A Journey Through Pop-up Books By: Crystal Bowers
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A Journey Through Pop-up Books
The History OF
Pop-up Books
Contents Anatomical
Flip-The-Flap Removable Pull The Tab 1900’s Pop-up Modern Pop-up A Journey Through Pop-up Books
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A Journey Through Pop-up Books
Anatomical Pop-up books were not used recreationally until the late 1700’s. Prior to this, the “pop-up” form of books were used in an anatomical sense. These particular books were first created in the 11th century. Even though these books were later created for children, their use to mimic human dissection was an important tool for those studying medicine between the 11th and 18th centuries. After Henry Gray’s landmark medical textbook was released, these pop-up books were still used to increase understanding during lessons. The pop-up learning form was not solely used by anatomists, but also include “mechanical books” about astronomy, geometry, theology, and technology.
LIFT
LIFT
LIFT
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A Journey Through Pop-up Books
Flip-The-Flap Robert Sayer shifted the world of pop-up books from a lesson based thought process to both “child friendly” and “adults only” books. The more child friendly books were created to trasform the story as it was being read. The image would be unfolded changing one object into something new. The adult books, however, are on the more humerous and risque in form. This particular choice is on the more ribald side of flip-the-flap books. You can flip the flap and reveal the person’s unmentionables beneath. While most would think of women being the common portrayal in these types of books, the table has been turned to the male figure instead.
FLIP
FLIP
Victoria and Albert Museum
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A Journey Through Pop-up Books
Removable By the early 19th century a series called “The History of Little Fanny” was published for the general public. This was the first paper doll book to be made. These dolls were used to make the book more interactive with the young reader of the time. The Little Fanny stories allowed the reader to remove the paper doll and her template clothing to interchange them as they saw fit. As with the flip-the-flap books these removable doll books were also made for adults. These more adult books were called “peepshows.” Dean & Sons were the fisrt to create such books in a three dimentional illustrative manner in the 1850’s
Duplex Corsets, circa 1886. Courtesy Linda Ocasio
REMOVE
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A Journey Through Pop-up Books
Pull The Tab As the use of pop-up books became more popular, the production of children’s books also increased. Movement was incorporated in a diffrent manner with the pull of a tab. Once flat figures and drawings, sprint to life with the pull of a tab. This simple, yet intricate movement was used to portray humor, history, fiction, and many other topics. This was only the beginning of the movable book movement.
Collection of Larry Seidman
PULL A Journey Through Pop-up Books
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A Journey Through Pop-up Books
1900’s Pop-up Images courtesy of David Brass Rare Books
By the end of the 1900’s moveable books became very popular and mass produced. These books were the way that families were brought together during this era. This was considered the “Golden Age” of movable books. While these books were thriving and in their prime during the 1800’s and 1900’s, the onset of World War I brought an end to the making of movable books for nearly 50 years. The demand for the use of supplies for the war resulted in a shortage of supplies needed for movable books.
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A Journey Through Pop-up Books
Modern Pop-up The pop-up books that we expierence today are leaps and bounds from where they started. An immense amount of detail pours through every piece. The countless hours that were spent creating these beautiful works of art allow the reader to not only be mentally but, physically absorbed into the story.
Photo via BoxLunch
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A Journey Through Pop-up Books By: Crystal Bowers