How Columbus Discovered America

VOITECH KUBASTA

Publication: Bancroft & Co, Publishers, Ltd, n d (ca 1960), London

First edition. 4to. Near fine with the pop-up in perfect working order. Manufactured in Czechoslovakia under the direction of Kubasta, one of the greatest of 20th-century artists of the moveable book [nowadays known as "paper engineers"], this is one of his most impressive creations. The book is actually a large (9"x13") cloth-hinged cardboard folder, resembling a game board in construction, illus. front and back with Kubasta's colorful portrait of a one of Columbus's sailing ships. At the front hinge an 8pp. b&w story, "How Columbus Discovered America," is carefully tipped-in. What at first appears to be the inside back cover, with two more colorful Kubasta paintings, opens out to form the 18"x12" base for an 11" high, densely packed, 3-dimensional pop-up of the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, complete with string attached to the sails. One closed tear to waves at front of ship scene. Someone has repaired tear with celophane tape (now yellowed). On the rear cover is a moveable ship's wheel, which when turned reveals portions of a map. In design, construction & illus., this is one of the most impressive pop-ups since Meggendorffer. We feel items like this are scarce and uncommon.

Inventory Number: 38349