MILNE, A. A. (1882-1956). A Gallery of Children, London, [1925]. 4to, 12 coloured plates by H. Willebeek le Mair, original cream pictorial buckram. FIRST EDITION. NUMBER 392 OF 500 COPIES SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR.

MILNE, A. A. (1882-1956) & Henrietta WILLEBEEK LE MAIR (1889-1996, illustrator).  A Gallery of Children. London: Stanley Paul & Co., Ltd., [1925]. 4to (322 x 255mm). Half title, coloured illustration on title and 12 coloured plates by "Saida" (some very faint staining to the title and contents leaves). Original cream pictorial buckram gilt, bevelled edges, top edges gilt, others uncut (light stain to one corner of the upper cover). Provenance: Peggie Morden (bookplate). FIRST EDITION. NUMBER 392 OF 500 COPIES SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR. The book has an interesting origin. The delightful coloured illustrations by "Saida" (i.e. pseudonym of Henrietta Willebeek le Mair) were originally commissioned by the American company Colgate (of toothpaste fame) for an advertising campaign, although there is nothing overtly commercial about them. They proved so popular with the public, however, that A. A. Milne wrote a series of 12 children's fantasy stories based around them, and in so doing produced his first prose work for children, a year before Winnie-the-Pooh.