cloth bright.