The ABC Surprises (Movable Book, ca. 1895–1904)
Boston: Lothrop Publishing Company, [n.d., ca. 1895–1904].
Oblong 8vo (approx. 7 x 9 in). Original chromolithographed boards. 12 pages with 6 double-fold lift-the-flap surprises.
An engaging turn-of-the-century American movable book issued by the Lothrop Publishing Company, The ABC Surprises belongs to a short series of similarly formatted interactive titles, including Pleasant Surprises. Each page features a folding element that transforms the illustration and reveals a surprise scene, corresponding to the alphabet.
Condition: Very Good. All movable pages complete and functioning. Some minor edgewear to boards; no markings or inscriptions. Binding remains tight, and boards retain vibrant color. See photos for details.
Collector’s Corner:
Daniel Lothrop founded the Lothrop publishing firm in 1868. After his death in 1892, his wife Harriet Lothrop (known as “Pansy”) briefly continued operations until the firm was sold in 1895. From 1895 to 1904, the company operated as the Lothrop Publishing Company—an important detail for dating undated titles such as this. The firm went bankrupt in 1904.
Though no title page is present (as issued), this copy has been confidently dated to the 1895–1904 window based on publisher imprint. Only two titles in this mechanical series are currently known: The ABC Surprises and Pleasant Surprises.