Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne with Decorations by Ernest Shepard [Winnie the Pooh]

36 Essex Street, London : Methuen & Co., Limited , 1927. Stated First Published October 14, 1926... Fifth Edition 1927. Printed in Great Britain. The rare deluxe morocco (leather) edition crafted by the Bayntun-Rivière Bindery in the textured navy leather with charming impressed titles, six richly detailed bronzish-gilt vignettes of the characters at play, gilt borders, light shelf wear. Spine with five raised bands decorated with gilt ornamentation, six fields of which two with titles and others with same floral vignette; some toning. Corner edges of boards with diagonal gilt notching and morocco wrapping to interior pastedown appox. half inch decorated in gilt dentelle. Impressed with fine [1/16"] gilt lettering to navy morocco border of front pastedown: "Bound By Bayntun (Rivière), Bath, England." This particularly ornate tooling of vignettes and dentelle is rarely seen on any of this same title. Bright gilded text block at all sides. Vertically patterned endpages feature striated patterns in purplish-browns, sienna and green. Pages near fine, clean. Owner's name at front endpaper appearing to be in fountain: "Abelson, 921-6130." Also, antiquarian inscription at front blank endpaper: "To a very nice little girl on her birthday, with love, Dad & Geo., Oct. 25 1946, Edinburgh." Bind fine, square; hinges intact. Charmingly illustrated and decorated throughout with the warmly simple imagery of Ernest Shepard. Sharp near fine rarity. Droll, finely crafted adventure from one of England's most popular writers sparkles with witty dialogue, deft plotting, and an amusing cast of characters. A rare gem that will charm fantasy lovers, Anglophiles, and general readers alike. Printed by Jerrold & Sons, Limited, Norwich. 159 pages. Insured post.. Fifth Edition. Full-Leather. Very Good. Illus. by Shepard, Ernest . 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. Book.