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| Dean & Son Publishers pioneered the first movables or 3-dimensional books for children in the mid-1800's in London. They created over 60 titles, which ranged from simple books with die-cut holes to what could be considered "pop-ups," although that term would not be used until the 1930's.
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One of their most remarkable series contained scenes that could be stood up by pulling or lifting up a ribbon. The series is thought to have included four titles: Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Robinson Crusoe and Aladdin.
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The first three titles are in many collections but Aladdin has been one of the most difficult to find. In fact, no images of the interior pop-ups have ever been published before.
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| Given the location of Dean & Son's publishing house as shown on the cover of the book, 11 Ludgate Hill, it is possible that Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp is the FIRST book in this series, circa 1860.
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Unlike the other books in the series, the image is already visible when the page is turned. By pulling on the simple string, which is hand knotted, the scene stands up.
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This seems to be Dean & Sons first attempt at 3-dimensional scenes, since having the scene already visible flat when the page is turned, the "surprise" effect is minimal. In the other books the scene is laying face down. Only when you life the ribbon, is the "surprise" of the scene revealed.
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| The printing is of very high quality and includes a second printed color of gold for highlights. All of the other colors in the book are hand painted on using vibrant watercolors.
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Although the tale of Aladdin and his lamp is based in Arabian folklore, Dean & Son's version has it visual basis derived more from the Far East, with many references to China.
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In the final scene, Aladdin is triumphant and in an unusual representation for a pop-up, two events happen on the same page. The evil magician is vanquished at the top of the scene and Aladdin becomes a king inside the large oval at bottom.
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