The House at Pooh Corner. by MILNE, A. A - 1978

London: Methuen Children's Books,, 1978. With decorations by E. H. Shepard. Octavo. Original pink morocco by Zaehnsdorf, titles and decoration to spine gilt, frames to covers gilt, vignette to front cover gilt, edges gilt, pink pictorial endpapers. With the slipcase, as issued. Illustrated throughout by E. H. Shepard. A fine copy. Fiftieth anniversary edition, number 13 of 300 copies signed by Christopher Robin Milne. From the library, though unmarked as such, of publisher Charles Shirley, chairman of Methuen Children's Books from 1976 to 1979. Milne began planning his final Pooh book in 1927. Three years of intense publicity were taking their toll on the family, and Milne longed to return full-time to adult literature, telling his brother that "after one more Pooh book I must think of something else. In fact, it's time I tried a novel" (Thwaite p. 328). Christopher Robin was growing up, soon to leave for boarding school, and The House at Pooh Corner would be a farewell. But first there was an introduction to be made. 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. 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 p. 336); but the stories have never ended for the millions of children who continue to wander the Hundred Acre Wood, where "a little boy and his bear will always be playing".