Resources for Movable Book Enthusiasts
First and Foremost -
We are delighted to share a special link to Virginia Commonwealth University's movable book collection,
which features works donated by our mother, Dr. Betty Tisinger!
Many of the books available for sale on our site are from Mom's esteemed collection. The collection of movable books at the Virginia Commonwealth University's James Branch Cabell Library is notable for its extensive range of titles, many of which were generously donated by Dr. Betty Tisinger, a retired Professor Emeritus of VCU’s Department of Art Education. The collection features nearly 1,000 books, showcasing the evolution of movable book art from the early 1800s to contemporary times. Dr. Tisinger's contributions have significantly enriched the library's offerings, providing valuable resources for students, researchers, and enthusiasts of book art. The Special Collections and Archives at Cabell Library are open for public viewing, offering a unique opportunity to explore these intricate and interactive books.
The Betty Tisinger Collection - Virginia Commonwealth University
The Movable Book Society
http://www.movablebooksociety.org
Founded in 1992 by Rutgers librarian Ann Montanaro, The Movable Book Society is an invaluable resource for collectors and enthusiasts of pop-up and movable books. This international organization provides a platform for members to share their passion and knowledge about these unique books. The society publishes a wonderful informative newsletter. The current Editor-in-Chief of Movable Stationery, the quarterly publication of The Movable Book Society, is Kara Mason. She took over the role from Bruce Foster, who had been serving in the position since 2018. Kara Mason is now responsible for editing and curating content for the newsletter, which includes in-depth reviews of new books, historical analyses, and features on book artists and trends in movable book production. The society serves as a vibrant community for collectors, artists, and enthusiasts to share information and enthusiasm about pop-up and movable books. We highly recommend joining the Movable Book Society. Membership info can be found here: Join the Movable Book Society
Robert Sabuda
https://www.robertsabuda.com
Renowned as one of the greatest and bestselling modern pop-up book creators, Robert Sabuda has captivated audiences with his intricate designs and storytelling. His website features his works, news, and insights into the world of pop-up books. We are enthusiastic collectors of Sabuda’s creations. His books are known for their innovative paper engineering and storytelling, often featuring elaborate mechanisms like rotating elements and pop-up scenes that leap off the page. In addition to creating pop-up books, Sabuda is dedicated to sharing his knowledge with the next generation of artists. He has provided workshops and classes on paper engineering and has expressed a commitment to teaching others the craft.
Pop-Up Kingdom
https://www.popupkingdom.com
The site, primarily in Chinese, is a fantastic website to explore, even if you don't speak the language. Pop-Up Kingdom was instrumental in organizing recent movable book exhibits in Taiwan, widely regarded as some of the finest displays ever created.
Ellen Rubin - The Popuplady
https://popuplady.com
Ellen G. K. Rubin, widely known as The Popuplady, is a prominent American collector and historian of pop-up and movable books. She is renowned for her extensive collection of over 9,000 items, including more than 1,000 works by the famous Czech paper engineer Vojtěch Kubašta. Rubin's collection spans a wide range of genres and historical periods, showcasing the evolution of paper engineering and storytelling through interactive books.
In addition to her collection, Rubin has made significant contributions to the field through her writing, lectures, and exhibitions. She has co-curated major exhibitions such as "Brooklyn Pops Up! The History and Art of the Movable Book" at the Brooklyn Public Library and "Pop-ups from Prague: A Centennial Celebration of the Graphic Artistry of Vojtěch Kubašta" at the Grolier Club in New York City. She also authored The Hanukkah Puzzle Book, a toy-book consisting of eight parts, and has written extensively about the history and mechanics of movable books
.Rubin is a charter member of the Movable Book Society and has been actively involved in promoting and preserving the art of pop-up books through her workshops, lectures, and her website, The Popuplady. Her work has been featured in various media outlets, including appearances on the Martha Stewart Show and CBS Sunday Morning, where she discussed the rich history of these unique books (Pop Up Lady) (Wikipedia) (Open Culture) (Wikiwand).
Livres Animés
https://www.livresanimes.com
Livres Animés is a comprehensive French-language site dedicated to the art of animated books. The site offers a wealth of information on various techniques, historical perspectives, and modern interpretations of pop-up and movable books. It's is a comprehensive French-language site dedicated to the art of animated books, known as "livres animés" in French. The website offers a wealth of information on various techniques and styles, including "livres pop-up" (pop-up books), "livres à tirettes" (pull-tab books), "livres à volets" (flap books), and "livres à système" (mechanical or system books). It also covers historical perspectives and modern interpretations of these interactive books. Serving as an excellent resource for enthusiasts and collectors, Livres Animés provides in-depth articles, reviews, and a passionate community of contributors.
