Dean’s New Scenic Books – No 3. Cinderella – Rare French version circa: 1860’s
First French edition*, 8 hand-colored lithographed “pop up – pull up” plates
Title: Cendrillon, ou, La petite pantoufle de verre.
Published/Created: Paris: Magnin et fils, 3 rue Honoré-Chevalier, [ca. 1860’s]
General: 8 leaves with pop-ups: col. ill. ; 25 cm.
Dimensions: 10 x 6 7/8 x 5/16 in. (25.4 x 17.5 x 0.8 cm)
8 hand-colored lithographed plates each comprising 3 layer stand up scenes operated by silk ribbons. Dean’s New Scenic series were the first movable “pop-up” style books by Dean & Son. Dean & Son distributed the new Scenic Series in France using two French publishers that we are aware of, Guérin-Muller and Magnin et fils. There were four titles in the series, Aladdin, Robinson Crusoe, Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood.
Near Fine condition. All 8 “pop-ups” are complete and working. Of the 24 layers (there are three per page) the small foreground layers - which is one of the 3 on that page is a near perfect replica restoration. See the foreground pots on scene 1. Ribbons are all original and working – a couple have been reinforced and one repaired with a tiny piece of period appropriate matching ribbon – see photo. Cover bright and clean. Original cloth spine in excellent shape - still well bound with original sewing. Pages two and eight have been reinforced at the seams.
The Magnin et fils edition predates a later edition of this book published in France by Guérin-Muller. A quick search of google books shows that Magnin & Fils were operating at this address since at least since 1866.
This rare first French edition of Cinderella (Cendrillon, ou, La petite pantoufle de verre) from Dean & Son’s Scenic Books series, circa 1860, is a collector's gem. Published by Magnin et fils in Paris, this edition features 8 hand-colored lithographed plates with 3-layer pop-up scenes operated by silk ribbons. As part of Dean & Son’s groundbreaking pop-up series, this book stands as an important piece of movable book history. The craftsmanship is remarkable, with near-perfect restoration of the pop-up foreground layers and original ribbons still intact.
For a detailed history see Haining, Movable Books., page 30.