The guest speaker at the latest Westbury Probus meeting was Jane Rose, Times book critic and writer. Her subject was Paper Wizardry, Pop-up and movable books.
Jane explained the history of these amazing books starting in the 13th century with simple revolving cards and other books designed to illustrate the human body and its many parts.
She gradually moved forward to the 21st century where these books have become far more intricate. Jane commented that we think of these books as being for children, but nothing could be further from the truth. Pop-up and movable books have been made to illustrate many things such as wine production, art, history, architecture and medicine among other subjects.
Paper engineering on a grand scale including one book which Jane showed us that took 10 years to design and produce! Some of these books are very collectable, extremely valuable and have become investments.
Jane then invited the audience to come up and ‘play’ with her large collection of books. What a fascinating morning.
Chairman Chris Saunders thanked Jane and called the meeting to a close announcing that the next meeting on Tuesday 14th September at 10.00am would be a business meeting. We meet in the URC Church meeting room.
Bruce Hewitson
