Books and Manuscripts

London: (Dean & Son, ca. 1850s-60s). First edition. Tall 8vo. Eight leaves, each with printed text and eight chromolithographic movable parts, each movable scene composed of three plates connected by silk draw strings, depicting various scenes from the story; all but one of the original drawstrings intact, string on fourth leaf likely replaced. Original quarter green pebbled cloth over illustrated paper-covered boards, boards and extremities rubbed and worn; printed ads on rear board; all edges trimmed; brown endpapers; front hinge crudely repaired with sello tape; old ownership inscription in pencil on verso of front free endpaper; scattered spotting to text leaves; first leaf loose, others starting; remnants of tape repair along gutter of second leaf; sello tape repair in upper gutter of fourth leaf. OCLC locates six copies: National Library of New Zealand, Princeton University Library, University of Florida, Birmingham-Southern College Library, Smithsonian Institute Library, Universtiy of Michigan, and Yale University Library. Copac locates two copies, in the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford libraries.

A rare first edition of one of the earliest pop-up books ever created. Each pop-up scene is crafted in a "peep-show" style, and is composed of three chromolithographic plates, one placed in front of the other from smallest to largest, and connected by a ribbon running through them. When the ribbon is pulled by the reader the plates are lifted and the scene is revealed creating an illusion of depth and space. The scenes depicted are as follows: 1. Cinderella sitting alone, looking forlorn, beside a fire in a kitchen; 2. the two Ugly Sisters in their boudoir, with Cinderella looking on and cleaning; 3. Cinderella in a ball gown, being led to an awaiting coach by her Fairy Godmother; 4. Cinderella at the ball, dancing with the handsome Prince; 5. Cinderella running from the ball and losing a glass slipper, as the clock strikes twelve; 6. a Royal equerry announcing to the town folk the intention of the Prince to track down and marry the owner of the glass slipper; 7. the glass slipper fitted on to Cinderella as the disappointed Ugly Sisters look on; 8. Cinderella marrying the Prince.

Dean & Son of London popularized the first true pop-up books, and released three others in this series, Little Red Riding Hood, Robinson Crusoe, and Aladdin.

We can locate only five other copies in the auction record going back to 1977, each variously worn and with repairs. Due to the fragility of the volume, it is remarkable that the movable parts in this copy are in working order.