Connecticut River Book Auction – Live and In-Person
Friday April 8th, 2022
South Congregational Church located at 949 Main Street in South Glastonbury, CT 06073
www.ctriverbookauction.com
860-908-8067
Inspection begins at noon with the auction starting at 6 pm.

SOUTH GLASTONBURY, CONN. — Four of the most beloved children’s tales of all time will cross the Connecticut River Book Auction block on Friday, April 8, at the South Congregational. To be sold as one lot are four first edition copies of A.A. Milne’s Winne-the-Pooh stories. Based on the teddy bear belonging to his son, Christopher Robin, Milne and illustrator E.H. Shepard created a fantasy world of entertaining and heartwarming tales beginning with When We Were Young. First published in 1924, this copy is the second state without its dustjacket. However, it is signed by Milne on the title page. The success of this volume was followed in 1926 by Winnie-the-Pooh in 1927, Now We Are Six and in 1928 by The House at Pooh Corner. First published in London by Methuen & Co, all three volumes are in their dustjackets.

Christopher’s teddy, Winnie, had a real-life model for which it was named. The real “Winnie” was a Canadian black bear named by veterinarian and Canadian soldier Harry Colebourn, who bought the cub for $20 from a hunter that had killed its mother. Colebourn, upon embarking to England to serve in World War I, brought the bear along as the unofficial mascot of the Fort Garry Horse to which he was assigned. From there, “Winnie” went to the London Zoo where it lived out its remaining life, much to the delight of London’s children.

Like other children, namely Alice Liddell, who Lewis Carroll used as a model for Alice in Wonderland, Christopher Robin came to despise his connection to these stories. He wrote later in life that, “It seemed to me almost that my father had got where he was by climbing on my infant shoulders, that he had filched from me my good name and left me nothing but empty fame.”

In a similar vein that writing or publishing kindly about someone does not automatically assure one of gratitude is found in another offering the evening of April 8. Titled The Uncollected Fictional Works of Larry McMurtry, it was published without his knowledge or approval. Upon learning of its existence, McMurtry reacted angrily and demanded that the small press recover and destroy the 35 copies that were in print. While most copies were destroyed, some, like this one, were not. Incidentally, the lawsuit McMurtry brought against the printer was unsuccessful as these stories first appeared without copyright in a student publication, leading McMurtry to offer a letter of apology at a later date.

South Congregational Church is at 949 Main Street. For information, call 860-908-8067 or www.ctriverbookauction.com.

With Crocuses blooming and peas in the ground, the next Connecticut River Book Auction on Friday, April 8th promises to be an evening of good companionship and vigorous bidding for lovers of children’s literature, fine / small press, firearm literature and more.
One of several highlights of Friday’s evening’s auction is a grouping of A. A. Milne’s four Winne-the-Pooh stories. The first volume (1924) “When We Were Very Young” is a 1st edition, 2nd state that is signed by Milne on the title page. The second volume issued in 1926 “Winnie the Pooh,” is a 1st edition in dustjacket. “Now We Are Six” (1927) is also a 1st edition in dustjacket as is (1928)” The House at Pooh Corner.” All four titles were published by Methuen & Co. of London.
If Milne is not your cup of honey, how about a copy (1895) of “Uncle Remus His Songs and Sayings” bound in vellum and limited to 250 copies and signed by Harris or Seuss’ (1957) “The Cat in the Hat,” a first edition, 3rd issue in its jacket.
For fans of Thomas Hardy, this auction offers a first edition of “The Woodlanders.” Published in 1887 in three volumes, it is housed in a custom case and includes a letter from Hardy dated 1884 hoping to connect with a friend. Like mysteries? We have a first London ex library edition of Doyle’s (1902) “The Hound of Baskervilles” and a very scarce copy of his and Barrie’s collaboration (1893) on “Jane Annie or the Good Conduct Prize.”
We mentioned firearm literature and just one of several lots is Vanderlinden’s (2001) “The Belgian Browning Pistols 1889 – 1949.” It is a limited edition in jacket and signed by the author.
In the category of fine / small press books is a very scarce copy of McMurty’s (1979) “The Uncollected Fictional Works of Larry McMurtry.” Only 35 privately printed copies were produced and issued without McMurty’s knowledge or approval. The publication of this collection led him to sue the printer and demand that all copies be recovered and destroyed. Most copies were located but obviously not this one. Incidentally, Larry lost his lawsuit against the printer.
For more information on this Friday, April 8th book auction to be held at the South Congregational Church, 949 Main Street, South Glastonbury, CT. visit ctriverbookauction.com or call Tom at 1-860-908-8067.
MASKS ARE REQUIRED.