Les Canetons Intelligents (Pop-Up Book) – Illustrated by Vojtech Kubasta
Paris: Les Éditions Mondiales, [1967]. An Artia production. Printed in Czechoslovakia.
Folio (approx. 10.25 x 7.25 inches; 26 x 18.5 cm). Accordion-folded construction from a single sheet of light card, forming 12 pages with 6 full-color three-dimensional scenes, including one with a movable paddle wheel.
Condition: Very Good. All pop-ups complete and in excellent original working order. The spine is solid though slightly cocked, and the boards show light edgewear. One pop-up page has an old tape stain (not affecting the movable element). The binding remains sound. See photos.
Description:
This scarce French-language Kubasta title—translated as The Smart Ducklings—was likely produced exclusively for the French market and is unrecorded in several major institutional collections. The book’s unique format differs from most Kubasta titles: the entire construction is an accordion-folded strip, with scenes die-cut and lifted directly from the surface, allowing for maximum three-dimensional impact.
The charming narrative begins with a mother hen reading to four little birds—three ducklings and one chick. As the story unfolds, the chick discovers its differences from its duckling siblings, most notably its inability to swim. Determined to join them, the chick embarks on a series of adventures to reach the water, culminating in a daring airborne rescue by a duck in an airplane. The story concludes with a heartwarming reunion as the chick rides happily atop a mother duck while the ducklings swim beside her.
Kubasta’s printed signature appears twice within the book.
Collector’s Corner:
Vojtech Kubasta (1914–1992) was a pioneer of mid-20th century pop-up design, and his French-language works are especially sought after. This title, employing a distinct folding technique not found in other Kubasta productions, remains one of the most elusive and inventive of his catalog.
References:
OCLC Number: Not listed; not recorded in Bienes Museum of the Modern Book collection holdings.
General information on Kubasta’s Artia productions: Bienes Museum of the Modern Book, Vojtěch Kubašta Collection.
Artia production practices and bibliography overview: Gielen, Marian K. Pop-Ups en Beweging: Vojtěch Kubašta en andere Tsjechische Papieren Speelboeken. Den Haag: Gemeentemuseum, 2006.
Kubasta bibliographic context and international editions: Montanaro, Ann. Pop-Up and Movable Books: A Bibliography. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1993.
All books are returnable within 10 days of receipt if not delighted for any reason.