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Mulder & Zoon

Sunday, 8 April 2007

As a kid I didn’t listen to much fairy tale records. My kids don’t like them either, so I have no idea why I still keep so much of them. Or why I bought them in the first place. I have a deep interest in the esoteric meaning of fairy tales, but in the adaptations that are made for records there is usually little left of the original stories. I have done away most of the LP’s, but I kept all the 45’s and other records that i have bought over the years.
Among my favourites is a series of little books that were also a record, published by the Dutch Mulder & Zoon NV. There is no date on the books/records, but they must be from the early 60’s. I cannot remember having seen them as a child and I have no idea how popular they were.
The weird thing is that you cannot read the book or watch the illustrations while listening to the record, because it the same object. And it is pretty dangerous for the record needle to play the thing, because it is not flat. I could only listen to the stories after I used tape to force the books/records into more two dimensional objects than the 3D shape that they naturally have.
The sound quality is poor; even my trained ears have a hard time filtering out enough of the surface noise to enjoy the story. Hard to imagine that little children in the 60’s were willing to do so much effort. I guess that Mulder & Zoon produced these collectors items for the future, for people like you and me.
I don’t have the complete series. There are at least ten different titles, and I have only six. And two are in the mutilated form, in which many of these paper records have survived their time-trip. But I should not complain, there are days when I hardly think of it. Here is how the records sound, in case you are interested.

Comments:

Maree

2008-11-11 13:52:44

Hi there…........took me ages to find something on Mulder & Zoon. I have Cinderella in the series. Not in bad shape considering the age ( or possible age as there is no dates)......I did have a chuckle about the fact you cannot look at the pictures whilst the record is playing…:) I dont know if the record works, I have had this little book for about 15yrs. As we are soon to live on a boat I would dearly love to find it a good home. Let me know if our interested.

Andrew

2009-06-01 19:26:48

Hi there. I have 2 of these in English: Hans and Gretal – No. 3220 G.P and Silent Night, Holy Night – No. 3285 G.P. Silent Night is in pretty bad shape and the record seems to be peeling off. There is a plastic film on both front covers but I can’t tell if that was put on later to protect the record of if it actually is the record? Can you please tell me? Many thanks – Andrew (New Zealand)

frits

2009-06-04 14:03:47

The plastic film IS the record! I am still looking for info on how this was actually done and who invented it.

WALLY MCGUIRE

2010-03-01 22:21:59

HI THERE I HAVE LITTLE TOM THUMB IN GOOD CONDITION
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY ARE PRICED AT AND IF THERE IS A MARKET FOR THEM AND WHERE I CAN FIND ANY INFORMATION ON THEM

Lisa

2010-09-16 09:07:32

I Have Cinderella and Hans & Gretel in very good condition, I would love to know any information about their value and the company who made them. Thank you

Rick Mulder

2012-06-16 18:41:14

Hi all, funny…looking around for Mulder en Zoon. My grandfather was the Mulder that owned Mulder en Zoon and I vagely remember visiting the factory in the late 60’s .
Nice to see this stuFf still around

Rick Mulder

2012-06-16 18:41:25

Hi all, funny…looking around for Mulder en Zoon. My grandfather was the Mulder that owned Mulder en Zoon and I vagely remember visiting the factory in the late 60’s .
Nice to see this stuFf still around

Rick Mulder

2012-06-16 22:47:15

I stand corrected by my brother, “it was Opa’s Dad along with his brother that started the factory, I think”

frits

2012-06-17 10:36:40

@Rick: Isn’t there an archive somwhere? I would love to have a book about your family’s company!

Hans Crezee

2012-08-06 13:37:22

Rick’s question is a very valid one. For such a prolific firm there is very little documentation around. I only have the 1951/52 catalog, are there more around?

Rick Mulder

2012-08-06 15:03:03

Sorry guys,
I was like 8 years old at the time.
I recall my G Dad died around 1973, my Dad and Uncle sold the factory and we moved to Portugal in 1975. 2 years later we moved to the USA.
I will ask my older brother if he has info or docs, but I doubt it.
SOMEWHERE, we have pics where the Dutch Prince (forget the name) visited the factory.
I’ll see if I can find them and post them somewhere.

Russell Cox

2012-12-17 06:45:10

I have the English version of “Snow White” Its still in very good condition. I’m trying transfer it to CD here in Melbourne. My brother & sister & I enjoyed this recording so much. It must be at least 50 years old. I would love to know more about the Mulder & Zoon Company history. Russell Cox, Melbourne, Australia.

