Panoramic Pictures at the Zoo

New York: Sam'l Gabriel Sons & Company. Leporello. Very Good. N.d., circa 1920s. Oblong leporello with six pop-up cages housing lions, tigers, camels, zebras, deer and bears. Behind the cage bars lie a more naturalistic setting, as opposed to the stone and brick of standard zoo architecture of the era. The front cover depicts a zoo elephant ride, with tots sitting aloft, and the rear board features buffalo. A most charming toy book, which stands easily upright, allowing for the cage pop-ups to be opened to a more three dimensional viewing. The panels are attached by strips of red cloth. On the opposite side from the cage pop-ups are descriptions of various animals and black and white illustrations, and these include other animals such as kangaroos, monkeys and ostriches. Given the construction of the accordian-like book, there is a suggestion of looseness to it, but the panels are firmly attached to one another and the pop-ups, which require a little manual assistance in pulling out, are completely functional and attractive. Two of the red cloth binding strips are replacements.