M-522: Robert Sabuda Pop-Up Book Collection

DATE: 1988-2019

CREATOR: Sabuda, Robert (1965-)

SCOPE: This collection of Robert Sabuda’s work consists of pop-up books, illustrated books, greeting cards, holiday cards, Christmas ornaments, pop-up displays, book blurbs, and ephemera spanning from 1988 to 2019. The books retell famous fairy tales, give the reader insight into prehistoric and mythological history, and tell holiday stories. Christmas ornaments created for the Museum of Modern Art depict various Christmas icons, and the displays create a winter wonderland. Many of these objects are signed by Robert Sabuda.

HISTORY: Pop-up artist Robert Sabuda (1965-) began his art practice as a young child, inspired by his father’s craft as a mason and carpenter. At a young age, Sabuda taught himself how to create paper models and pop-up books. After high school, he attended Pratt Institute in New York City, and went on to work at a children’s book publishing house before becoming an illustrator and author. He has earned the Meggendorfer Prize from the Movable Book Society of America three times, and has been a New York Times Best-Selling Creator several times.

Sabuda’s first published pop-up book was The Mummy’s Tomb: A Pop-Up Book, published in 1994. Since then, he has published more than 20 other books through several publishing houses, and even more with co-authors or co-illustrators. Sabuda has also collaborated with the Museum of Modern Art and paper company UWP Luxe to create pop-up holiday decorations. The work of this prolific paper engineer continues from his studio in New York City.

EXTENT: 9 boxes containing: 45 pop-up books, 16 illustrated books, 93 greeting or holiday cards, 1 puzzle card, 14 ornaments, 14 pop-up displays, 12 pieces of ephemera, and 18 promotional book blurbs.

ACCESS: This collection can be viewed on-site in the Rare Book and Manuscripts Reading Room. Some of the material may be photocopied, digitally scanned or photographed, subject to condition and other access restrictions. Information on conducting research with the archival collections of the Library, including current building hours and reading room policies, can be found on our Research page. The St. Louis Mercantile Library is located on levels one and two of the Thomas Jefferson Library building on the University of Missouri-St. Louis’ north campus.

Preferred Citation note: The preferred citation for this collection is "From the Special Collections of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri – St. Louis."

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