FAO Schwarz
FAO Schwarz Holiday Collection – A Pop-Up Treasury (Pop-Up Book)
Van Der Meer, Ron (paper engineer)
New York: FAO Schwarz, 1997. First edition. First printing. Limited edition.
Square quarto (11 x 11 inches), hardcover in illustrated boards. One large carousel pop-up and six gold-stringed removable ornaments, each based on historic FAO Schwarz holiday catalog covers. Also includes the original six-page color booklet reproducing the 1920 FAO Christmas catalog cover, tucked into a slot on the inside front cover. Issued without dust jacket.
This exclusive holiday pop-up book was designed by celebrated paper engineer Ron Van Der Meer for FAO Schwarz as the inaugural volume in what was intended to be an annual series of collectible holiday keepsakes. Produced in limited quantities, the book is now scarce, especially in fine condition with all original components present and unused. The centerpiece is an 8-inch-tall carousel pop-up surrounded by six removable ornaments inspired by the covers of FAO’s 1920, 1929, 1939, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, and 1948 Christmas catalogs. Notably, the 1920, 1929, and 1939 covers were later adapted into collectible glass ornaments by Christopher Radko.
Condition: Fine. Book has never been used or displayed. All original ornaments remain attached and pristine. The included booklet is present and untouched. Purchased in New York upon release by vintagepopupbooks.com and stored unopened since 1997. A superb copy.
Collector’s Corner:
Ron Van Der Meer (b. 1945) is internationally recognized for his architectural and innovative pop-up designs, often merging interactivity with graphic and historical themes. This FAO Schwarz Holiday Treasury is a standout example of late 20th-century collectible publishing—celebrating both the history of American holiday retail culture and the enduring magic of paper engineering. While intended as the first in a series, no additional volumes appear to have been issued, making this 1997 edition both the inaugural and final release. Complete, unused examples—especially with the ornaments and booklet intact—are increasingly uncommon in the secondary market.