The Public Paperfolding History Project

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Last updated 14/7/2024

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Folded Paper Fish
 
This page is being used to collect information about the history of designs for folded paper fish. Please contact me if you know any of this information is incorrect or if you have any other information that should be added. Thank you.

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1893

This design for a pull-out / inflatable Catfish appears in 1893 in volume 5 issue 22 of the Japanese children's magazine 'Shokokumin'

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1896

A design for a basic fish appears in Eleonore Heerwart's 'Course in Paperfolding', which was first published in Dutch in 1895 then in English by Charles and Dible in London and Glasgow in 1896.

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The Cut Goldfish - 1931 onwards

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1935

'Origami Moyo, Book Two' by Kawarazaki Kodo, which was published in Japan in 1935, contains a print showing an untitled design that appears to be a Koi Carp.

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1936

'Paper Toy Making' by Margaret Campbell, which was first published by Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons Ltd in London, probably in 1937, although both the Foreword and Preface are dated 1936, which argues that the book was complete at that date, contains a design called 'The Fish (Shark)' made from a bird base.

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1944

Two designs for fish developed from fish bases appear in 'Origami Shuko' by Isao Honda, which was published in 1944.

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1949

Hugard's Magic Monthly for February 1949 contained an article about money folding by Martin Gardner explaining how to fold and work his Mazuma Fish magical effect.

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1956

The same design appears as 'The Fish' in 'Paper Magic' by Robert Harbin, which was published by Oldbourne in London in 1956. The text notes, 'Japanese'.

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1957

A simple fish design appears in 'Origami: Book One' by Florence Sakade, which was published by the Charles E Tuttle Company in Rutland, Vermont and Tokyo in 1957.

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1959

A very simple design for a 'Fish' appears in 'Fun-time Paper Folding' by Elinor Tripato Massoglio, which was published by Childrens Press in Chicago in 1959.

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1960

A design for a cut 'Fish' appears in 'Origami: The Oriental Art of Paper Folding' by Harry C Helfman, which was published by Platt and Munk Co Inc in New York in 1960.

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1961

A design for a 'Scarlet Carp' appears in 'The Art of Origami' by Samuel Randlett, which was published by E P Dutton in New York in 1961. The book also includes a photograph of a pre-printed sheet for this design from the John Andreas collection. See also 1968.

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1968

The same design also appears, just as 'Carp', in 'Your Book of Paperfolding' by Vanessa and Eric de Maré, which was published by Faber and Faber in London in 1968, where it was is to be a traditional Japanese design.

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The 1968 Rupert Annual contains instructions showing how to fold 'Rupert's Flying Fish'.

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The Blow-up Goldfish - 1974

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