LIBRO GIOCATTOLI [THE BOOK OF TOYS] by ALTARA, EDINA

ALTARA, EDINA. NOVELTY. (TOYS) IL LIBRO GIOCATTOLI [THE BOOK OF TOYS] by Edina Altara. Milano: Hoepli (1945). Folio (13 1/2 x 16 1/2"), pictorial wraps, Fine and unused. There is an 8 page instructional booklet to be used as a guide to construct a variety of toys from nearly 50 leaves of color lithographed pages. The child can make: a Magician with his tricks, an Aquarium (with translucent paper giving the illusion of water), the Toy Soldiers of Zim Bum Bum, an Automaton, a Carousel, Birds in the sky, a Trip to the Moon, a Ballerina, a Convent, a Game of Horses and Keys to the Treasury. There are also several thick card pages used as bases. Edina Altara was a self taught artist who became a popular Italian illustrator. This is a lavish children's book by any standard but considering the publication year of 1945, it is quite remarkable.