Products
Memories of an Illustrator
Sebastapol, CA: El Camino Real Press, 2015. 7 pp. Approximately 2 1/8 x 2 15/16". LIMITED EDITION of 150 copies. Blue leatherette with gilt title on cover, decorative endpapers, 8 cent U.S. unmetered postage stamp frontispiece, blue endpapers, bound by Mariana Blau and printed by Patrick Reagh, in near fine condition.
This sweet little book explains why Francis Weber had a penchant for using postage stamps to illustrate his miniature books. Informing and pretty, all at the same time.
Mine
New York: Pocket Books, 1990. 442 pp. 6 1/4 x 9 1/2". First Edition, first printing. Illustrated dust jacket with original price of $18.95, in fine condition; Red paper over boards and black cloth spine with silver lettering, slight foxing on top fore-edge, signed by the author on the title page, in near fine condition.
Robert McCammon (1952 - ), is a well-known fantasy/horror writer, having been a recipient of the Horror Writers of America, Inc.'s Bram Stoker Award and nominated for the 1988 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel. This novel is about a woman who steals a baby, the mother who tries to hunt her down and an FBI man who also has a grudge to settle. From the jacket: "A novel of psychological terror and unrelenting suspense set against the backrop of America today".
Miniature Book Society Conclave XXI Keepsakes
Various: Various, 2003. Ten miniature keepsakes made in limited editions from various publishers, along with a unique drawstring bag, all produced as keepsakes for the 21st MBS Conclave, held in Toronto, Canada, in fine condition.
Keepsake items from some of the best miniature book presses in the trade. Included are the following: Bookplate by Darragh Hunter (signed), The Pelican by Gray Goose Press, The Longest Street in the World by Evron S. Collins, T'bull's Aaht by The Final Score (numbered), Beloved Books by The Bronte Press, Toronto by Kathy King & Janet King, A Quirky Thought for the Day by Bookarts Canberra (bound in leather), Because of Miriam by Frank & Jeanette Anderson, Miniature Books: A Counting Conundrum or Stymied Statistics, by Rare Book & Texana Collections of the University of North Texas Libraries, and a decorative cloth keepsake bag in American and Canadian flag motif by Margaret Challenger.
Moses Hayyim Luzzatto on Lovingkindness
Evanston, IL: Press of Ward Schori, 1987. 40 pp. Approximately 2 9/16 x 1 7/8". LIMITED EDITION of 225 copies. Brown blind-stamped leather with gilt title on cover and spine, endpapers with old Hebrew text, bound by Hugo Grummich, in near fine condition. (Bradbury, Schori 44)
Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, also known as Moses Hayyim Luzzatto (1707 - 1746) was an Italian Jewish rabbi and philosopher. His writings showed his deep understanding of the Talmud and codes of Jewish law. After a brief biography, this lovely little book describes his reflections on lovingkindness.
Mountain Birds
London: Penguin Books, 1952. 31 pp. + 16 color plates. First edition. Approximately 5 x 7 1/4". Printed dust jacket with label title on cover and spine, rubbing to edges, in very good condition. Similarly patterned printed paper boards, Stanford Library withdrawal stamp on front free endpaper along with ink name on verso, otherwise in very good condition.
A beautifully done little book about the birds of the hills of Britain, with stunning full color plates. Robert Coombes is an ornithologist who describes the birds in terms the layman can easily understand and appreciate. The artist, George Lodge, is "especially renowned for his drawings of falcons and other birds of prey" per the dust jacket.
Mr. H. in America
Los Angeles, CA: Dawson's Book Shop, 1981. 23 pp. Approximately 2 7/8 x 2 1/4". LIMITED EDITION of 150 copies. Green leather with gilt lettering by Bela Blau, printed by the author from zinc plates mae by Pall Bohme, frontispiece also by Pall Bohme. A fine copy. (Bradbury, Dawson's, 67)
A little bit of writing about Charles Lamb and his work as an author.
Munkássakk (Worker's Chess)
Budapest, Hungary: Alföldi Nyomda, 1984. 160 pp. Approximately 1 3/4 x 2 1/2". Text in Hungarian. LIMITED EDITION of 400 copies, this being #2. Light brown leather over boards, Title in black on cover with chess board and knight piece illustration, seven black and white photographs, many chess diagrams, slight wear to cover, otherwise in near fine condition.
One of the best known printing houses in Budapest for the last 40 years, the Alföldi Printing House prints both large books and miniatures for both foreign and domestic markets. Their talent, inventiveness, and artistic ability were noted by Louis Bondy in his miniature book reference (p. 176).
Nelly, Poet Nobel Laureate, Homage to Nelly Sachs
Evanston, IL: Press of Ward Schori, 1988. 32 pp. Approximately 2 9/16 x 2 1/16". LIMITED EDITION of 200 copies. Black leather over boards with copper gilt lettering on front cover and spine, frontispiece, bound by Hugo Grummich, designed and hand typography by the publisher, some foxing to top edge, otherwise in near fine condition. (Bradbury, Schori 51)
Nelly Sachs (1891 - 1970) was a Swedish poet and playwright of Jewish German birth. She was greatly impacted by the rise of the Nazis during World War II and escaped Germany only one week before having to report to a concentration camp. Her poetry is very lyrical and poignant. She was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1966.
Odds Against
London: Michael Joseph, 1965. 256 pp. Approximately 6 1/4 x 9 1/4". 1st Edition, first printing. Illustrated dust jacket in very good + condition with minor edge wear and repair tape to inside cover near spine, slight rubbing to back cover, not price-clipped; Brown cloth over boards, crisp gilt title on spine, slight foxing of pages edges, otherwise in near fine condition.
Born Richard Stanley Francis (1920 - 2010), Dick Francis was a British crime writer whose novels were mostly centered on horse racing in England (he was a former steeplechase jockey himself). This book is Dick Francis' 5th book, with Sid Halley appearing for the first time as the private investigator. Edgar Award nominee.
Olde Christmas Eve
(Manteno, IL): Bronte Press, 1997. (12) pp. Approximately 4 1/2 x 3", oblong. LIMITED EDITION unknown, this being #63. Green paper boards with label on front cover, caligraphy and illustrations by Suzanne Pruchnicki, hand-colored, signed by the artist/printer on the colophon, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Bronte Press)
Published by Washington Irving in 1876, this little book is a short story to enjoy for the holidays.