"KING ARTHUR DUBBED THE BRAVE LITTLE TROUBADOUR 'SIR MICHAEL": FROM THE FIRST AMERICAN SERIES OF POP-UP BOOKS

DISNEY STUDIOS. Mickey Mouse in King Arthur's Court. New York: Blue Ribbon, (1933). Quarto, original pictorial paper boards, original dust jacket. Housed in a custom clamshell box. $2800.

First edition of an early American pop-up book, published by Blue Ribbon Pleasure Books, the original patent-holder for pop-ups, with four pop-ups, in scarce original dust jacket.

Blue Ribbon was the first publisher to market its books using the term "pop-up." They and paper-engineer Harold Lentz teamed up in the 1930s to produce a successful series of imaginative pop-ups, many inspired by the current popularity of Walt Disney animation. These are the first modern pop-up books produced in America, following a series of British pop-ups by Brown and Giraud in the 1930s under the imprint Bookano. Contemporary owner gift inscription.

Book with only a couple spots of marginal soiling, Mickey's joust expertly reattached to background in tournament pop-up, binding fresh and lovely. Bright dust jacket with a few tiny repairs to verso, minimal soiling, and only light wear to extremities. A handsome near-fine copy.