A Methuen first edition of The House at Pooh Corner, published in 1928 with E.H. Shepard's drawings, is bound in pink cloth with a gilt vignette of Christopher Robin, Pooh and Piglet on the front cover, the spine lettered in gilt, the top edge gilt, and pictorial endpapers.
What to check:
- Binding: pink cloth, gilt vignette of Christopher Robin, Pooh and Piglet, top edge gilt.
- Endpapers: Shepard's pictorial design.
- Collation: eleven preliminary pages and 178 pages of text.
The pink cloth fades easily, especially on the spine, and a bright spine makes a real difference to value. The jacket is scarcer still. Dealers describe it differently, as fawn or as pale pink, so we have not used its colour as a test.
Methuen also published a large paper edition of 350 numbered copies signed by Milne and Shepard, which is listed separately, and a small issue on vellum.
As with Winnie-the-Pooh, later Methuen impressions look much the same, so check the copyright page for impression statements before paying a first edition price. The American Dutton edition is a different book.
Sources: Quaritch and Bauman Rare Books.