From Attic to Auction: The Surprising Discovery of A.A. Milne’s Lost Works
February 13, 2025
One of our writers recently came across a fascinating article from Smithsonianmag.com detailing a remarkable literary discovery.
While cleaning out his late father’s attic, a man named Simon Smith stumbled upon a plastic bag filled with historical documents—letters, drawings, and manuscripts that once belonged to A.A. Milne, the beloved creator of Winnie-the-Pooh. This unexpected find has since captivated the publishing world, with the documents fetching over £95,000 (more than $118,000) at auction.
The papers, discovered among the belongings of Leslie Smith, a publishing professional from Malvern, England, included original Winnie-the-Pooh manuscripts and illustrations. Among the treasures were early sketches for The Christopher Robin Birthday Book, first drafts of Milne’s poem Wind on the Hill, and corrected proofs of Now We Are Six and The House at Pooh Corner.
Even more intriguing were letters between Milne, illustrator E.H. Shepard, and publisher Frederick Muller, shedding light on Milne’s thoughts about Pooh’s portrayal and his occasional frustrations with the artwork.
Beyond Milne’s correspondence, the collection contained unexpected literary gems, including letters from famed children’s author Enid Blyton and postcards from The Lord of the Rings creator J.R.R. Tolkien. These findings provide a deeper glimpse into the publishing circles of the early 20th century and the relationships between some of literature’s most celebrated figures.
Simon Smith, realizing the historical significance of these documents, decided to auction them so they could be preserved and appreciated rather than kept in private family possession.
Milne’s legacy remains as cherished today as it was nearly a century ago. His stories, born from playful moments between father and son in the English countryside, have continued to enchant readers for generations.
The discovery of these long-lost papers offers an incredible connection to the creative process behind some of the most beloved children’s literature of all time, reaffirming Winnie-the-Pooh’s place in literary history.