Dean & Son - Dean's New Scenic Books #2 - Robinson Crusoe Dutch edition

BELINFANTE'S NIEUWE PRENTENBOEKEN
Dutch Edition of Dean & Son - Dean's New Scenic Books #2 - Robinson Crusoe

Publisher:
S Gravenhage Gebroeders Belinfante (Translates to : The Hague Brothers Belinfante )

Dimensions:
10 x 6 7/8 x 5/16 inches (25.4 x 17.5 x 0.8 cm)

Description:

• Format: Quarto-sized volume.
• Binding: Original quarter blue cloth with illustrated paper over boards.
• Content: Comprises 8 leaves, each featuring a three-layer pop-up scene. These scenes are operated by silk ribbons, allowing the illustrations to stand upright when the ribbons are pulled. The hand-colored lithographic images depict various episodes from Robinson Crusoe, offering a three-dimensional storytelling experience.

The Gebroeders Belinfante, the firm responsible for publishing Belinfante's Nieuwe Prentenboeken series in 1865, operated in The Hague and became known for producing educational and entertaining children’s books. If you see “’s-Gravenhage” in reference to a publisher’s location or in the publication details of a historical Dutch book, it simply indicates that the book was published in The Hague.

Others in their series: Roodkapje (Dutch edition of Little Red Riding Hood New Scenic Books by Dean, circa 1865 - Similar to Robinson Crusoë, Roodkapje features cut-out, hand-colored lithographic illustrations that stand upright, making it an interactive experience for readers -.

Wouter Wonderman's Wondervolle Surprises (circa 1865 - This book differs from the other titles by being a flip-over book with eight pages. Each page has fold-out flaps that reveal new scenes, making it a "surprise" book with multiple interactive elements.

How does this publisher connect with Dean & Son editions?
The absence of comprehensive copyright protection for foreign authors and publishers in the Netherlands in the 19th century made it easy for Dutch publishers to legally produce translations and reprints of foreign works, including British titles, without needing permission or paying fees. Under the 1817 Copyright Act, only Dutch authors, translators, and publishers had legal copyright protection. This legislation did not extend to foreign authors or publishers, leaving their works unprotected from reprints or translations in the Dutch market.

For Dutch publishers, this was highly advantageous. They could offer international literature to Dutch readers without incurring the costs associated with acquiring rights, thus avoiding significant licensing expenses. This practice was particularly beneficial in the Netherlands, where a small domestic literary market and limited original output made foreign works valuable for publishers looking to satisfy demand. Furthermore, with high foreign language proficiency in the Netherlands, readers were accustomed to consuming international content, which increased the popularity of translated foreign works.

This environment provided fertile ground for publishers like Gebroeders Belinfante to reprint and translate popular works from abroad, such as Dean & Son’s New Scenic Books.

Another example is that 1869, the Gebroeders Belinfante of The Hague intended to publish a Dutch translation of Wilkie Collins's novel Man and Wife. They requested permission to use the illustrations from the British edition but did not seek authorization for the translation itself. This approach was common at the time due to the Netherlands' "free trade in copyright" policy, which did not recognize foreign authors' rights. Collins responded with sarcasm, referring to them as his "dear Dutchmen" and sought to expose the principles on which Dutch publishers operated concerning copy and translation rights.

Dutch publishers eventually began paying for translations, but this shift took time. by the late 19th century, as international pressure mounted and as the literary market evolved, there was a growing recognition of the need for copyright reform. In 1886, the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works was established to create a standardized system of copyright protection across member countries. The Netherlands joined the Berne Convention in 1912, finally providing foreign authors and publishers with copyright protection and requiring Dutch publishers to obtain permission and pay for translations and reprints.

After joining the Berne Convention, Dutch publishers could no longer freely publish translated works without legal agreements, leading to a shift in how foreign literature was handled in the Netherlands. From then on, publishers needed to negotiate contracts and pay for the rights to translate and publish international works, marking the end of the era of free, unauthorized translations and reprints. This change was part of a broader movement towards intellectual property protection and international cooperation in the publishing industry.

About S Gravenhage Gebroeders Belinfante :

Joseph Justus Belinfante (1812–1882) was in business with family members, including his brother Isaac Belinfante (1814–1892). The Belinfante family operated under the name Gebroeders Belinfante (Belinfante Brothers) and were based in 's-Gravenhage (The Hague). Together, they managed the Nederlandsch Correspondentie Bureau, a prominent correspondence bureau, and were involved in publishing a variety of works, including legal, governmental, and children's literature. Their publishing efforts extended beyond legal texts, as they also translated and distributed international works, including Dutch editions of English books originally published by Dean & Son.

In the mid-18th century, the Belinfante family established themselves in The Hague, approximately a century after the first Sephardic Jews settled in the city. They quickly became integral members of both the Sephardic and Ashkenazi communities, as well as the broader Dutch society. Their involvement spanned various sectors, including commerce, religion, and the arts. The family’s contributions to publishing and journalism were significant, with Belinfante publicists founding the first Jewish publication in the Netherlands. By the 19th century, the family was well integrated into Dutch society, with members active in education, literature, and commerce.

Born into this illustrious Jewish lineage, with roots tracing back through Turkey, Portugal, and Italy since the 17th century, Joseph Justus Belinfante was the son of Jacob and the nephew of Mozes ben-Zaddik Ha-Cohen Belinfante. Joseph Justus began his career as a proofreader, working proficiently in both French and Dutch, before moving into the publishing industry. His meticulous attention to detail and linguistic skills helped him establish a reputation for producing high-quality printed works. Along with his brother and other family members, he contributed to the development of Dutch publishing, especially in the realm of government publications and children's books. Their translations and adaptations of English titles, including movable books, brought international literary works to Dutch audiences.

Married in 1837 to Bilha Lobato (1804−1880), Joseph Justus Belinfante had no children of his own but maintained close relationships with his many nephews and cousins, who affectionately referred to him as "Oom Joost" (Uncle Justus). His legacy endures not only through the works he helped produce but also in the broader impact of the Belinfante family's publishing contributions in the Netherlands.

References

Buijnsters, P. J. (2001). Lust en Leering: Geschiedenis van het Nederlandse Kinderboek in de Negentiende Eeuw. Retrieved from Digitale Bibliotheek voor de Nederlandse Letteren (DBNL): https://www.dbnl.org/tekst/buij001lust01_01/buij001lust01_01_0024.php

Peschier, D. (1998). Wilkie Collins and his "Dear Dutchmen": Collins in the Netherlands. Wilkie Collins Society Journal, August 1998.

Mouhot, H. (1864). Travels in the Central Parts of Indo-China (Siam), Cambodia, and Laos, during the Years 1858, 1859, and 1860 (Vol. 1 & 2). London: John Murray. Retrieved from https://angkordatabase.asia/books/travels-in-the-central-parts-of-indo-china-siam-cambodia-and-laos

Peters, Catherine. Wilkie Collins and His 'Dear Dutchmen'. Wilkie Collins Society, 1998. Available online.

"Belinfante." Akevoth - Archive of Dutch Jewry. Accessed February 7, 2025. https://www.dutchjewry.org/drieluik/belinfante/belinfante.shtml

$2,310.00

Product Code: D-13B