First edition Pooh and Potter come to auction in Honiton

A variety of first edition and early edition children’s books will go under the hammer at Chilcott’s next auction on May 20.

The books, written by A.A. Milne and illustrated by E.H. Shepard, were discovered whilst the Chilcotts team were undertaking a routine house clearance in Axminster. They include a First Edition 1926 House at Pooh Corner in good condition, although without its original dust jacket.

Other ‘Pooh’ items include some early editions, and there are several early copies of When We Were Very Young, A.A. Milne’s bestselling book of poetry which was first published in 1924.

The treasure trove included a number of books by another popular children’s author, Beatrix Potter. A first edition of The Tale of Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, the kind washerwoman hedgehog, with a publication date of 1905; The Tale of Benjamin Bunny from 1904; and a First Edition/Second Impression of The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies where Benjamin’s offspring are captured by Mr McGregor. There are 14 more early editions of these popular animal-based stories.

Liz Chilcott says “The Beatrix Potter books have obviously been well loved and read many times over, most have them have been patched up over the years. But it’s lovely to see the originals of these books, which my own children enjoyed when they were young!”

With other children’s books including an early Peter Pan and Wendy, 1960s editions of Tin-Tin, and Babar the Elephant, there’s a total of more than 60 going to auction.

Viewing for the Collectors Items sale takes place at the Dolphin Saleroom in Honiton from May 17 and the auction starts at 10am on May 20.