[A.A. Milne (1882-1956)] – Harold Fraser-Simson (1872-1944)
Autograph musical settings of Milne’s verse, with an autograph poem by Milne, [1927-1930]
A collection of autograph manuscript music for The Hums of Pooh (1929), Now we are Six (1927), and Toad of Toad Hall (1930), along with first editions, and an autograph poem by Milne.
Provenance: Harold Fraser-Simson (1872-1944); Sotheby’s, 15 December 1987, lots 101-104.

Comprising:

1) Autograph manuscripts signed, the printer’s copy of the songs for The Hums of Pooh, [before 1929]

Scored for voice and piano for all 17 songs. c.31 pages in total, 240 x 300mm, notated in blue ink on up to four systems per page, autograph titles and signature (‘H. Fraser Simson’) at the head of each song, autograph emendations and cancellations, some in pencil and red ink, a stichvorlage marked up by the printer. Provenance: Sotheby’s, 15 December 1987, lot 102.

The Hums of Pooh contains musical settings of the songs from The House at Pooh Corner. Although this manuscript was used by the printer for the first edition published by Methuen in 1929, there are some differences between the published version and the manuscript: the titles of the fifth and eighth songs vary, with song no 8 called here ‘Anxious Pooh Song’, but published as ‘3 Cheers for Pooh’.

[With:]

2) The Hums of Pooh. London: Methuen & Co., in conjunction with Ascherberg, Hopwood & Crew (1929). Provenance: Sotheby’s, 15 December 1987, lot 103. First edition, signed and inscribed by Fraser-Simson.


[And:]
3) Autograph manuscripts, most signed, working manuscripts of the songs from Now we are Six, [1927-8]

Scored for voice and piano. c.64 pages in total, 240 x 300mm, notated in blue ink on up to 12 staves per page, autograph annotations, emendations and cancellations, marked up by the printer. Provenance: Sotheby’s, 15 December 1987, lot 104.

The songs here include: ‘Waiting at the Window’ (dated July 1928), ‘Sneezles’, ‘Cradle Song’ and several others from other collections. Now we are Six was first published by Methuen in 1927; a number of the songs here show variance from the published versions.

[And:]

4) Collection of manuscript music from Toad of Toad Hall, [c.1930]

In full and short score, much in autograph, some instrumental parts in other hands. Over 120 pages in total, various sizes. Including: a substantial draft of the score, a working manuscript, notated in blue ink on up to twelve staves per page, autograph annotations, emendations and cancellations, marked up by the printer; several pages of sketches and unused material; and Fraser-Simson's annotated first edition of the work (lacking wrappers); along with an autograph poem by A.A. Milne, ‘The Judge's Song’, used in Toad of Toad Hall. Provenance: Sotheby’s, 15 December 1987, lot 101.

Please not that the first edition Hums of Pooh is not signed and inscribed with an autograph poem, so this lot includes only a single autograph poem, not two as previously stated.