Kubasta, V. (illustrator).
A Christmas Tale (Pop-Up Book).
London: Bancroft & Co. (printed in Prague by Artia), [1960]. First edition. Tall quarto (33 cm). [8] pp. Pictorial stiff card covers.
One of Vojtech Kubasta’s earliest and most beloved Panascopic Model Books, A Christmas Tale presents the Nativity in both narrative and three-dimensional form. The story is printed in English across eight illustrated pages, culminating in a dramatic double-page pop-up affixed to the rear board. The final scene depicts the Holy Family within a freestanding manger structure, complete with original cellophane window panes. The setting is framed by an arched architectural background, featuring palm trees, golden spires, the Star of Bethlehem, and a radiant Angel Gabriel suspended overhead. The reverse of the pop-up is also color-illustrated, adding visual depth when viewed from behind. Issued by Bancroft in London and printed by Artia in Prague.
Condition: Very Fine. A remarkably well-preserved example. Covers, interior pages, and pop-up all retain their original integrity with no signs of repair, toning, or creasing. Pop-up mechanism functions smoothly and all original structural elements—including the delicate cellophane windows—are intact.
Collector’s Corner:
This early Christmas title exemplifies the innovation of Czech paper engineer Vojtech Kubasta (1914–1992), whose Panascopic Model Books brought storytelling to life through richly illustrated fold-out tableaux. A Christmas Tale was among the first of Kubasta’s religious-themed pop-up books to be distributed in English-speaking markets, and it remains a favorite among collectors for its iconic nativity scene.