Ernest Nister

[1] He refined the techniques used in the design of "magic windows", "dissolving picture" and pop-up books, publishing them from his firm in Nuremberg, a toy-making center of the 19th century.

Older mechanical books in library or personal collections can be preserved by professional conservators.

It is not known exactly how much of his own drawing he contributed to the illustrations of the books he edited and printed, but he would sometimes remove an artist's name and replace it with his own.

In addition to the German books, an English version was produced for Nister's London office and an American version, working with Edward Payson Dutton, for Dutton Publishing, his American publisher.

[7] Vintage chromolithographically printed postcards of Father Christmas by Nister are now sold on Etsy, Amazon, AbeBooks and eBay.