Kubasta, Vojtech. Cesky Betlem. [Czechoslovakia: Grafiatisk, 1991.] First edition. Pop-up nativity sheet. Printed in Czechoslovakia. Language: Czech.
Original 1991 edition of Kubasta’s Cesky Betlem, a rare Christmas tableau featuring a traditional Czech nativity scene. The sheet-based design unfolds into a detailed creche display and includes all original parts. The banner reads, in Czech, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth Peace, Good Will Toward Men."
Condition: Fine. Excellent original condition with no tears. All parts intact and unaltered.
Collector’s Corner: Cesky Betlem is one of the harder-to-find later nativities produced by Kubasta. This 1991 version was printed by Grafiatisk, A.S., in Czechoslovakia. It is part of the extended group of Kubasta’s nativity works, which span from magazine inserts in the early 1950s to elaborate standalone paper-engineered scenes.
For a complete survey of Kubasta’s Christmas creations, see Theo Gielen's article in Movable Stationary, Vol. 21, No. 4 (November 13). Additional background is provided in Pop-ups, Illustrated Books, and Graphic Designs of Czech Artist and Paper Engineer, Vojtech Kubasta (1914–1992) by James A. Findlay and Ellen G. K. Rubin.
Known Kubasta nativity formats:
Pojdte s nami do Betlema ("Come with Us to Bethlehem") – 1952
Lidovy Betlem ("People's Creche") – 1953; reprinted 1967, 1991
Moravske Jeslicky ("Moravian Crib") – 1954
Lidove Jeslicky ("People's Nativity") – 1967, 1968; possible 1991 reprint
Vanocni Betlem ("Christmas Nativity") – 1968; reprints in 1990, 1990s, 2011
Prazsky Betlem ("Prague Nativity") – 1968, 1969; 1991 panorama reissue
Loretansky Betlem ("Loreto Nativity") – 1972
Cesky Betlem ("Czech Nativity") – 1991