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![The Worsted Monster [Design Binding]](http://thebooklair.com/cdn/shop/files/002539_1dfed45c-ac36-4749-a65a-c6a92af1236b_grande.jpg?v=1737332125)
The Worsted Monster [Design Binding]
Dallas, TX: Aredian Press, 2020. Approximately 2 15/16 x 2 15/16". First edition, LIMITED EDITION of 26 copies, this being letter "G". Design binding by Patrice Miller of Aredian Press, presented within a box covered with a tan slubbed book cloth and burgundy bonded leather. The leather stripping surrounding the box exterior represents strands of yarn. Upon opening the book, one sees a multicolored knitted object sitting inside a woolen sock. Using the sock to lift the object from the box, one finds the book within the wide hand-knitted band of heavy yarn. The book is burgundy leather over boards with WM initials on cover label, inside is a carousel structure with two built-in slipcases holding the text of the play and a portfolio of the play kit with sets, characters, props and Gorey's production notes. Signed and numbered by the publisher on the colophon, fine condition.
The Worsted Monster by Edward Gorey was previously published only in National Lampoon magazine, as a do-it-yourself activity consisting of a plot script with Gorey's illustrations for set, characters, props, and production notes. The play consists of a prologue and three acts. Utter nonsense, the action begins with the infant Isinglass being overtaken by the monster and concludes with the menacing yarn inexplicably having become a huge pile of knitted socks. This is the first edition, authorized by the Edward Gorey Charitable Trust, and is being produced in an edition of 26 with copies lettered A to Z, as well as three out of series copies for the publisher and the EGT archives. 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.
Thomas Bewick, Vignettes from Birds, Quadrupeds and Fables, Memorial Edition
Chicago: Black Cat Press, 1971. Approximately 2 1/8 x 2 5/8 ". (48 pp.) LIMITED EDITION of 200 copies. Full dark red leather with gold-stamped Bewick's signature on front cover and title ("Bewick") on spine, illustrated from 15 original wood blocks carved by Thomas Bewick and printed by R. Hunter Middleton (the Bewick authority), frenchfold, type pages were letterpress printed on Troya paper by Charles Young at the Norman Press, binding by Monastery Hill Binder, in near fine condition. (Bradbury, Black Cat Press 37)
Thomas Bewick (1753 - 1828) was a natural history author and an engraver. Bewick is most famous for his book, A History of British Birds, whose wood engravings are much admired for the small and often humorous vignettes. This miniature book is considered by some to be the finest book from Norman Forgue's Black Cat Press.
Three in One: Three Complete Stories in One Book: Sue's Hair Ribbon; Big Old House; Purple Car
Morro Bay, CA: Tabula Rasa Press, 1981. Miniature book, 2 1/8 x 1 3/4"; Letterpress, cloth boards, printed label, 67 pp. Set in Torino type, number 177 of 300 copies, (Bradbury, Tabula Rasa Press 22).
Three cute and brief original children's tales. 4 institutional holdings in OCLC.
Tiny Texas
Austin, TX: Amistad Press, 1982. (106) pp. Approximately 1 7/8 x 2 1/2". LIMITED EDITION of 335 copies. Brown cloth over printed paper boards with gilt line, illustrated, original packaging, signed by the publisher on the rear free endpaper, fine condition. (Bradbury, Amistad Press 42)
Known for it's big size, this interesting little book points out the small things that are from/in Texas, including plants, people, places, etc. Reprinted with permission from the December 1979 issue of Texas Monthly.
To a Coy Koi
Dallas, TX: Aredian Press, 2022. Approximately 2 1/2 x 2 1/2". LIMITED EDITION of 7 copies, this being #5. Design binding by Patrice Miller of Aredian Press. The structure is a crossed portfolio with an illustrated three-dimensional central core, decorated matchbox sleeve enclosure provides the title, colophon, and limitation which is, signed and numbered by the publisher, hand-drawn and hand-colored illustrations, in fine condition. Beautifully structured and original miniature book.
The original sixteen line poem in iambic pentameter is a parody of Andrew Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress", and is a water gardener's lament. 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.
Twas the Night Before Christmas
Santa Cruz, CA: Peter & Donna Thomas, 1982. 30 pp. Approximately 3 x 2 1/2". LIMITED EDITION of 200 copies, this being #14. Red paper over boards, title on label on cover, eight linoleum cut illustrations by Donna, illustrated red paper wrapper, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Peter & Donna Thomas, 44; P&D Thomas Bibliography A77)
Peter and Donna Thomas, well-known book artists, authors, and paper-makers, have been operating their private press since 1976. A beautiful and artistic book, this story was first published in 1823 anonymously and later was credited to the author in 1837. Perhaps one of the best-known poems ever written, it is responsible for the image and characteristics of Santa Claus that is still prevalent today. From the bibliography: "As a child I had a copy of the St. Onge edition of 'The Night Before Christmas,' illustrated by Tasha Tudor, and we wanted to make our own version. In our admiration, we copied St. Onge's type and called Doner, Donner."
Vincent in Arles: Four Letters to Theo
Velp, Netherlands: Catharijne Press, 2003. Approximately 1 7/8 x 2 1/2 ". 59 pp. DELUXE LIMITED EDITION of 20 copies (I - XX), this being #IV. Blue cloth slipcase containing a 5 euro coin showing van Gogh's portrait made up of the letters of his name; the coin was issued in 2003 by the Royal Dutch Mint in honor of the 150th birthday of Vincent van Gogh (1853 - 1890). Tan cloth over boards, blue endpapers, tipped in frontispiece and tipped in illustrations (color plates), printed in 6 point Swift font, in fine condition.
According to the publisher's introduction, "This miniature book is a tribute to the remarkable artist, reviled during his life, celebrated after his death." Even though Van Gogh wrote over 200 letters while staying in Arles, these 4 letters to his brother Theo give us some insight into his thought processes during this zenith of his career.
Water
New Britain, CT: REM Miniatures, 2003. 2 1/4 x 1 5/8". (vi), 4 pp, (1) page. LIMITED EDITION of 100 copies. Black buckram with hand-colored paper label on upper cover , cover label & frontispiece by Seth Massmann, hand coloring by Eloise & Robert Massmann. A fine copy in stiff gray paper publisher's sleeve.
From the proceedings of the Company of Amateur Brewers, 1932.
Wildflowers of the John Muir Trail
Santa Cruz, CA: Peter & Donna Thomas, 2002. (40) pp. Approximately 2 1/8 x 2 5/8". LIMITED EDITION of 150 copies, this being #60. Green painted handmade papers over boards, title and illustration label on sleeve cover, inside white paper made by Peter from cotton rag and Donna's hiking shirt, digital printing with reproduction of text handwritten by Donna, reproductions of thirty-nine watercolor paintings by Donna, numbered on the colophon, in fine condition. (P&D Thomas Bibliography A109)
Donna Thomas and Kate McLaughlin hiked the John Muir trail in 2002. They identified flowers and Donna printed them on the spot. This beautiful book was a Miniature Book Society Distinguished Award winner in 2003.
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).