From Carey Cloud's autobiography...
I designed a novelty for children, and my search for a market for the item led to Sam and Ira Gold, who represented the Blue Ribbon Book Publishers in New York. They didn't care much for my concept, but they were looking for novel juvenile book ideas. We eventually devised the pop-up book: the leverage created on opening the book pulled up an action picture in the center spread.
I later obtained two patents on the idea. The Golds took my first sketch to Blue Ribbon Publishers. They were elated over the idea and wanted several books. This is when I started to smoke better cigars.
Sixteen-hour workdays were required to produce a book on schedule. When one book was completed, another assignment was waiting. I made seventeen books in twelve months. We made pop-up books out of all the Mother Goose characters. Then we made some using famous comic strip characters.
Ira Gold remarked one day: "We have action, now if only we could get sound." My next book was "Terry and the Pirates." I created a popup showing Terry rising from behind a rock, aiming a pistol at the reader. Then I went to a novelty store in the Palmer House and purchased a book of fake matches. A cap exploded when the matchbook was opened. I removed the matches and glued the matchbook in position under Terry. When the book was opened and Terry popped up with pistol in hand, the hidden matchbook went "BANG!"
I presented the book to Ira. He opened it. His reaction was unexpected he almost fell from his chair, his composure destroyed. Ira's response indicated he was not pleased with the idea. I remarked, "You said 'get action' and I gave you action." Slightly mollified, Ira growled, "Yes, but not that kind of action." I didn't dare let him know it was only a joke.
A partial listing of books printed by Blue Ribbon Press from 1932-1935
- Buck Rogers Strange Adventures in the Spider-Ship, 1935 20 pages, 3 pop-ups
- Dick Tracy Capture of Boris Arson, Blue Ribbon Press, 1935
- Flash Gordon Tournament of Death, Blue Ribbon Press, Pleasure Books, Inc., Chicago, Copyright 1935, King Features Syndicate, Inc., 1935
- Goldilocks and the Three Bears. New York: Blue Ribbon Press, [1934].
- Little Black Sambo, New York: Blue Ribbon Press, 1934. 5" x 4". 60p., color pop-up in center of book by C. Carey Cloud
- Little Red Ridinghood. Illustrations by C. Carey Cloud and Harold B. Lentz. New York: Blue Ribbon Press, [1934].
- Little Orphan Annie and Jumbo, the Circus Elephant, Harold Gray/ Chicago: Pleasure Books, Inc. / Blue Ribbon Press [1935]. 8 x 9-1/4" tall; 10 pages of text with b/w drawings, plus 3 pop-ups
- Mickey Mouse in King Authur's Court, 56 pages, Blue Ribbon Press, 1933
- Mickey Mouse in Ye-Olden Days, by Walt Disney Enterprises, & Blue Ribbon Press, New York, 1934
- Mother Goose. With "Pop-Up" Illustrations in Full Color by Harold Lentz. New York: Blue Ribbon Press, [1934].
- Popeye with The Hag of the Seven Seas, Blue Ribbon Press Book ~ Pleasure Books, Inc., Chicago, Copyright 1935, King Features Syndicate, Inc.
- Puss in Boots. Illustrations by C. Carey Cloud and Harold B. Lentz. New York: Blue Ribbon Press, [1934].
- Terry and the Pirates, Blue Ribbon Press Book ~ Pleasure Books, Inc., Chicago, Copyright 1935, Famous Artists Syndicate
- Tim Tyler in the Jungle, Pleasure Books, Chicago, Blue Ribbon Press Book...copyright 1935 King Features Syndicate
- "Jack the Giant Killer;" illustrated by Harold Lentz; Blue Ribbon Books; 1932; 8 1/2 inches by 6 1/2 inches
- THREE LITTLE PIGS, Walt Disney, Walt Disney Studios / New York: Blue Ribbon Books, 1933.
- The Pop-up Pinocchio-with 'pop-up' illustrations by Harold Lentz-Blue Ribbon Press-1932
- THE NEW ADVENTURES OF TARZAN "POP-UP." Chicago: Pleasure Books, Inc., (1935). The Illustrated Pop-Up Edition, a Blue Ribbon Press Book
- THE "POP-UP" MINNIE MOUSE. Story and Illustrations by the Staff of Walt Disney Studios. New York: Blue Ribbon Books, (1933). Three bright double-page color pop-ups and many black and white text illustrations. [26] pp