UNT Libraries: Pop-up and Movable Books
https://library.unt.edu/rarebooks/exhibits/popup2/introduction.htm
The UNT Libraries exhibit, titled "Pop-up and Movable Books", offers an in-depth exploration of the fascinating world of interactive books. This collection showcases a wide range of paper engineering marvels, from simple volvelles and flaps to more sophisticated mechanisms like pull-tabs, pop-ups, and rotating elements. The exhibit traces the evolution of these unique books, highlighting significant innovations and milestones in the history of movable books.
Newberry Library: Pop-Up Books through the Ages
https://www.newberry.org/calendar/pop-up-books-through-the-ages
The Newberry Library features an extensive and diverse collection of movable books, including early manuscripts with hand-drawn dials, intricate 19th-century children's books, and interactive scenes. Their exhibitions, such as "Pop-Up Books through the Ages," delve into the rich history and development of movable books, showcasing a wide variety of formats like volvelles, flap books, pull-tabs, and pop-up scenes as well as rare items such as tunnel books, peepshows, paper dolls, panorama books, and carousel books.
State Library Victoria: Early History of Movable and Pop-Up Books
https://blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/our-stories/early-history-of-movable-and-pop-up-books/
The State Library Victoria article on the early history of movable and pop-up books explores the development of this genre, beginning with early peep show books. It highlights the contributions of key creators such as Ernest Nister, Lothar Meggendorfer, Robert Sayer, S. & J. Fuller, William and Stacy Grimaldi, Dean and Sons, and Frederick Warne & Co. The resource details various techniques and innovations, including volvelles, anatomical flaps, Harlequinades, Paper Doll books, Toilet Books, Peep Show books, pop-ups, and concertina books, emphasizing the evolution of these interactive works.
9. A. Montanaro (2005) - A Concise History of Pop‐Up and Movable Books Not a link, but an important book for collectors. Ann R. Montanaro is a notable figure in the world of pop-up and movable books, making significant contributions through her comprehensive bibliographic works. Her primary publication, "Pop-Up and Movable Books: A Bibliography" (1993), is a pioneering effort to catalog and document the history of this unique literary format, providing detailed descriptions and classifications of pop-up books from the Victorian era to contemporary times. Montanaro continued her work with supplements, including "Pop-Up and Movable Books: A Bibliography, Supplement 1, 1991-1997," which updated the original bibliography by indexing books published in that period. These volumes have become essential resources for collectors, librarians, and researchers interested in the history and design of movable books. Check out Ann's book: "Pop-up and Movable Books: A Bibliography," published by Scarecrow Press in 1993, ISBN: 978-0810822713.
10. Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books
https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/osborne/
The Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books at the Toronto Public Library is a prestigious research collection featuring over 80,000 items, including rare and historical children's literature. It showcases a variety of movable books such as pop-up books, pull-tab books, paper dolls, peepshow tunnel books, flap transformation books, volvelles, and theater books. The collection also includes novelty books, panorama and slotty books, metamorphoses, and harlequinades. It features literature from the 14th century to the early 20th century, along with book-related art, toys, games, and archival materials. The collection is organized into four parts: The Osborne Collection (pre-1910), The Lillian H. Smith Collection (post-1910), The Canadiana Collection, and The Jean Thomson Collection of Original Art. This collection is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of children's literature
11. Renier Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/search/?id_collection=THES48593&page=1&page_size=15
The Renier Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) is one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of children's literature in the UK. It includes over 80,000 books, as well as toys, games, and printed ephemera. This extensive collection was amassed by Anne and Fernand Renier and donated to the V&A in 1970. The collection features rare and unique movable books, pop-up books, and other illustrated works from various periods. It also has an extensive collection of paper dolls. Note that V&A does not offer a specific category to search for their movable books. You will need to try different searches. The link above is a good place to start however.
12. The Collection of Larry Seidman
https://drlar7.tumblr.com/post/75061030826/movable-biedermeier-card-by-poll-ca-1815/amp
The Collection of Larry Seidman features an extensive array of vintage movable paper toys, cards, mechanical books, and valentines. One of the highlights includes Biedermeier cards, known for their intricate designs and historical significance. These cards, originating in the early 19th century, are exquisite examples of paper engineering and artistic expression.
