SOLD 1880's Theatrical Picture Pop-up "Poor Robinson", by G. Loewensohn Fuerth

Poor Robinson (Movable Theater Book) – Rare English Edition – circa 1883

No publisher stated, but attributed to Gustav Loewensohn of Fürth, Germany
Approx. 12 x 10 inches (30 x 26 cm)
Condition: Very Good

A rare surviving example of a four-layer diorama scene titled Poor Robinson, based on Robinson Crusoe, and issued in the 1880s as part of a now nearly unobtainable theatrical picture book. When the attached red ribbon is pulled, a scenic theater unfolds in dimensional perspective—complete with three cut-out layers and a backdrop. Blue paper tabs remain intact, with only one front tab needing re-gluing (see photos). Original board covers show light corner and surface wear. The plate includes a corresponding rhymed caption at the bottom. Overall, the piece presents beautifully.

This is the English-language edition of the renowned theatrical pop-up series sometimes titled Theatrical Picture Book, attributed to Gustav Loewensohn, a German printer active in Fürth, near Nuremberg. The company is known for producing movable books and also printing editions for firms such as Raphael Tuck.

Collector's Corner

The English editions, issued around 1883, were often exported and lack printed publication data. They are noted in both Russell’s Bibliography, 1881 Vol. 4 and 1894 Vol. 16, as theater picture books attributed to Löwensohn.

Summary of Renowned Movable Book Researcher Theo Gielen’s Findings on Poor Robinson

In response to an inquiry by movable book historian Ann Montanaro, the late Theo Gielen—an esteemed researcher in the field of interactive and movable books—provided a definitive account of the origins and structure of Poor Robinson. His findings were published in Movable Stationery, Vol. 15, No. 3 (August 2007).

Gielen identified Poor Robinson as one of four theatrical diorama scenes originally published circa 1883 under the collective title Theatrical Picture Book. Though the English versions carry no imprint, he attributed the printing to Gustav Löwensohn of Fürth, Germany, a firm known for its chromolithographic production of movable books and its collaborations with publishers like Raphael Tuck.

The four known scenes in the series are:

1. Poor Robinson (Robinson Crusoe)

2. A Rare Cat (Puss in Boots)

3. Too Much Talking is Hurtful (Little Red Riding Hood)

4. Awake, Sleeping Beauty

Each scene was designed as a layered pop-up diorama within a toy theater frame, composed of three die-cut foreground layers plus a scenic backdrop and a corresponding verse at the base.

According to Gielen, the scenes were issued in two primary formats:

1. As a single concertina-style book binding, with all four dioramas presented side-by-side when unfolded
2. Separately, as individually sold card-covered double spreads—a format likely intended to broaden commercial appeal and maximize profits.

Gielen confirmed the publication date as 1883 and emphasized the multilingual nature of the series. The same theatrical scenes appeared in German (Theater-Bilderbuch), French (Grand théâtre en Actions, published by A. Capendu of Paris), and in anonymous English editions. In the French version, Capendu even reused the printed book cover board on the reverse of one of the individual scenes.

Gielen’s scholarship remains the most comprehensive documentation of this series and resolved longstanding bibliographic uncertainty. He clarified that individually published scenes like the English Poor Robinson—which had previously confounded collectors—were indeed part of a larger coordinated series, and are now considered exceedingly rare.

A related listing from rare book dealer David Brass describes the French edition (Grand théâtre en Actions, A. Capendu, 1884) as a similar peepshow-style concertina book featuring the same four scenes. That edition is held in only three institutional collections worldwide (Princeton, Penn State, and McGill).

Note: we have the full set of 4 Separate French titles available here:
https://www.vintagepopupbooks.com/Theater-Bilderbuch-by-Loewensohn-and-Capendu-p/l-02.htm

The German-language titles in the Theater-Bilderbuch series are:

1. Der arme Robinson – Robinson Crusoe

2. Der gestiefelte Kater – Puss in Boots

3. Rothkäppchen – Little Red Riding Hood

4. Dornröschen – Sleeping Beauty

The four French titles in the Grand théâtre en Actions series published by A. Capendu are:

1. Pauvre Robinson – Robinson Crusoe

2. Un chat comme on en voit peu – Puss in Boots

3. Trop parler nuit – Little Red Riding Hood

4. Réveillez-vous, belle endormie – Sleeping Beauty
   
   Note: we have the full set of 4 Separate French titles available here:
   https://www.vintagepopupbooks.com/Theater-Bilderbuch-by-Loewensohn-and-Capendu-p/l-02.htm

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