Theater-Bilderbuch thumbnail 1
Theater-Bilderbuch thumbnail 2
+9
images

Theater-Bilderbuch

Pop-Up Book
ca. 1885 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Toy theatres were popular all over Europe during the second half of the 19th century. They could either be bought, or made and added to at home. The toy theatre was a favourite family activity. This German publication is unusual because it is a book that has four toy theatre scenes in it. Each scene also has a page of dialogue to go with it. One scene shows Christmas Eve in a typical German house. Like the other scenes, it is set on a stage with a youthful orchestra in front. Its three-dimensional effect is particularly good.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Theater-Bilderbuch (manufacturer's title)
  • Theatre Picture Book (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Colour lithographs on card and paper
Brief description
Printed book with four theatre scenes published in Germany in about 1885
Physical description
A book containing four pop-up toy theatre scenes - Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Adoration of the Magi and Christmas Eve - each consisting of five cut-out sheets and a backcloth mounted one behind the other to give the illusion of perspective. Each scene is accompanied by a piece of play dialogue printed in German.
Dimensions
  • Closed height: 33.6cm
  • Closed width: 26.5cm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Theater-Bilderbuch' (Title printed on the front cover )
    Translation
    Theatre picture book
  • 'Verlag von J.F. Schreiber in Eßlingen bei Stuttgart' (Lettered on front cover with title )
    Translation
    'Published by J.F. Schreiber in Esslingen near Stuttgart'
  • 'Darling Dorothy, a Birthday Gift. May 7th/89 [illegible word] / With Grandmama's Love and Kisses' (Inscribed in ink on the front cover)
Object history
Originally acquired by the National Art Library in 1945 (accessioned as L.389 on 20/05/1945) and transferred to the V&A's Prints and Drawings Department in 1951. Later transferred to the Bethnal Green Museum (aka V&A Museum of Childhood, Young V&A)
Subjects depicted
Literary references
  • Little Red Riding Hood
  • Hansel and Gretel
Summary
Toy theatres were popular all over Europe during the second half of the 19th century. They could either be bought, or made and added to at home. The toy theatre was a favourite family activity. This German publication is unusual because it is a book that has four toy theatre scenes in it. Each scene also has a page of dialogue to go with it. One scene shows Christmas Eve in a typical German house. Like the other scenes, it is set on a stage with a youthful orchestra in front. Its three-dimensional effect is particularly good.
Other number
L.389-1945 - Previous National Art Library accession number
Collection
Accession number
E.74-1951

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMarch 5, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest