A superb set of the four first edition Winnie The Pooh books, signed by the author, anchors a vast selection of first edition children's literature, just one part of Heritage Auction Galleries' Oct. 16-17 Signature® Rare Books Auction at the company's Uptown Dallas headquarters.

If you ask most any child - or adult for that matter - who said, "I am a Bear of Very Little Brain, and long words bother me," you would scarcely have time to finish the question before the answer came exuberantly pouring out: Winnie the Pooh, or Pooh Bear, of course, the most famous bear in the world.

"There are few children's books, if any, more universally beloved than A.A. Milne's classic tale of a 'silly old bear' and his boy, Christopher Robin," said James Gannon, Director of Rare Books at Heritage Auctions. "To have a complete set of first editions in near fine dust jackets is rare enough, but to have them all signed by Milne himself makes them an irresistible delight for collectors." The set is estimated to bring between $25,000 and $35,000.

An almost equally famous line in children's literature, "I am Eloise I am six" is part of an equally impressive highlight of the children's literature trove in the October Heritage Rare Books Auction, the only known manuscript material for Kay Thompson's classic Eloise.

The manuscript is part of an archive of early draft manuscripts and typescripts for Thompson's celebrated children's book, Eloise, (including the immortal first lines, "I am Eloise I am six") and also for its adaptation for a vocal performance by Thompson, and its adaptation for the song "Eloise" by Thompson and Robert Wells. "Many of the drafts mention characters and incidents that do not appear in the book," said Gannon. "No other part of Thompson's early manuscripts are known to survive minus this unique group of documents, which also comes with a wonderful association copy of the book inscribed by the author to Wells, from whom the collection originated, along with signed and inscribed copies of the other three Eloise titles."

Adding further heft to the grouping is a trio of the 20^th Century's most loved books:

A first edition in wrappers of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, replete with a Rowling signature, continues Heritage's run of superb first edition Potter books, and further cements the firm's place as the premier auction vendor of first edition Harry Potter books. It's estimated at $6,000-$10,000.

In the early part of the last century, L. Frank Baum's Oz books were as popular as Rowling's Harry Potter books are today. Across the decades comes a beautiful example of one of the rarest survivals from the World of Oz, a first edition copy of The Wizard of Oz Waddle Book, with the original waddles intact, making it an almost irresistible addition to any Oz-lover's collection. It is estimated at $8,000-$12,000.

The most sought-after Arthur Rackham signed limited edition of J.M. Barrie's 1906 illustrated classic Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens will have true collectors of illustrated children's books and rare Peter Pan editions closely watching the progression of this impressive lot. It is number 308 of only 500 limited edition copies signed by Rackham on the limitation page. This lovely, rare illustrated book is estimated at $4,000-$6,000.

Dallas, TX: James Gannon, formerly with Heritage Book Shop in Los Angeles, has been named Director of Rare Books for Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries.

A native of Whittier, California, Gannon received his degree in film and video production from the University of California at San Diego, with minors in political science and Spanish literature. After graduation, he worked in the entertainment business as an artist manager, stage manager, and international television distributor. He also crewed on various television shows, commercials and feature films before finding his life's work in the world of Rare books.

The majority of Gannon's sixteen years experience in the rare book trade was gained through his association with Heritage Book Shop in Los Angeles. He has a special interest in early printed books, travels and voyages, color-plate books and fine printing, but he has handled and cataloged volumes of all types. He has been married for thirteen years to Yoonjeong Lee, and has a nine-year-old son, Theo Lee-Gannon, and a six-year-old daughter Yenna Lee-Gannon.

"I'm very excited to take on this position with Heritage," Gannon said, "as it represents a major step forward for both of us. For me to be able to bring my skills to work for this country's fastest growing auctioneer is thrilling, as it will give me the opportunity to do what I love on a much larger scale."

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