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Now we are six

Book
1927 (published)
Artist/Maker
Methuen (published by)
Milne, Alan Alexander (author)
Shepard, Ernest Howard (illustrator)
Place of origin
London (published)

Book of children's verse with dust jacket and line block illustrations. x, [2], 103, [1] pages.

Object details

Categories
National Art Library
Children & Childhood
Illustration
Books
Object type
Book
TitleNow we are six (published title)
Materials and techniques
Case bound printed book with line block illustrations.
Printing Ink
Paper (Fiber Product)
Printing
Line Block Printing
Brief description
Book, 'Now We Are Six', first edition. Published in London by Methuen, 1927. NAL Pressmark: 60.CC.43.
Physical description
Book of children's verse with dust jacket and line block illustrations. x, [2], 103, [1] pages.
Dimensions
  • Paper height: 19.5cm
  • Paper width: 13cm
  • Depth: 1.5cm
Gallery label
(09/12/2017 - 08/04/2018)
First Editions

When We Were Very Young was a publishing sensation. It surprised Milne’s publishers, Methuen, who had issued a normal edition of around 5000. Within three months of publication they had sold almost 44,000 copies. Being more prepared for Winnie-the-Pooh, they started with 35,000 copies, and for the fourth book, The House at Pooh Corner, with 75,000. This success prompted the publishers to make copper electrotypes of the page settings, extending their life – these helped preserve the line blocks, were stronger and could be remade when worn.

[Group label Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic for a set, including one external loan of When We Were Very Young]
Other number
60.CC.43 - NAL Pressmark
Collection
National Art Library
Library number
38041800960866

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Record createdOctober 13, 2016
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1370581/now-we-are-six-book-milne-alan-alexander/
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