Leah aka Moonkitten

2013-01-22 23:54:06

Hello – I also have a great interest in learning more about the Mulder & Zoon company! I sell/collect vintage and antique children’s books and don’t like to rest until I do as much research on them as possible. Thanks :)

Rohitha Cottingham

2013-02-14 05:26:15

I have “The Little Mermaid’ with a record on the front. Any idea of value?
See scan here.
http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii497/samarkand888/MulderandZoon.jpg

Rohitha Cottingham

2013-02-14 05:27:48

I have “The Little Mermaid’ with a record on the front. Any idea of value?
See scan here.
http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii497/samarkand888/MulderandZoon.jpg

Rohitha

2013-02-14 06:16:00

As a matter of interest have a look at these two listing numbers on Ebay
230753344095
220520131883

rahul rajora

2013-05-31 12:16:10

I have one King Frog-speed 33 1/3 in good condition.Would like to know more,and whats the value.

Heather

2013-11-10 20:37:14

I have a Mulder and Zoon “Cowboy and Red Indians” board game in excellent shape. The front of the box is brightly colored and shows a cowboy on a bucking bronco, Indian, game pieces inc. horse cards. The actual name of the game is not on the box, only on the inside of the lid where the instructions are ( in 4 languages). The only writing on the box is on the lid edges, very small, and say Mulder & Zoon N.Y. Amsterdam. I can’t find any info on this game at all.

Heather

2013-11-11 18:08:35

I have a Mulder and Zoon “Cowboy and Red Indians” board game in excellent shape. The front of the box is brightly colored and shows a cowboy on a bucking bronco, Indian, game pieces inc. horse cards. The actual name of the game is not on the box, only on the inside of the lid where the instructions are ( in 4 languages). The only writing on the box is on the lid edges, very small, and say Mulder & Zoon N.Y. Amsterdam. I can’t find any info on this game at all.

Ben

2013-12-04 08:57:10

Hello, I have 5 of Mulder & Zoom 33 1/3 German Version in nice condition.. Value $5.400 .. hard to find in USA

bryan hampson

2013-12-04 21:55:53

live in n.z have 3 record books in good condition,sleeping beauty,cinderella,tom thumb,for sale or can anybody tell me what they are worth

Ralph

2014-06-21 22:14:36

“DIE REGENBOGEN KINDER (THE RAINBOW CHILDREN)” JOSEPHINE BAKER
Signed copy by both JB and PW FOR SALE ..make OFFERE

peter heimsath

2015-02-12 03:15:04

I have Cinderella and red ridding hood. I’m trying to find out there value and when they were 1st published.

Laurie Fancy

2015-02-21 03:06:55

Hello from Canada! I just purchased 2 of the M & Z storybooks – Puss in Boots & Red Riding Hood (in English) for 75 cents each!! They do not contain records and I think they are much older than the ones shown. Judging by the exquisite colour illustrations by J.C. van Hunnik and text by Ann Lewis, these books may be from the 1930’s or 1940’s. I would love to know if anyone has any info on these new-found treasures. There only identifying mark on the books are these title numbers?? Puss in Boots = No. 1535 D & Red Riding Hood = No. 1535 A. There is a list noted on the back covers that states there are 6 books in this series: Little Tom Thumb, Little Red Riding Hood, Snowwhite, Puss in Boots, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. Note: My book’s title is Red Riding Hood, but is listed in the series on the rear cover as Little Red Riding Hood. Odd, no?

Thank you for any help anyone can give me.

Mary Parker

2015-10-11 23:28:39

I have “ Circus Fun” no record or information. Got it at a garage sale. No age on book.

Rohitha

2015-10-12 23:37:12

Rare Mulder & Zoon Similar Children’s Record Book – 1960s – Hans and Gretel advertised on ebay Australia for $AUD15
eBay item number:321809704579

anahid Heemstra

2015-11-19 21:37:41

I have the circus fun book it belongs to my husband from his childhood as he is from Holland but there is no writing on the book mulder and Zoon no 48 B are they antique or not?

nati

2016-09-11 10:18:49

Hey
I have the complete series of all eight books.
I want to sell

Tracey

2018-03-20 15:48:44

I just listed this item in case anyone was interested in looking. I have SEARCHED high and low and nothing comparable out there. Vintage PLASTICA #602 Mulder & Zoon Amsterdam plastic pattern toy set 1950s rare(Item ID: 323156983741)

Lynn Perrier

2020-02-03 23:10:05

I have pin the tail on the donkey from the early 60’s.

Stuart Smith

2020-11-14 04:27:47

I have a USA book that was Originally published bY MULDER & ZOON -titled My Super Book Of Dinosaurs – I bought it back in 1972 while Iwas in 4th grade I believe!! very modernistic images oand Pastel textures of Dinosaurs & Early Mammals!! I wonder who the artist was!!???

P.J. Vink

2021-10-29 09:46:18

I did some research for the book about flexi discs I am writing. These books where made in Dutch, English, French, German, Swedish, Norwegian and Icelandian languages. First issues in 1960 and some titles were reprinted. Also there was a Musical Coloring book.