Ferienzeit Auf Dem Lande – (Pop-Up Book) – German Edition of Dean & Son’s “We Visit the Farm”
Title: Ferienzeit Auf Dem Lande
Publisher: Verlag von Carl Hirsch. Konstanz (Deutschland) — Emmishofen (Schweiz).
Date: Circa 1899 (based on research)
Format: Staple-bound softcover
Size: 10 x 6 7/8 x 5/16 in. (25.4 x 17.5 x 0.8 cm)
Pages: 10
Description:
Ferienzeit Auf Dem Lande is the rare German edition of On the Farm, part of Dean & Son's 1899 Scenic Series. This charming pop-up book features a vividly illustrated, four-layer die-cut scene set in the center spread, depicting a bustling countryside full of cows, ducks, chickens, pigs, and daily farm activities.
Circa:
Although undated, references from the Vierteljahrs-Katalog der Neuigkeiten des Deutschen Buchhandels (1900) and Kayser’s Books Encyclopedia (1903) place its publication around 1899.
Condition:
Overall fine. The central pop-up scene is in immaculate condition, with no writing, tears, or missing pieces. Binding is sound with only minor wear. A previous owner's name appears in pencil on the front cover, and there is typical age-related browning on the back.
Collector’s Corner:
This exceptionally rare German pop-up book appears in only two known bibliographic sources: a 1900 issue of the Vierteljahrs-Katalog der Neuigkeiten des Deutschen Buchhandels and the 1903 edition of Kayser’s Books Encyclopedia. We have found no record of it elsewhere in institutional holdings or on the market today.
Published by Verlag von Carl Hirsch—operating out of both Konstanz, Germany, and Emmishofen, Switzerland—the book bears no printed publication date. However, both period references confirm a publication date around 1899. Each listing notes that the title includes “four colored illustrations for display,” almost certainly describing the intricately layered central pop-up scene..
Page 808 in the Vierteljahrs-Katalog der Neuigkeiten des Deutschen Buchhandels (J.C. Hinrichs Verlag, 1900) refers to this title in a listing that reviews books published in that quarter. The entry reads:
“Ferienzeit auf dem Lande, gr. 4°. (9 S. m. z. Tl. färb. Abbildgn. u. 4 ausgestanzten Bildern zum Aufstellen.) Konstanz, C. Hirsch.”
This translates approximately to: “Holiday Time in the Country, large quarto. (9 pages with partial color illustrations and 4 punched-out images for setting up.) Published in Konstanz by C. Hirsch.”
The four “ausgestanzten Bildern zum Aufstellen” are clearly the four-layered pop-up centerpiece included in the book.
A second reference appears in Christian Gottlob Kayser’s Buch-Handelslexikon (Books Encyclopedia), printed in 1903. This comprehensive bibliographic work, which catalogs all books published from 1750 through 1902 in Germany and neighboring countries, lists the title on page 201 as follows:
“Ferienzeit auf dem Lande. 4. (9 S. m. Abb. u. 4 ausgestanzten Buntbildern.) Konstanz 1900. C. Hirsch.”
This translates to: “Holiday Time in the Country. 4to. (9 pages with illustrations and 4 punched-out colored pictures.) Published in Konstanz, 1900, by C. Hirsch.”
We interpret the reference to "4 ausgestanzten Buntbildern" (4 punched-out colored pictures) as describing the four-layer pop-up tableau at the center of the book
A wonderful opportunity to own an exceedingly rare antique pop-up book in fine condition.
English Edition:
See other listings on our website for #4 of this series. Our copy of Cinderella is in English and marked “Dean & Son, Limited" Fleet Street.
Only the first one (this one in English), Visit To The Farm, is listed in
Montanaro but research finds
that there were 4 books published in this series*:
#1 Visit To the Farm
#2 Red riding Hood
#3 Three Bears
#4 Cinderella
*The Publishers' Circular and Booksellers' Record of British and Foreign Literature, Volume 73 - 1900 - page 423
We also have a Dutch title in this series: Red Riding Hood — Dean’s Scenic Series No. 2, Dutch Edition, 1890s Pop-Up Book.
Rood-Kapje – Dean’s Scenic Series No. 2 (Dutch Edition, ca. 1899).
Amsterdam: J. Vlieger, [n.d., circa 1899].
https://www.vintagepopupbooks.com/Dean-Son-Dean-s-Scenic-Series-No-2-Dutch-p/d-21.htm
There is a Dutch copy of Cinderella ( Asschepoester) which resides at the Bruikleen van het Letterkundig Museum in the Netherlands. Refernce to it was found in the catalog of the firm J. Vlieger in Amsterdam (circa 1907), this book was described as follows: "in the middle of four large plates, said bristles at the opening of the book and in this way form a great effect panoramas." " The history of Asschepoester or the glass slipper Lithographs: Amand. Lith"
Asschepoester. Amst., J. Vlieger, n.d. (±1907), (6) textp., 3 col. lithogr. plates (1x double-p. pop-up), textills., orig. col. lithogr. wr., 4to. -
From the collection of vintagepopupbooks.com
About the Publisher
Verlag von Carl Hirsch was originally founded in Winterthur, Switzerland, on January 1, 1892, with a focus on Christian literature and art. On May 1, 1899, the firm expanded its operations by opening a branch in Konstanz, Germany. During this period, it broadened its offerings to include children’s and youth literature, illustrated books, and educational material. In 1933, Carl Hirsch Verlag merged with the Christliche Verlagsanstalt, continuing its commitment to publishing Christian-themed works. (Source: Wikipedia)
Additional context on the publishing landscape during this era can be found in Book and Art Catalogue, Volume 16, Issue 4, Part 2, p. 379 (Russell, 1881).
Refernces:
According to The Publishers' Circular and Booksellers' Record (Vol. 73, 1900, p. 423), Dean’s “Scenic Surprise Series” comprised only four titles: Visit to the Farm; Red Riding Hood; Three Bears; and Cinderella.