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A. A. MILNE
Now We Are Six
New York: E. P. Dutton & Co., circa 1951
163RD PRINTING | ORIGINAL DUST JACKET | ERNEST H. SHEPARD ILLUSTRATIONS HAND-COLORED THROUGHOUT
A charming and highly decorative vintage copy of A. A. Milne’s beloved children’s classic Now We Are Six, illustrated throughout by Ernest H. Shepard and retaining its original dust jacket.
This is the 163rd Dutton printing, dating to approximately 1951. What distinguishes this copy from an ordinary later printing is the extensive hand-coloring applied throughout to Shepard’s familiar black-and-white line illustrations.
The coloring was not issued by the publisher. It was added after publication by an unidentified hand, apparently with considerable care and consistency. The result is a unique, individually embellished copy with strong visual and decorative appeal.
THE HAND-COLORED ILLUSTRATIONS
Ernest H. Shepard’s illustrations have been carefully colored throughout the volume in a restrained and sympathetic palette.
Rather than obscuring the original drawings, the color generally follows Shepard’s line work and enhances the figures, clothing, landscapes, animals, and decorative details. The treatment gives the book a warm, storybook character while preserving the delicacy and humor of the original illustrations.
Although the identity of the colorist is unknown, the work appears deliberate and consistent rather than casual. This is best regarded as a unique hand-enhanced copy rather than a publisher-issued color edition.
Highlights include:
Shepard illustrations hand-colored throughout
Original E. P. Dutton dust jacket
163rd printing, circa 1951
Individually embellished and visually distinctive
Pooh-related gift inscription to the front endpapers
Strong display and gift appeal
A unique variation on a classic Milne title
THE BOOK
First published in 1927, Now We Are Six is one of Milne’s best-loved collections of children’s verse and the companion volume to When We Were Very Young.
The poems include appearances by Christopher Robin, Winnie-the-Pooh, and other figures associated with the Hundred Acre Wood. Shepard’s illustrations are integral to the enduring appeal of the book and helped establish the visual identity of Milne’s characters for generations of readers.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC DETAILS
Author: A. A. Milne
Title: Now We Are Six
Illustrator: Ernest H. Shepard
Place: New York
Publisher: E. P. Dutton & Co.
Printing: 163rd printing
Date: circa 1951
Format: Hardcover
Dust Jacket: Present
Illustrations: Black-and-white Shepard illustrations hand-colored after publication
CONDITION
Very good vintage condition overall.
The book is firmly bound and internally clean, with light age toning consistent with the period. The hand-coloring remains bright, attractive, and well preserved throughout.
Previous owner inscriptions and notes appear on the front endpapers, including a charming Pooh-themed gift inscription. These contribute to the book’s personal history but should be noted by collectors seeking an unmarked copy.
The original dust jacket is present and protected in a clear archival sleeve. The jacket shows moderate age-related wear, including toning, rubbing, edge wear, small tears, and areas of loss, as visible in the photographs.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.
IMPORTANT NOTE
This is not a publisher-issued color edition. The illustrations were hand-colored after publication by an unidentified owner or artist.
No attribution is made regarding the identity or date of the colorist. The coloring appears approximately contemporary or near-contemporary with the book and is notably more careful and consistent than typical juvenile coloring.
A delightful and visually distinctive copy of one of A. A. Milne’s classic Pooh-era books. While the 163rd printing is not scarce in itself, the extensive hand-coloring and surviving dust jacket make this an unusually decorative, one-of-a-kind example with appeal for collectors of Milne, Shepard, Winnie-the-Pooh, vintage children’s books, and hand-embellished illustrated books.
Keywords: A. A. Milne, Now We Are Six, Ernest H. Shepard, Winnie-the-Pooh, Christopher Robin, E. P. Dutton, 1951, 163rd printing, hand-colored illustrations, hand-painted book, vintage children’s book, original dust jacket, Pooh collectible, decorative book, unique copy.
