Rariora

rar·i·o·ra
noun plural \ˌra(a)rēˈōrə\
:  rare collector's items (as books)

Some forty plus years ago, I received this copy of A.A. Milne’s classic children’s book, Winnie-The-Pooh as a gift from a close friend of my father who knew the author’s son, Christopher Robin Milne.

On the verso of the title page is an illustration of Eeyore in the Hundred Acre Wood, and around this is written in ink: “Inscribed to Dana Murphy with all good wishes Christopher Robin Milne, Dartmouth 14.8.72”

According to Wikipedia’s biography of Christopher Robin Milne, “he began to resent what he saw as his father's exploitation of his childhood and came to hate the books that had thrust him into the public eye.” Given that attitude, I suspect that this signed copy is a rare thing indeed.

The other volume pictured is a copy of Ken Kesey’s novel, Sometimes A Great Notion -- one of Richard’s favourite tales. Shortly before Mr. Kesey’s death in 2001, he was kind enough to inscribe this book in true Merry Prankster style for my husband.