New Arrivals
Song of Creation
Santa Cruz, CA: Peter & Donna Thomas, 1999. (8) pp. Approximately 2 1/8 x 2 3/4". LIMITED EDITION of 500 copies, this being #14. Cream paper over boards with scene of Yosemite on front label, eight page nested accordion binding depicting a 180 degree panoramic view of Yosemite Valley, in fine condition. (P&D Thomas Bibliography A96)
Peter and Donna Thomas call this "nested accordion pop-up fold book" which they later shortened to just a nested accordion binding. Based on a one-of-a-kind book from 1993 using water-color paintings made while backpacking in the California Sierra Nevada mountains. The background accordion is on green paper with plant-fiber inclusions.
The Dwarf — A Short History of a Short Man
Santa Cruz, CA: The Good Book Press, 1983. (44) pp. Approximately 2 7/8 x 1 3/8", oblong. LIMITED EDITION of 150 copies, this being #96. Brown leather over boards, marbled endpapers, letterpress on handmade paper, 13 tipped-in illustrations by Donna, paper made by Peter, signed on the colophon. A fine copy, attractively produced. (Bradbury, Peter & Donna Thomas, 8; P&D Thomas Bibliography A24)
A poignant book, beautifully produced with a story about a short and ugly dwarf who felt lonely and rejected but found solace in the peacefulness and acceptance of nature. Later bindings have the title blind stamped on the cover. The type used was American Uncial, a short, squat typeface which inspired the format of the book.
Shakespeare on Paper Mills
Santa Cruz, CA: The Good Book Press, 1988. [64] pp. Approximately 1 9/16 x 1 15/16". LIMITED EDITION of 200 copies, of which the first 100 copies are printed on paper made during Shakespeare's lifetime (from a damaged copy of Digestrum Novum: 1576) and the second 100 copies use Peter Thomas' handmade paper. This is #99 from the first set made. Gilt morocco spine, paper over boards, illustrated by Donna Thomas, very minor wear, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Peter and Donna Thomas, 26; P&D Thomas Bibliography A50).
A beautiful miniature by well-known book artists, authors, and paper-makers Peter and Donna Thomas, this book presents a fascinating study of paper-mills and paper-making, as seen and described in various Shakespeare works, particularly Henry VI, Part 2: Act 4, Scene 7.
Yes, Virginia
Santa Cruz, CA: The Good Book Press, 1984. 20 pp. 2 3/8 x 3"; LIMITED EDITION of 125 copies, this being #12. Ivory paper boards with red- and purple-embellishments, letterpress, stamped title and decoration on front cover, woodcut illustrations by Donna Thomas, numbered on the colophon, in fine condition. (Bradbury, P&D Thomas 12; P&D Thomas Bibliography A28)
"Yes, Virginia" is about the famous letter sent to the editor of the New York Sun by a little girl of eight and his subsequent answer to the question of "Is there a Santa Claus". A lovely and inspiring story for the Christmas season. A beautiful example of their work with no other copies on the market at this time (1/23).
All About the Little Small Red Hen
Dallas, TX: Aredian Press, 2021. Approximately 2 1/4 x 2 3/4", 58 pp. First edition, LIMITED EDITION of 10 copies, this being #3. Design binding by Patrice Miller of Aredian Press, presented within a tan and brown checked sack with hand embroidered "red hen" scrim patch. Red leather 1/4 binding with hand-embroidered spine, patterened cloth over boards with printed label on front cover, ribbon bookmark featuring a tiny scissors charm, signed and numbered by the publisher on the colophon, fine condition.
Here is a beautiful rendition of a classic children's tale of an industrious hen outwitting a cunning fox. It includes eight watercolors and nine black and white illustrations by Johnny B. Gruelle. The publisher has hand-colored the half-title and main title page illustrations. Each copy of the edition is bound with a different combination of patterned fabric, spine leather and endpaper materials and treatment. Patrice Miller's work has found its way to private and university collections, in the states and abroad. Human foibles, nature’s panoply, and artistic cleverness cannot help but inform future work. She continues to bind, and rebind, in Dallas, Texas.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Enkhuizen, Holland: J. R. Levien, 1972. [20] pp. Approx. 5/8 x 13/16". LIMITED EDITION of 100 copies. Maroon leather over boards with gilt stamped design on cover, gilt title on spine, black and white illustrations throughout, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Levien 37)
This little book is a short story about Elizabeth's marriage to Robert Browning and her most famous poem that starts, "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways". First printing under the imprint of Trader's Press in New York from 1967 - 1969, Jack R. Levien then moved to Holland and published under his own name from 1970 - 1972. In those six years, he published 46 miniature books.
Business Worries
Enkhuizen, Holland: J. R. Levien, 1970. [18] pp. Approx. 3/4 x 7/8". LIMITED EDITION of 100 copies. Blue leather over boards with gilt stamped design on cover, black and white illustrations throughout, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Levien 9)
This little book is cited as an old Jewish story from Amsterdam. First printing under the imprint of Trader's Press in New York from 1967 - 1969, Jack R. Levien then moved to Holland and published under his own name from 1970 - 1972. In those six years, he published 46 miniature books.
A Tribute to Sig
Enkhuizen, Holland: J. R. Levien, 1970. [14] pp. Approx. 3/4 x 7/8". LIMITED EDITION of 100 copies. Maroon leather over boards with gilt stamped design on cover, black and white illustrations throughout, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Levien 10)
This little book is a tribute to Sigmund Freud and his thoughts on sex. Naked people cartoon illustrations. First printing under the imprint of Trader's Press in New York from 1967 - 1969, Jack R. Levien then moved to Holland and published under his own name from 1970 - 1972. In those six years, he published 46 miniature books.
Benjamin Franklin, September 17, 1787
Salisbury, CT: Lime Rock Press, 1981. 25 pp. Approx. 1 x 1". Printed with two bindings: one suede and the other cowhide. Brown leather with Franklin's signature in gilt on the cover, marbled endpapers, housed in clear plastic case, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Lime Rock 10)
From the Great American Speeches series, this little book relays the speech Franklin gave, urging his fellow delegates to join ranks in signing the new United States constitution. His speech was given a standing ovation. Lime Rock Press is the private press of Whitney North Seymour, Jr. and is run also by his wife and daughters who contribute photography, art, printing and binding.
Samuel Adams, April 1, 1776
Salisbury, CT: Lime Rock Press, 1981. 25 pp. approx. 1 x 1". Printed with two bindings: one suede and the other cowhide. Brown leather with Adams' signature in gilt on the cover, marbled endpapers, housed in clear plastic case, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Lime Rock 9)
From the Great American Speeches series, this little book relays the rousing speech Adams gave to the citizens gathered at the State House in Philadelphia trying to galvanize them into action after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Lime Rock Press is the private press of Whitney North Seymour, Jr. and is run also by his wife and daughters who contribute photography, art, printing and binding. Samuel