The Upside-Down World of Gustave Verbeek

Get lost in the work of one of the most innovative and unique comic strip artists of the early 20th century.

One of the eight wonders of the comics world: The Upside Downs of Little Lady Lovekins and Old Man Muffaroo. The one Sunday page came in two parts: the first is read like a regular comic, then you turn the page upside down and the images transform to illustrate the story that continues with the panels in their new position and order.

This volume features a complete run of the Upside Downs (1903-1905), digitally restored and presented in their original size and colors. Also featured are a complete run of Verbeek’s Loony Lyrics of Lulu (1910) and a sampling of his long-running favorite, Terrors of the Tiny Tads (1906-1914). As a bonus, a collection of 25 painting and drawings from books illustrated by Verbeek (1910-1915) fill out this high-quality hardbound volume. Verbeek’s work has influenced, directly or indirectly, Maurice Sendak, Dr. Suess, and many other illustrators and cartoonists.

Contains a foreword by recreational mathematics scholar Martin Gardner, and contributions by comics historians Jeet Heer, Marco Graziosi and Richard Marschall. This book will have great appeal to collectors, archivists, and fans of illustrated children’s fantasy stories.

Each book includes a set of 12 Tiny Tads postcards, replicated from the Verbeek originals of 1907 - 1910. From 1907 to 1913, Gustave Verbeek’s Tiny Tads Postcards were created as an advertising tool for small businesses. Looking like personal postcards, individual stores printed promotional messages in cursive text. Now, for the first time, these cards have been restored without advertising, ready to enjoy and send to your Tad friends all year ‘round!