first edition
1925 · Philadelphia
by Milne, A.A.
Philadelphia: David McKay Co, 1925. Very good.. First trade edition of this short prose collection published to capitalize on the dramatic success of WHEN WE WERE VERY YOUNG, the first Pooh book, the year before. Still acclimating to his newfound fame, Milne made the error of agreeing to write a few short stories for American publisher David McKay in exchange for a simple lump sum, rather than a schedule of royalties. In a letter the same year, Milne said to a friend: "For God's sake don't buy it. I sold the thing outright [...] in a moment of madness – for £200. He has already sold 50,000 copies at 3 1/2 dollars. Take 10% on that and you perceive that (truncated)