Arion Press’s version lays bare the psychological underpinnings of Milne’s work. Beloved for its whimsical tone, intentional misspellings, and childlike patter, the tale reflects the writer’s attempt to reconcile horrors he witnessed during World War I with an idealized, rural England. Sandow Birk’s pen-and-ink renderings provide a visual counterpoint to Milne’s story, deepening the exploration of life, death, war, peace, love, and companionship. 

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The evocative artwork tacks between scenes of the present and the past, with images from Milne’s Hundred Acre Wood rendered as flashbacks or perhaps even fever dreams of an earlier, more innocent time. Inspired in part by the men and women living in his own Long Beach, California, neighborhood, Birk offers an unflinching commentary on how society treats the unhoused, while at the same time helping to humanize them. 

Arion’s edition of Pooh is available for pre-order before its public release. Please inquire about the availability of books in sheets.

Deluxe edition copies are accompanied by an original, full-scale, two-color relief print, 100 Acre Woods, printed black over half-toned light beige highlights. Birk’s map references Milne’s beloved, hand-drawn original. The prints measure 18 x 24 inches on 250 gsm cream Stonehenge and are limited to 60 copies for sale, each signed by the artist: 40 accompany the Deluxe edition, and an additional 20 are offered for individual sale.

Production Details

• Limited to 250 copies for sale.

• Large quarto, 12 3/8 x 9 3/8 inches, 136 pages printed in two colors throughout.

• 56 drawings in total, including full-page tableaux and hand-drawn banners for each chapter head and the title page.

• Front and rear endsheets feature Birk’s double-page map of the Hundred Acre Wood.

• Printed on white 150 gsm mould-made Hahnemühle Ingres.

• Printed by letterpress from metal type cast and hand-set onsite.

• Birk’s custom drawing for the cover incorporates the titling and credits into a streetscape rendered in four colors: rust, beige, black, and silver.

• Signed by the artist.

• Arion Press publication #127, 2024.

The Fine Press Edition

• Paper over boards imprinted in four colors with cloth spines.

• Presented in handmade slipcases with cloth-wrapped edges and paper side panels imprinted in four colors on concrete-gray paper.

• Smyth sewn.

• Limited to 210 copies for sale.

The Deluxe Edition

• Paper over boards imprinted in four colors with goatskin leather spines.

• Presented in handmade slipcases with cloth-wrapped edges and royal blue paper side panels with a large metallic blue bear foil-stamped over a bold “Pooh” graffito.

• Handsewn with linen thread over linen tapes.

• Handsewn silk headbands.

• Accompanied by limited-edition relief print in two colors, signed.

• Limited to 40 copies for sale.