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Some storybook characters need no introduction.
Peter Rabbit, Winnie-the-Pooh and Mr Tumnus have transcended generations. Over time, they have become part of the canon not only in a literary sense, but as household names, encapsulating some of the happiest and most formative moments of childhood.
For me, their timeless magic is inseparable from memory. Even on a rainy day, I can still find myself humming “the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down” from the 1981 Winnie-the-Pooh VHS tape I watched as a child. It is a small, almost absurdly nostalgic detail, but it captures how deeply these stories become woven into our lives.
Holding a first edition in your hands, knowing that this was the first time the story appeared in print and that it has since travelled so far beyond those original pages, brings a sense of awe.
At a time when we are continually debating children’s screen time, treasures such as these remind us of a simpler kind of magic: a time when our greatest concerns were playing Poohsticks or wondering whether a hidden world might be waiting for us behind an old wardrobe.
First editions offer collectors more than a beloved story. They provide a tangible connection to the books that have shaped childhood for generations. These works continue to influence literature, illustration and popular culture today, making them important pieces of both literary and social history.
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, 1st edition, [1950], Winnie-the-Pooh, 1st edition, 1926, When We Were Very Young, 1924 and a selection of early Beatrix Potter works will be offered for sale in our Rare Books & Manuscripts Auction, February 2027.
Consignment deadline: 11th December
Valuation day for Rare Books & Manuscripts: 10th September 2026.
Contact s.wynn@adams.ie
John ffrench was an instrumental figure in the design industry in Ireland and a distinguished pioneer of Irish studio pottery.
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"I should declare my hand. I have a weakness for pictures that punch above their physical weight, and for artists who have been quietly underrated for too long. This pair is both. They are intimate enough to live with at close quarters and serious enough to repay any amount of looking. If the market has lately shown signs of catching up with eighteenth-century Irish painting and I think it has, these two small panels feel, to me, like exactly the sort of thing that will look obvious in twenty years’ time."
Adam’s is honoured to present works from the collection of Lord Rossmore in the upcoming Country House Collections auction at Howth Castle on 28th April. It is seldom that an influential Irish family collection that has survived through the generations comes to the open market.
Works Sold at Adam’s Now in the Irish National Collection
A great opportunity to purchase both established and lesser-known artist’s work at an accessible price point, the Online Picture Auction is the first of many sales to be hosted at Adam’s in 2026. It is perfect for those looking to start a collection and the discerning collector alike.
Through this article, let our expert Adam Pearson guiding you to the (re)discovery of the once established Irish painter Richard O’Neill.
Buying at Auction and the Role of Antiques in a Modern Home
Important Irish Art Auction Highlights
Oliver Dowling Collection by Aidan Dunne
2024 is a year in which Adam’s wants to recognise the key role buying antique furniture and furnishings at auction contributes greatly to the sustainable initiative. In 2019 the Environmental Protection Agency reported stark figures that each year in Ireland 1.2 million reusable bulky items, primarily furniture goes into landfill. Similar to the problem of ‘fast fashion’, the constant production and consumption of new items is leading to rapidly growing waste problem. We want to acknowledge those who are already buying second hand or antique furniture at auction and to encourage new buyers by highlighting the benefits of acquiring affordable, well-made quality items that are built to last.
Irish author, recipe creator and lifestyle influencer, Indy Parsons, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
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Cork-born Irish actress, Sarah Greene, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
James Adam & Sons Ltd, Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers, 26 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2,
D02 X665, Ireland