13. TuckDB Ephemera
https://www.tuckdbephemera.org/
A dedicated online archive that meticulously catalogs the rich history of Raphael Tuck & Sons, a prominent publisher known for their exquisite postcards, greeting cards, and various ephemera. Their comprehensive archive of Raphael Tuck & Sons' also includes diverse range of R. Tuck creations such as puzzles, panoramas, and greeting cards, the website features categories like mechanical perforated scenes, paper dolls, die-cut valentines, blotters, calendars, hand fans, booklets, albums, menu cards, and paper novelties. The website offers detailed information on a vast collection of items, providing images, descriptions, and historical context. This resource is invaluable for collectors, researchers, and enthusiasts, offering insight into the artistic and cultural significance of Tuck's creations from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
14. JoAnn Reisler - rare book dealer - we also love David Brass Rare Books
http://www.joannreisler.com/
https://www.davidbrassrarebooks.com/
We highly recommend JoAnn Reisler's site. If you're searching for a specific book that we don't have, definitely check her collection. Over the years, our mother has purchased several wonderful books from Jo Ann, and we've always found them to be exceptional and accurately described. Jo Ann Reisler is a renowned dealer in rare and collectible books, with a special focus on pop-up and movable books, children's literature, and illustrated works. Her collection often includes rare and unique items with insightful historical information.
David Brass also offers a wonderful selection of antiquarian movable books. Each book comes with thorough descriptions and includes some historical information, providing context and insight on each one.
Enjoy this Jo Ann Reilser YouTube link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHzqNQWeDqk
15. Smithsonian Libraries - A Walk-Through of Pop-Up/Movable Book History
https://library.si.edu/digital-library/exhibition/paper-engineering/walk-through-pop-upmovable-book-history
This exhibition provides a historical survey of pop-up and movable books, showcasing key examples from 1476 to 2008. The Smithsonian Libraries exhibition on the history of pop-up and movable books features an array of book types, including volvelles, pop-ups, transformations, tunnel books, harlequinades, and metamorphic books. It highlights key figures like Robert Sayer, Dean & Son, Lothar Meggendorfer, Louis Giraud, Julian Wehr, and contemporary artists such as David A. Carter, Robert Sabuda, and Matthew Reinhart. The exhibition showcases both historical and contemporary works, demonstrating the evolution and artistry of paper engineering.
16. The Victoria and Albert Museum (Peepshows)
https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/paper-peepshows
The Victoria and Albert Museum's website offers an extensive and detailed article titled "Paper Peepshows: The World’s Stage in the Palm of Your Hand." This resource explores the fascinating history and intricate artistry of paper peepshows, a form of optical entertainment popular from the 18th century onward. The article covers the development and evolution of these delicate artifacts, showcasing their use as both educational tools and sources of entertainment. It highlights notable examples, such as views of the Thames Tunnel and the Crystal Palace, and discusses the materials and techniques used in their creation.
Be sure to see their blog articles as well. The V&A's collection includes over 400 peepshows, many from the Gestetner Collection, providing a rich visual archive that spans several centuries. This collection offers insights into the social, cultural, and artistic contexts in which these peepshows were produced and enjoyed.
Note: Other names for peepshow's include Peepshow, Tunnel Book, Accordion-style Peepshow, Perspective View, Optical Device, Paper Diorama, Peep-box, Guckkastenbilder (German), boîte à perspectives (French), kijkkast (Dutch), "覗き絵" (Nozoki-e) (Japanese), "Caja de perspectiva" or "Teatro de papel" (Spanish), "Teatrino di carta" or "Scatola di prospective" (Italian)
17. Best Pop-Up Books
https://www.bestpopupbooks.com/
We love this website! It keeps us updated on new pop-up book releases and offers a comprehensive list of current authors and paper engineers. The site features stunning and fun graphics, detailed reviews, unboxings, and in-depth analyses of various pop-up books. Additionally, it includes interviews with collectors, artists, and paper engineers. Some notable names include Yevgeniya Yeretskaya, known for her intricate and durable designs, and Yoojin Kim, who has a background in printmaking and graphic design. Other influential figures highlighted are Tina Kraus, a freelance illustrator and paper engineer, Rosston Meyer, known for his collaborations with artists like Junko Mizuno, and Simon Arizpe, a Meggendorfer Prize winner recognized for his innovative designs. Shawn Sheehy discusses his work on ecological themes, while Matthew Reinhart and Robert Sabuda are celebrated for their advanced paper engineering and contributions to popular titles. This site is an invaluable resource for anyone passionate about the art of pop-up books.
