F. A. O. Holiday Collection 1920-1948; A Pop-up Treasury

New York: F. A. O. Schwarz, 1997. Limited Edition was designed exclusively for F. A. O. Schwarz. Hardcover. Good. Exclusively designed for F.A.O. Schwarz. Back cover has several F.A.O. Schwarz catalog covers 1920-1948. This unique nostalgic work of art serves as a keepsake of a universal moment of innocence and wonder. A large format book commemorating the original artwork on the Christmas catalogues issued by F. A. O. Schwartz between 1920 and 1948. Includes a single large center pop-up of a carousel with reindeer instead of horses, with brightly decorated presents around the base. Each package contains a small removable cardboard ornament has a gold attached string for hanging [ONE MISSING]. Ribbon tie at fore-edge. Cover has slight wear and soiling. FAO Schwarz, founded in 1862, was once the oldest toy store in the United States. The company is known for its unique high-end toys, life-sized stuffed animals, dolls, and games. The FAO Schwarz flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City was a popular tourist destination, and has gained iconic status for its floor piano and cameos in major motion pictures. The store closed in July 2015 after parent company Toys "R" Us announced it was giving up the lease nearly two years early to save money.The FAO Schwarz brand is currently the property of the descendants of the founder through the FAO Schwarz Family Foundation but is now exclusively operated by Toys "R" Us. FAO Schwarz was founded in 1862 under the name "Toy Bazaar" by German immigrant Frederick August Otto Schwarz, in Baltimore, where he and his brothers retailed toys from a fancy-goods store. Additional locations of "Toy Bazaar" followed in Philadelphia and Boston.In 1870, Schwarz opened a New York City location known as the "Schwarz Toy Bazaar" at 765 Broadway, which moved to 42 E. 14th Street in Union Square in 1880 and operated at that location until April 28, 1897, when it took over two vacant store locations at 39 and 41 W. 23rd Street. By then, The New York Times described Schwarz as "the largest dealer in toys in this city." Beginning in November 1869, the Schwarz Toy Bazaar held an exhibition of toys that would be available for the Christmas season, which in 1883 was described as the "14th Annual Exhibition." In 1896, Schwarz proclaimed the store as the "Original Santa Claus Headquarters" in New York. The FAO Schwarz holiday catalog has been published annually since 1876.In 1889, Schwarz added his initials to newspaper advertisements, branding the store at that time as simply "F.A.O. Schwarz," although the "Toy Bazaar" identifier continued until the move in 1897 to W. 23rd Street.In 1931, the New York City location moved to 745 Fifth Avenue where it operated for 55 years.