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Militaria and Political Auction
Lot 1357:
A.A. Milne
ALSs 5" x 8", 4.75" x 6" 2p., 1p. Nov. 27, 1942, July 2, 1920
Sussex, Chelsea File Literary
Author of children’s verses and classics, Milne wrote "Winnie-the-Pooh" and "When We Were Very Young" A.A. Milne, 2 letters separated by 20 years: Christopher Robin, catalyst for the
"’Winnie the Pooh" stories is born and later fights for England in World War II
Description:
Single page ALS written on verso and recto, signed in Milne’s nickname "Blue" dated "Nov 27/42" , 5" x 8" on letterhead note paper with Milne’s handwritten initials of "C. R. / H.S., " which was the acronym for Cotchford Farm, Hartfield, Sussex. Expected folds, slight curling/folding to very top edge not affecting text. Near fine condition. Single page ALS written on verso with recto blank, signed in full signature "A.A. Milne" and dated "2. vi. 20," (July 2, 1920), 4.75" × 6" on stationary with the letterhead of "11 MALLORD STREET, CHELSEA S. W.3. Tel Kensington 2074." Center fold. Fine condition. A stunning set of contrasting letters, taking the reader from before the days of Winnie The Pooh and the anticipation of the birth of Christopher Robin, to a fast forward look 20 years later with Christopher Robin all grown up and going to war in Iraq during WWII. The letters were written by Milne to his close friend, Vincent Seligman. In Milne’s first letter, dated July 2, 1920, Milne writes shortly before the birth of his son, referencing his wife’s pregnancy, "I’m afraid that my wife won’t be able to go out now until after September" (Christopher Robin was born August 21, 1920), and wishing that "Mrs. Seligman will come see her later on …"
The second letter was also written to Vincent Seligman, but over twenty years later, and was now composed from Milne’s home at Cotchford Farm (Cotchford Farm was the creative birthplace of Milne’s wonderful stories about his then young son, Christopher Robin, Winnie The Pooh – the honey loving bear, and their adventures in the Hundred Acre Woods). While reading Milne’s letter, one reflects on how the peaceful tranquility of those stories is suddenly shattered as one is transported from the youthful innocence and serenity of his son, Christopher Robin, who used to play and explore the woods with his stuffed animals, to the present day moment of the letter, dated November 27, 1942, throwing the reader into the trenches of WWII, and discovering that Christopher Robin is now stationed in Iraq fighting in the war. In the letter, Milne notes that "Moon, " his nickname for Christopher Robin, had been stationed at a training battalion for the Royal Engineers, and then quotes his son in his last received airgraph from Christopher Robin, "Scorpions or no scorpions this is a very pleasant place. We might be much worse off." In one quick moment, the reader realizes Christopher Robin is now all grown up, as has the rest of the world, and there was no going back.
Milne, who was Captain of the British Home Guard in WWII, makes several references to the war, including a comment, "Do you realize we are winning", and including a rhyming post script, about DADOS, an acronym for the Deputy Director of Ordnance Services, which is a major’s appointment on the staff, and Bristol, the town in England which achieved the less than desirable status of being the fifth most heavily bombed British city during WWII.
Milne, who was Captain of the British Home Guard in WWII, otherwise makes several additional references to the war with his letter, shown in full below:
"C.F. / H.S (Cotchford Farm, Hartfield, Sussex)
Dear Vi / Nov 27, 1942
Glad to get your letter. I shall now answer your questions …
1. Moon. A fortnight after he’d got his commission he came back in (illegible) leave, and sailed on August 26th. He shouldn’t have gone really but wrangled himself into the place of an officer on leave. The latter then being sent to a training battalion. He arrives at Irak on Nov 3rd, and I suppose will be there for a bit: anyway we haven’t heard since. His address if you would like to send him the latest – or a box of dates is 563 field Park, Cor RE Pai force.
(Persia and Iraq force)
We have had two long letters (written on the boat) three airgraphs and three cables since he sailed, so we haven’t done so badly. I think he must have spent a week or two on shore, somewhere in Africa on the way. He is enjoying himself tremendously, and in his last airgraph from Irak says "Scorpions or no scorpions this is a very pleasant place. We might be much worse off". If you did happen to read a little letter in the Times in mid September, signed
‘A Father" and quoting from a boy’s farewell letter just before he sailed, that was me – and him.
My dear Major, the world is my oyster and I am a Palladium of all the civil, political and religious …. Of course that was my article; and if you didn’t think it was funny, you should see a doctor about having those red tabs cut out Your intelligence officer, dear DADO is at fault again. The author in question gives me The Perfect Alibi, which is what The Fourth Wall was called in America, not Ten (illegible) Alibi. Hence the pyramids. The novel after lying fallow for a bit is now in cultivation again, and prospects are farmable. But I am in no hurry to finish it, and have it published in this form of a 1/6 French exercise book of the 1930′ Congratulations on your speedy advance, which may be compared not (illegible), with then of Alexander; Timoshenko, and (illegible). You say, however, nothing of your peers. Aren’t you both excited? Do you realize that we are winning?
It’s too dark to write any more, and there is no light in this room. Our love to you both and several kisses of devotion from me for Bobs
Ever Blue
PS. A Force, however badly paid owes
it striking power to its DADOS;
from toilet paper down to pistol
It owes it all to DADOS Bristol!
An incredible set of letters from the author of arguably one of the most beloved children’s stories of the 20th century, referencing his son, Christopher Robin, the pivotal catalyst for birth of the stories of Winnie The Pooh
Milne’s letter was written to Vincent Seligman, who was a German Jew whose family emigrated to London and the United States in the 19th century.
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