The Public Paperfolding History Project

Index Page

x

 
Your Book of Paperfolding by Vanessa and Eric de Maré, 1968
 
'Your Book of Paperfolding' by Vanessa and Eric de Maré was published by Faber and Faber in London in 1968 as part of their 'Your Books' series. It is really a compendium of designs taken from other published works, largely without acknowledgement, and contains no original material. However the clarity of the diagrams is to be admired.

Eric de Maré was a famous architectural photographer, and his name may have been included on the book for just that reason. His wife Vanessa drew the diagrams for the book, which is the bulk of the work.

The majority of the designs are said to be traditional Japanese or Chinese models. Not all of these atrributions are accurate.

Two designs are attributed to Samuel Randlett and another, probably inaccurately, to Florence Temko.

The Catherine of Cleves Box is attributed to John Smith but this is clearly an error. The introduction speaks of 'the Gift Box, which we learned from a friend'.

A full version of this work can be viewed here.

**********

The Introduction says that in Japan 'The simple folded object is considered to be superior to that which is cut or glued.' However, the authors do not appear to have taken this philosophy on board.

**********

Chinese Knight's Helmet - The Kabuto

**********

Rabbit - The Japanese Rabbit

Said to be Japanese Traditional

**********

Sailing Boat - The Yacht

Said to be Japanese Traditional

**********

Cicada

Said to be Japanese Traditional

**********

Pigeon

Said to be Japanese Traditional

**********

Elephant (Cut)

Said to be Japanese Traditional

**********

Swan

Attributed to Florence Temko, USA. This attribution seems to be a misunderstanding of information in Harbin's 'Secrets of Origami' which attributed a way of folding this design (rather than the design itself) to Florence Temko. Note also that Vanessa Mare's diagrams do not explain the folding method attributed to Florence Temko in Harbin's book.

**********

Japanese Woman (Cut)

(Note that in Harbin's 'Secrets of Origami' this design is attributed to Okimasa (Kosho) Uchiyama.)

**********

Japanese Man (Cut)

(Note that in Harbin's 'Secrets of Origami' this design is attributed to Okimasa (Kosho) Uchiyama.)

**********

Salt Cellar

Said to be Japanese Traditional

**********

Lotus Flower - The Lotus

Said to be Japanese Traditional

**********

Four-legged Container - The Sanbo-on-Legs

Said to be Japanese Traditional

**********

Carpenter's Hat

Said to be Japanese Traditional. Developed from the Sanbo-on-Legs.

**********

Gift Box (Cut) - The Catherine of Cleves Box

Attributed to John Smith, England

**********

Fishing Boat

Said to be Japanese Traditional

**********

Mouse (Cut)

Attributed to Samuel Randlett, USA

**********

Mask

Said to be after Akira Yoshizawa, Japan

**********

Whale

Said to be Japanese Traditional

**********

Angel Fish

Attributed to Samuel Randlett, USA

**********

Flapping Bird - The Flapping Bird

Said to be Japanese Traditional.

**********

Crane - The Paper Crane

Said to be Japanese Traditional. Inflated in the Japanese manner.

**********

Turtle (Cut)

Said to be Japanese Traditional

**********

Owl (Cut)

Said to be Japanese Traditional

**********

Dragonfly (Cut) - Another Cut Dragonfly

Said to be Japanese Traditional

**********

Jumping Frog - The Blow-up Frog

Said to be Japanese Traditional

**********

Octopus (Cut)

Said to be Japanese Traditional

**********

Lily - The Lily

Said to be Japanese Traditional

**********

Carp

Said to be Japanese Traditional

**********

Waterbomb - The Waterbomb

Said to be Chinese and Japanese Traditional

**********

Pagoda - The Pagoda

Said to be Chinese Traditional

**********