Moving Animals: A Novel Book for Children (Movable Book)
Nister & Co. Ltd., London; E. P. Dutton (Firm), New York, [n.d., ca. 1917]. Printed in Bavaria.
Text by Sheila E. Braine. Illustrated by G. H. Thompson.
Oblong 4to (7 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches; 186 x 260 mm). [16] pp. Pictorial paper-covered boards. Unpaginated. No dust jacket as issued.
Movable Mechanism:
Six mechanical transformation illustrations utilizing Nister's patented "horizontal blinds" system, an unusual variation on the traditional vertical format. Each chromolithographed scene depicts caged zoo animals brought to life by pull-tab movement, producing animated effects such as mouths opening, trunks lifting, and playful gestures. In addition to the six full-color movables, the book includes whimsical black-and-white line drawings accompanying amusing rhyming verses.
Movable Scenes Include:
A crocodile lunging forward with snapping jaws.
A pair of pelicans opening their beaks wide.
An elephant stretching its trunk to grab a bag of food.
Two parrots engaged in a lively squabble.
A hippopotamus devouring an umbrella.
Mischievous monkeys popping a jack-in-the-box.
Condition: Very Good. All six moving parts are complete, original, and fully functional. No repairs to the movable mechanisms. Boards are bright and beautiful. Binding secure. Please see photos. An excellent copy of one of Nister's most unusual and hard to find movable titles.
No institutional holdings are recorded in WorldCat or major library catalogs, underscoring the rarity of this title in both public collections and the antiquarian book trade. A digitized copy is held by the University of Florida Digital Collections
Collector’s Corner:
Originally advertised for the 1917 holiday season, Moving Animals was hailed in publisher circulars as a mechanical book "likely to be very popular," praising the ingenuity of its design and the delightful nature of its animal antics. Notably, the transformation illustrations employ Nister's blinds mechanism in a horizontal layout—a format seldom seen among his many movable titles.
Illustrator G. H. Thompson brings energy and personality to the animals, while Sheila E. Braine's humorous verses complement the animated zoo scenes.
Produced during the waning years of Nister's movable book output, Moving Animals exemplifies the firm's blend of mechanical innovation and engaging content. The volume remains a favorite among collectors due to its rare structure, playful storytelling, and well-preserved action scenes.
References
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Haining, Peter. Movable Books: An Illustrated History. London: New English Library, 1979.
— Offers a historical overview of movable and pop-up books, including Ernest Nister’s role in popularizing mechanical children's books in the late 19th century.
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Hunt, Julia. Peeps into Nisterland: A Guide to the Children’s Books of Ernest Nister. Surrey: Casmelda Publishing, 2006. ISBN 9780955216800.
— A collector’s guide documenting titles published by Ernest Nister, including detailed bibliographic entries and publication history.