SOLD - Tony Sarg's Treasure Book - Near Mint in original publishers box - movable book

Sarg’s career began in puppetry, and he is often credited with revitalizing the art form in the United States during the early 20th century. His marionette shows toured extensively, and he became known for his masterful control and detailed puppet designs. His success in puppetry naturally led him into other visual arts, including animation. In 1921, Sarg animated The First Circus, a short film that was part of a series called Tony Sarg’s Almanac. This early foray into animation demonstrated Sarg’s ability to adapt puppetry techniques for the screen.

While living in New York, Tony Sarg immersed himself in art and publishing, earning illustration commissions from magazines like The Saturday Evening Post and Vanity Fair. However, he stood out through puppetry, giving his first performance in the Flatiron Building and later bringing shows like Rip Van Winkle and Alice in Wonderland to Broadway and international stages, including the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. He also designed murals and products for New York hotels and department stores, opened toy shops, and his work became an ideal of American puppetry, praised for its artistry and humor.

One of Sarg’s most enduring contributions to American culture is his role in transforming the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade into a spectacle of giant, floating characters. In 1928, Sarg was commissioned by Macy’s to design massive helium-filled balloons, including animals such as elephants and tigers, to replace live animals in the parade. These balloons were tethered and maneuvered by handlers along the streets of New York City, a concept that quickly became a staple of the parade. His innovations in balloon design, particularly their size and durability, set the standard for the giant balloon floats that still grace the parade today.

Sarg shifted his focus away from competing with other puppet studios and instead delved into illustrating magazine covers, guide books, and original children's books. He also ventured into designing games and toys, blending his creative flair with functional play. His talents extended beyond the world of illustration—Sarg created sophisticated interiors for luxury department stores and restaurants, including the supper club at the Waldorf Astoria in New York.

At the 1939 New York World's Fair, Sarg played a significant role, designing the event's official pictorial map and creating vibrant, modern fabric patterns with World's Fair motifs. These designs were used for women’s scarves, handkerchiefs, dresses, table linens, and upholstery, all sold through Lord & Taylor. His influence continued through his protégé, Bil Baird, who went on to design the famous puppets for the film The Sound of Music.

Tony Sarg's bankruptcy in 1939 likely contributed to the delay of The Treasure Book, which was published posthumously in 1944. Financial difficulties from overextending his business ventures led to the dissolution of his marionette company and the selling of his puppets to settle debts. After declaring bankruptcy, Sarg focused on smaller-scale projects, including his work with Macy's and the creation of children’s books, but his financial challenges would have made the production of more complex projects, like The Treasure Book, difficult to complete during his lifetime.