The House at Pooh Corner, A. A. Milne, 1928 Deluxe TRUE Stated First Edition Winnie

  
This is a beautifully preserved 1926 first edition deluxe leather issue of A. Milne's children's classic, Winnie-the-Pooh. The gilt-stamped front cover showcases the iconic illustrations of Ernest H. Shepard, featuring Christopher Robin alongside eeyore. The Coat of Arms on The lower half of the cover features a prominent institutional shield crest. It bears the Latin motto "Nisi Dominus Frustra" translated from Psalm 127 as.

"Without the Lord, [all is] in vain", a motto widely used by various historical schools and cities. This particular imprint signifies that this copy was custom-bound and presented. The inside map illustration reveals that this is a deluxe copy of The House at Pooh Corner (1928), the sequel that famously introduced Tigger to the Hundred Acre Wood.

The handwritten inscription adds a fascinating layer of History and provenance. Hatfield Hall School, Cobourg, Ont. Hatfield Hall School for Girls was a private residential girls' academy operating in Cobourg, Ontario from 1929 until it closed its doors in 1951.

Tyrrell was a prominent, upscale historic bookstore operating on Yonge Street during the early to mid-20th century. A True First Printing: The left-hand page must state strictly "First Published in 1928" with no other printing history or reprint years listed underneath. This confirms that the internal text block belongs to the true first printing issued by Methuen & Co. In London in October 1928. The Printer's Mark: The small engraved vignette at the bottom is the historic emblem for Jarold & Sons Ltd. (Norwich), the British printing house contracted by Methuen to produce the initial run of the Pooh series.

The bottom of the spine features the original "METHUEN" publisher stamp. This indicates that this copy is not an aftermarket rebinding.

Instead, it is the original publisher's trade deluxe leather issue originally issued in colored sheepskin leather that naturally deepens to dark brown over time. Rather than changing the cover completely, Hatfield Hall School had their customized shield crest stamped directly over the publisher's standard deluxe binding to turn it into an academic prize. Because the school closed around 1951, this volume was likely presented to Beverly Barnes just after the closure or as part of late historical alumni/school traditions in the summer of 1953. There is slight rubbing, bumping, and minor cracking at the head and foot of the spine block. However, for a 1928 sheepskin leather binding, it has held up exceptionally well structurally.

The book retains its original pictorial deluxe Methuen spine rather than an aftermarket alternative. The beautifully preserved spine gilt serves as one of its loveliest features. The book does have damp and staining found inside the front cover as well as the first several pages. There are no markings within the book and most pages have retained their whiteness. A wonderful inscription that leads us through time to the Provenance of this book.

It is a glorious addition to any rare book collector. It has been wrapped and kept in museum acid free achrival paper for preservation.