Preliminary identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
A series of sophisticated 'modern art' pop-up books by master paper engineer David A. Carter, featuring intricate kinetic sculptures. These books moved the genre away from simple children's stories into the realm of abstract, interactive gallery art for all ages.
Story
David A. Carter reinvented the pop-up book in 2004 by hiding a single red dot inside complex paper sculptures. This series turned reading into a game of hide-and-seek with high-concept geometric art.
Maker / Origin
David A. Carter is a titan of paper engineering, having created over 90 pop-up books. He is best known for this 'color' series, which earned him the Meggendorfer Prize, the highest honor in the movable book world, for his technical brilliance and artistic innovation.
Condition & Value
The spines show some light shelf wear and 'Blue 2' has visible spotting/foxing on the spine. Two volumes remain in original plastic wrap, which significantly preserves the internal mechanisms and increases value. Internal tears to the paper tabs would reduce value by 50% per book.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.