Cendrillon, ou, La petite pantoufle de verre – Rare French Edition of Dean’s New Scenic Books No. 3 (ca. 1860s)
Paris: Magnin et fils, 3 rue Honoré-Chevalier, [circa 1860s].
25.4 × 17.5 × 0.8 cm (10 × 6 7/8 × 5/16 inches).
First French edition. Hand-colored lithographed book featuring 8 stand-up movable scenes (Dean’s “pop-up” style). Each of the 8 scenes is constructed of 3-layer chromolithographic tableaux operated by silk ribbons.
Issued in the series Dean’s New Scenic Books, this French-language edition of Cinderella was published by Magnin et fils in Paris. Dean & Son of London originally developed the series, and it was distributed in France by at least two known publishers—Magnin et fils and later Guérin-Muller. The series included four titles: Aladdin, Robinson Crusoe, Little Red Riding Hood, and Cinderella (Cendrillon).
Condition: Near fine. All eight pop-up tableaux complete and functioning. Of the 24 total layers (three per page), only the small foreground layers have been expertly and accurately restored; see scene 1 with replacement foreground pots. All ribbons original and functional; two have been reinforced and one repaired using period-appropriate ribbon—see photos. Covers bright and clean. Original red cloth spine firm, with original sewing intact. Seams at pages two and eight reinforced.
This edition by Magnin et fils predates the later Guérin-Muller version and is exceedingly rare. Contemporary bibliographic records confirm Magnin et fils were operating at this address by at least 1866.
References:
Haining, Peter. Movable Books: An Illustrated History. London: New English Library, 1979, p. 30.