FIRST EDITION OF DISNEY'S "POP-UP" SILLY SYMPHONIES

DISNEY STUDIOS. The "Pop-up" Silly Symphonies, Containing Babes In the Woods and King Neptune. New York: Blue Ribbon Books, (1933). Quarto, original pictorial boards, original pictorial endpapers, original dust jacket. $1650.

First edition, illustrated with in-text line drawings and plates and four double-page full-color pop-ups, in scarce original dust jacket.

"As the Depression years deepened, American book publishers sought ways to rekindle book buying… Blue Ribbon Publishing of New York found a combination that proved successful. They animated Walt Disney characters and fairy tales with pop ups," becoming "the first publisher to use the term… to describe movable illustrations" (Montanaro, xix). This book is based on two of Disney's animated musical shorts from 1932: "While the character-based 'Mickey Mouse' films used music as an accompaniment to the action, the 'Silly Symphonies' created stories through the use of music" (ANB). "These pop-up books had the dual appeal of a book and a toy and became quite popular. Because of their unusual pop-up feature, they have become favorites among collectors" (Munsey, 164). Tiny bookseller ticket.

Book with pop-ups intact and fine, only a few smudges to interior. Scarce dust jacket with minor soiling and light wear and toning to extremities. A nearly fine copy.