De Familie Vierkant – Poppetjes van Papier (The Square Family Paper Figures)

Hans van Houten
Amsterdam: Scheltens and Giltay, 1914
Oblong format (33 x 43 cm), softcover, stapled as issued

A charming and rare Dutch cut-out book designed by illustrator Hans van Houten, De Familie Vierkant features six uncut paper figures: Mr. Vierkant, Mrs. Vierkant, Little Vierkant and his dog, Major Parmantig, Dorus the keeper, and Kobus Zwartneus, the chimney sweep. Each figure is printed on heavy paper and was designed to be cut out, folded, and assembled into articulated characters.

This early interactive children’s book includes detailed assembly instructions printed in Dutch on the first page. A translated summary explains that each sheet is to be removed by bending back the staples, and the figures cut along the outer lines. Dotted lines are to be scored for folding, and pieces are joined using matching letters and numbers across figures. String is threaded through small holes to create movable limbs, and the assembled characters can be opened to function as small boxes for surprises or display.

Publication Details:
Published in 1914 by Scheltens and Giltay, Amsterdam. The title is listed in the Brinkman Catalogus van boeken 1911–1915, page 169, confirming the date. It was also advertised in the Leidsch Dagblad newspaper on November 19, 1914, as “NIEUW – 2 Series at 60 cts.” The note “2016” written on the cover is an unrelated later addition.

Condition:
Good. All six cut-out figures are uncut, complete, and in excellent condition. Some edge chipping to the paper. The original stapled binding is partially intact with only the middle staple still holding the booklet securely. Please see photographs.

Collector’s Corner:
De Familie Vierkant is a scarce survival from the Dutch golden age of children’s publishing. While movable and cut-out books from Germany, France, and England have been widely documented and collected, Dutch contributions remain underrepresented in the international market. This title, combining elements of craft, play, and humor, reflects both cultural specificity and creative ingenuity.

The publisher, Scheltens and Giltay, was active in the early 20th century and known for producing quality juvenile books, often featuring strong design and imaginative formats. The clever dual function of the assembled characters—as articulated paper dolls and as tiny storage boxes—sets this book apart as both a toy and a memory object. Very few examples survive uncut and intact.