Puss in Boots / c.1882 / 1 : Picture Book. c.1882.

"In verse. Title, imprint statement, and series transcribed from cover. Series statement appears between title and imprint statement. "Pantomime toy books. Retail 35 cents each. Five kinds. They contain five set scenes, and nine trick changes, making fourteen transformations in all, with ten pages of descriptive letter-press or story. They are elegantly printed in colors, and the transformations are the best that have ever been devised. Fancy stiff covers in colors. Royal 8vo."--description of series in McLoughlin Bros. catalogue for 1882-1883. The Pantomime toy books series was listed among "New stock for the seasons of 1882 and 1883." In center of text is a double-plate spread in the form of a stage set. Smaller flaps, illustrated on both sides and sewn to center of double plate, fold over in succession to create new scenes. Last page blank; pasted to lower cover. Cover and illustrations chromolithographed. Based on Dean & Son's pantomime toy books issued by the London publisher in 1880. The illustrations were by "Clifford Merton" (i.e., William Roger Snow, who also used the pseudonym "Richard André"). See Thomas E. Blom, The secret lives of Richard André (1990), p. 38. Illustrated series list, lower cover, designed by William Bruton; cf. drawing in Betsy Beinecke Shirley Collection, Beinecke Library, Yale University, GEN MSS 764, Oversize Box 34, Folder 536. Illustration on lower cover signed "Bruton" (i.e., W. Bruton)."

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