Einberg Pop-Up Book Collection

pop-up books shelf
A selection of pop-up books on the shelf in the store

Reference: EINBERG POP-UP BOOK COLLECTION               Date: c. 1950 -2014                Extent: 240 volumes

A collection of pop-up books of all varieties, chiefly produced for children in the 1970s and 1980s.

The collection comprises  240 volumes with a range of topics from Bible stories to Games of Thrones; fine art and architecture to the royal family.

While most of the books were produced for children, there are some exceptions: some humorous and others highly stylised and detailed.

More surprising items in the collection include paper and cardboard toys mimicking everyday items such as a hamburger, a handbag and a sandwich. 

The collection was donated to the Library in 2021 by Elizabeth Einberg, the former Tate curator and art historian. She collected these pop-up books following her personal interest in paper engineering.

More Information

  • This collection is part of the University of Reading Children’s Collection and is catalogued on Enterprise

Associated Collections

There are a number of pop-up books in other collections: