A “blad” is generally defined as a flier or other piece of promotional material, distributed by a publisher to sell a product. As such, it is created in far smaller numbers than the actual book and rarely saved…a classic piece of ephemeral matter. Not inconsequentially, however, blads can very well contain other important information: publication dates, the number of first copy printings, advertising figures, and display options, all lacking from the book itself.

This pop-up blad is by the team of Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart. Fairies and Magical Creatures (Candlewick, 2008) features a single flower that pulls down to reveal a three-dimensional pillywiggin concealed among the petals. The back cover provides important marketing info. This small advertising blad measures only 4 x 4” and in Fine condition.