Collectors from all around the world have been captivated by a forgotten cache of Winnie-the-Pooh manuscripts that were discovered in an attic and sold for almost $118,000 at auction.#St. Paul, Minnesota, #News, #Lifestyle
Paul, Minnesota A dusty attic find has become a huge auction triumph, garnering international attention and capturing the interest of literary collectors. When Simon Smith discovered a bag full of misplaced documents, what had begun as a straightforward cleanup became an incredible discovery. Priceless manuscripts, illustrations, and correspondence belonging to well-known children’s author A.A. Milne—the man behind Winnie-the-Pooh—were found within.
Original drawings, drafts, and private letters were among the rare documents that attracted bidders from the United States and the United Kingdom and sold for over $118,000 at auction.
The Hidden Archive Revealed
The documents were discovered among the possessions of Leslie Smith, Simon Smith’s late father who lived in Malvern, Worcestershire, and had a publishing career. Unaware that he was about to discover a literary treasure trove, Simon went through Leslie’s belongings after his death in November 2023.
Inside the plastic bag were corrected proofs for Now We Are Six and The House at Pooh Corner, original pictures from The Christopher Robin Birthday Book, and handwritten drafts of Milne’s works.
An early manuscript of the poem Wind on the Hill, a lovable fragment of Milne’s legacy, was one of the most notable discoveries.
Personal correspondence between Milne, illustrator E.H. Shepherd, and publisher Frederick Muller gave the finding more depth, but it wasn’t just the stories that generated enthusiasm. Behind-the-scenes annoyances and observations were disclosed in letters, such as Milne’s criticisms of the drawings and his defense of Pooh against a newspaper article that characterized the figure as a fantastical monster.
In December 1925, the London Evening News published the first Winnie-the-Pooh story.
Connections to Other Literary Giants
As if the Winnie-the-Pooh records weren’t enough, Simon also discovered postcards addressed to his father by J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of The Lord of the Rings, and letters from English children’s author Enid Blyton.
The collection provided insight into the interactions and discussions that influenced writing in the 20th century.
How Did the Papers End Up in the Attic?
Because of his publishing career, Leslie Smith gained access to these literary gems. He had access to a multitude of records associated with literary luminaries when his company, Cressrelles, acquired the publishing house that Muller’s family had previously owned.
Simon concluded that the collection needed a wider audience because the find included so much history. He arranged their auction with Fieldings Auctioneers rather than keeping the documents in the family. Clive Farahar, an expert from the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, assisted in the meticulous appraisal of the antiques, which were separated into 34 lots.
A.A. Milne s Legacy Lives On
Nearly a century later, Milne’s writing, which was produced during a time of post-World War I sadness, still makes readers happy. His tales of Pooh and his companions started out as fanciful excursions with his son Christopher Robin, who was traveling across the English countryside with a genuine bear from the London Zoo named Winnie.
The books became a worldwide sensation, inspiring TV series, movies, and a ton of paraphernalia. Winnie-the-Pooh is now a representation of classic storytelling, demonstrating that the wonder of childhood can transcend boundaries and generations.
In addition to honoring Milne’s timeless appeal, the auction revitalized long-forgotten literary relics and provided fans and collectors with a unique window into the making of one of literature’s most cherished universes.
Associated Subjects: History, Lifestyle, and the United Kingdom
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