18. The Pop-App International Centre on Interactive Books
https://www.pop-app.org/
This is a research center within the Fondazione Tancredi di Barolo in Turin, Italy. It focuses on the study, cataloging, restoration, and promotion of historical animated and interactive books. The center supports interdisciplinary projects, exhibitions, conferences, and publications. It also manages the "Journal of Interactive Books," an open-access, peer-reviewed journal. The center collaborates with public and private institutions to preserve and highlight the cultural significance of these unique books. Considered the most significant public collection of animated books in Italy, they showcase a diverse range of animated book styles.
They focus on the study and preservation of historical and contemporary libri animati (animated books) and libri interattivi (interactive books). The collection includes libri con leve (lever-based books), volvelle, libri tridimensionali (three-dimensional books), libri pop-up, libri teatro (theater books), libri con figure mobili (books with loose figures or paper dolls), libri giocattolo (toy books), and libri di novità (novelty books).
Historic publishers are also covered, like Hoepli, Treves, Antonio Vallardi, and Morpurgo who have played a significant role in developing these formats in Italy, while contemporary publishers such as Rizzoli and Salani continue to innovate.
19. Kamakura's pop-up picture book store: Meggendorfer
鎌倉のしかけ絵本専門店：メッゲンドルファー
https://www.meggendorfer.jp/
Japan's first specialty store dedicated to movable books, located in the scenic city of Kamakura. The shop boasts an extensive collection of pop-up books, including exclusive Japanese editions and original products that are not available elsewhere. In addition to its wide variety of books, they offer workshops where participants can learn about the intricacies of creating movable books. The store also features a small exhibition space, showcasing unique and rare pop-up books.In Japan, pop-up and movable books are often referred to as "ポップアップ絵本" (poppuappu ehon) for pop-up books and "仕掛け絵本" (shikake ehon) for movable books. Other terms include "飛び出す絵本" (tobidasu ehon) meaning "pop-out books" and "動く絵本" (ugoku ehon) meaning "moving books."
20. Ephemera Society (UK)
http://www.ephemera-society.org.uk/
A dedicated organization that focuses on the collection, study, and appreciation of printed ephemera. Founded in 1975, the society aims to promote understanding and knowledge of ephemeral materials, which include a wide range of everyday items that were originally intended to be discarded after use. The society's collections and interests encompass a variety of printed materials such as posters, tickets, trade cards, advertisements, and greeting cards. A notable aspect of the society's work includes the study and collection of movable ephemera. This includes items such as pop-up books, mechanical greeting cards, movable advertising cards, and other interactive paper items. The society's website and publications feature articles, exhibitions, and discussions about the history, design, and cultural significance of these movable pieces.
The Ephemera Society (UK) also organizes events, exhibitions, and fairs, providing a platform for collectors, historians, and enthusiasts to share and explore the rich history of ephemera. The society's resources offer invaluable insights into the evolving nature of everyday printed materials and their role in reflecting societal trends and changes.
21. Ephemera Society of America
https://www.ephemerasociety.org/
A prominent organization dedicated to the study and preservation of vintage ephemera. Founded in 1980, the society brings together collectors, scholars, and enthusiasts of a wide range of ephemeral materials, including paper items like postcards, advertising materials, and printed ephemera, as well as three-dimensional objects like toys and games. The society hosts an annual conference where members can share their collections and participate in workshops and presentations related to ephemera. They also publish a quarterly newsletter and maintain an online directory of resources, including dealers and museums.
In addition to these activities, the Ephemera Society of America also covers a lot of movable ephemera, which includes items such as mechanical greeting cards, pop-ups, and other interactive paper constructions. For example: Mechanical Cards: Also known as action cards, these items incorporate elements like pull tabs, rotating wheels, and other mechanisms that create movement or change in the image or message. For example, a pull tab might reveal a hidden picture or change the appearance of a scene. Also - Pull-tab Trade Cards: A specific type of mechanical card, these trade cards often featured advertisements or promotional messages. They could include pull tabs that, when activated, would alter the image or display a different message, making them not only a marketing tool but also an interactive experience for the user. They also include many other Interactive Paper Items: A broad category that includes items like volvelles (rotating paper mechanisms), lift-the-flap items, and transformation cards, all of which offer a hands-on experience through their interactive elements. These movable items are of particular interest due to their intricate designs and the mechanical ingenuity involved in their creation.
The society's events and publications often feature discussions on the historical significance and collecting aspects of these movable pieces, providing a comprehensive understanding of their cultural and artistic value. They serve as a hub for the ephemera community, offering a platform for collectors and scholars to exchange knowledge and insights about the preservation and appreciation of these transient yet valuable artifacts.
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