Blue Ribbon Books
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1930 in Garden City, New York, United States |
| Founder | Dodd & Mead, Harcourt & Brace, Harper, Little, Brown |
| Fate | Sold holdings and reprint rights to Doubleday, Doran & Company in 1939 |
| Headquarters | Garden City , United States |
Key people | Alfred Harcourt, Eugene Reynal |
| Products | Reprint books, pop-up books |
Blue Ribbon Books was a U.S.-based publishing firm established in 1930 in Garden City, New York by a group of publishers—including Dodd & Mead, Harcourt & Brace, Harper, and Little, Brown—with the purpose of producing reprints to rival Grosset & Dunlap.
The enterprise was initially overseen by Alfred Harcourt and Eugene Reynal, with Reynal assuming sole leadership in 1933. In 1937, Blue Ribbon secured the catalog of A. L. Burt, continuing certain titles under the label "A Burt Book." By 1939, the company divested its holdings and reprint rights to Doubleday, Doran & Company.
Pop-up books
Blue Ribbon Books became notable for introducing children's pop-up books to the American market, registering "pop-up" as a trademark for its Illustrated Pop-up Editions. The company partnered with Harold B. Lentz, who contributed both artistic designs and mechanical engineering expertise for complex pop-up features. This collaboration resulted in highly regarded works such as *The "Pop-Up" Pinocchio* (1932) and *The "Pop-Up" Cinderella* (1933).
Additionally, Blue Ribbon published well-liked Disney-themed pop-up titles, including *The "Pop-Up" Mickey Mouse* and *The "Pop-Up" Donald Duck*, which brought classic Disney narratives to life through interactive visuals. These editions gained popularity among young readers and collectors alike.
Today, Blue Ribbon's pop-up books are prized collectibles due to their detailed craftsmanship and significant influence on the development of interactive children's literature in the United States, securing a prominent place in the pop-up book industry of the 1930s.
Book series
- Best Known Works (implied series)
- Blue Ribbon Specials
- Famous Books for Young Americans
- Pop-Up Books
- Rainbow Bindings (also known as Rainbow Editions)
- Waddle Books
Imprints
- Book League of America
- Halcyon House
External links
- Blue Ribbon Books at melbirnkrant.com – photographic collection showcasing Blue Ribbon Pop-up Books