This reproduction of an early metamorphosis book from Germany dates from the later 19th century, but its exact origin is unknown. The earliest examples of this toy have been found from the 17th century. Commonly called "harlequindes" or "turn ups" they were connected to the theater shows of the time. In the 19th century, this technique had evolved into creating changeable faces and bodies.
This book consists of 8 pages, with each single page holding 4 different characters, each divided into thirds (head, body, and legs). The matching sections are tied together with great ingenuity with greater combination possibilities than is usually found in books of this sort.
This book is made of thick paper and measures 8.5 X 5.5 inches ( 21.6 X 14 cm)