Robinson Crusoe – Agatha’s Pantomime Prentenboeken No. 2
Agatha (Reinoudina de Goeje)
Amsterdam: Jacs. G. Robbers, 1893
Size: 12 x 9 inches (31 x 24 cm) | 2 x [7] pages | Mounted on linen | Chromolithographed covers by L. van Leer & Co., Haarlem
This highly inventive Dutch edition of Dean & Son’s Pantomime Series was adapted by Reinoudina de Goeje (1833–1893), writing under her well-known pseudonym "Agatha." The book is die-cut and shaped like a toy theatre, with dual spines connected at the rear board to allow the volume to stand upright like a stage set. Side panels fold outward to form a full triptych-style theatre, with orchestra pit below and wing flaps at the sides. The text consists of brief prose captions by Agatha, describing the scenes enacted across seven vividly colored chromolithograph plates.
Condition: Excellent. All components are present and complete, with no damage to the stage or interior plates. Slight tear to rear cover, unobtrusive. See photos for details. A remarkably well-preserved example of a fragile and visually striking theatrical-format book.
This is the Dutch-language adaptation of Dean & Son’s Pantomime Series, issued by Jacs. G. Robbers in Amsterdam and published in 1893. The illustrations were lithographed by the firm of L. van Leer & Co. in Haarlem, known for their high-quality chromolithographic printing. The format precisely mirrors Dean's original design, suggesting close collaboration or licensed reprint rather than imitation.
Collector’s Corner
This edition of Robinson Crusoe is No. 2 in the Dutch series Agatha’s Pantomime Prentenboeken, published in Amsterdam by Jacs. G. Robbers in 1893. It is a direct adaptation of Dean & Son’s English Pantomime Series, issued in the same theatrical format and translated into Dutch by Reinoudina de Goeje (1833–1893), who wrote under the pseudonym “Agatha.”
The book is die-cut with a shaped format designed to stand upright like a miniature theater. Two spines connect at the rear board, with fold-out side panels forming the stage wings. Each of the seven chromolithographed scenes is captioned in Dutch prose and mounted on linen. The lithographic printing was done by L. van Leer & Co. of Haarlem.
This title is one of four in the Dutch series:
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Asschepoetster (Cinderella)
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Robinson Crusoë
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Roodkapje (Little Red Riding Hood)
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Bella en de Beer (Beauty and the Beast)
All four were published in 1893 by Jacs. G. Robbers. These editions are direct translations of Dean & Son’s English originals, which were also published in Swedish and French. Theo Gielen discusses the Dutch versions in Movable Stationery, Vol. 7 (1999), p. 12, and notes that they follow Dean’s structure closely.
Agatha (Reinoudina de Goeje) was a known translator of children's literature from French, German, and English into Dutch. Her name appears prominently on the Dutch editions, indicating authorized translation rather than piracy.
The Dutch-language titles are confirmed in Klingberg’s bibliography (Children’s Fiction in Sweden, p. 21) and dated via Brinkman’s Catalogus van Boeken en Tijdschriften, Vol. 1 (1891).
References:
Klingberg, G. Children’s Fiction in Sweden, p. 21
Theo Gielen, Movable Stationery, Vol. 7 (1999), p. 12
Brinkman’s Catalogus van Boeken en Tijdschriften, Vol. 1 (1891), p. 11
Koninklijke Bibliotheek, Dutch edition records: https://www.kb.nl