HALE, Kathleen (author and illustrator) Puss In Boots. London; Folding Books Ltd. [1951]

Small square 8vo. (142 x 172mm); publisher’s navy blue cloth-backed pictorial boards designed in colours by Kathleen Hale, with original ribbon ties to fore-edges; pp. [8] including covers; opening to reveal 6 fine dioramas by Kathleen Hale printed in colours relating the fairy tale with theatrical displays in three dimensional form, with printed text below; a very good, sound, and attractive copy with ties firmly attached and serviceable, with some shelf-wear to board edges and mild abrasion to forecorners, just exposing board; internally crisp with all scenes in excellent condition, just a minor crease to a proscenium arch; scarce.

First edition of this wonderful carousel or “lantern book” designed to be displayed unfurled, and tied at the fore-edge, as a three-dimensional object or even hung as a mobile.  One of only two in this patented series to be illustrated by Kathleen Hale, the other being “Orlando’s Country Peepshow” (Folding Books Ltd., 1950).