Rare Pooh books discovered at valuation day (From Surrey Comet)

Rare Winnie The Pooh books discovered at valuation day

8:20am Wednesday 18th February 2009 in News

An unknown couple are quietly celebrating a whopping windfall courtesy of Winnie The Pooh.

The tubby bear who has enchanted children and adults alike through the years could make a healthy contribution to their savings - if they could ever bring themselves to part with their collection of AA Milne first editions.

The couple took their four Winnie the Pooh books, all signed by the author’s son Christopher Robin, to a valuation day on Monday, and shocked to hear that each copy could fetch up to £4,000 at auction.

The husband had been at school with Christopher and had treasured the books from his school days onwards.

Although delighted with the news, they said they could not bear to part with the books, Winnie The Pooh, The House at Pooh Corner, Now We Are Six and When We Were Very Young. They will keep them safe to be handed down through the family.

It was just one of the important finds at the Ewell Rotary Club valuation day attended by local experts and some well known faces from the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow.

More than 500 people queued at Bourne Hall throughout the day to present their treasures to the experts.

One item brought in for inspection was an early 17th century bible which requires more investigation before the owner can be given an accurate valuation.

The expert to be shown the AA Milne books was Lorraine Spindler from Boffin Books in Walton-on-the-Hill.

“It is unusual to be shown one first edition Winnie The Pooh book in good condition but to be shown all four was very exciting - quite surreal. It was quite early in the day and I thought I was dreaming.”

The club’s valuation day has a reputation for finding hidden treasures with one of its highspots being the discovery of Lalique brooch valued at £30,000 bought for £10 at a car boot sale.

Monday’s valuation day raised more than £1,500 for local charities.

• Do you know who owns the books? Let us know at 0208 330 9543.