The lot includes letters and drawings by author AA Milne, illustrator EH Shepard and publisher Frederick Muller.

The collection belonged to the late Leslie Smith, founder of publishing company Cressrelles. The letters were found by Smith’s children after his death two years ago while they were clearing out his attic. 

The collection also contains letters from Enid Blyton amd two postcards from JRR Tolkien, the Independent reports.