Products
Hinky Haiku
Dallas, TX: Aredian Press, 2016. Approximately 3 x 2", oblong. First edition, LIMITED EDITION of 20 copies, this being #4. Design binding by Patrice Miller of Aredian Press, Gold and black checkerboard paper over boards, traditional stab binding, beautiful black and gold endpapers, Japanese mulberry paper, signed and numbered by the author on the colophon, fine condition.
Overwrought by grade-schoolers and wanna-be poets, the haiku has been abused unintentionally for far too long. First attempted to distract themselves during an excruciating flight, the authors acknowledge that the haiku in its purest expression is both lyrical and majestic. These are neither, but offer commentary on modern life.
Holy Bible. New Testament.
Tokyo: Japan Bible Society, 1982. Black leather cover with blind stamped title and decorations, 27 x 34 mm, 409 pp., printed by photo offset at Toppan Printing Co., miniature bookplate and bookstore labels present, Japanese text, slipped into in a gold metal case with with red and gold cross decoration and chain. All housed in a red velveteen box with magnifying glass and brochure. Limited to 1,000 copies. The complete package, including original manufacturer's packaing box, all beautifully executed and in fine condition.
The Toppan Printing Company in Japan has long been printers of the world's smallest books with many Guiness Book World Record holders.
I Love You
Munich: Waldmann and Pfitzner, 1952. Approximately 5 x 5 mm. Red leather binding with gilt decorations on covers, housed in a Plexiglass case with an inset magnifying glass, printed in 4-point type in nine languages: English, German, French, Italian, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, Portuguese and Spanish, in fine condition. (Bromer & Edison, P. 117)
This book was part of a 4 volume collection called "Die kleinsten Bücher der Welt" which translates to The Smallest Books in the World. These were commissioned by Walter Schatzki, a Jewish bookseller who settled in New York City in 1937 after fleeing Nazi Germany. He is sometimes attributed as the publisher. Schatzki became an authority on rare children's books and assembled one of the most famous catalogs of children's books ever created by an American bookseller.
Italia
Seattle, WA: Sam Garriott Antonacci, 2019. One-of-a-Kind Artist Book. Single sheet fold-out pasted down to rear endpaper which shows mosaic illustration of Italy in prismacolor and ink on Thai Unryu paper, 2 1/4 x 2", blue cloth over boards with illustrated front panel; housed in matching clamshell box with layered illustrated cover, completed with two more boxes with printed book details and label, all in fine condition.
According to Sam Garriott Antonacci: "I see many of my books as histories or small personal documents of people, places, or objects." This miniature book is a beautiful homage to Italy, done in the soft Tuscan colors you would expect representing the Italian countryside, with excellent detail paid to the craftsmanship of the enclosing boards and boxes. Sam primarily does one-of-a-kind and limited edition books, mainly miniatures. She was raised in the Ohio River Valley on a rural farm so solitude and nature inform her work. She went to the University of Indiana at Bloomington and art school in Seattle, where she settled when she wasn't traveling - a favorite pastime of hers that also greatly influences her work.
Journal of My 45th Ascension
Oakham, MA: Oakham Bindery, 1974. 77 pp. 2 7/8 x 2 1/8". LIMITED EDITION of 500 copies, this being #44. Decorated paper boards with quarter-bound leather, gilt title on spine, patterned endpapers, letterpress by Darrell Hyder, spine ends a little rubbed, otherwise in near fine condition. (Bradbury, Oakham Bindery, 2)
A lovely book about the first balloon flight in the United States, as evidenced by citizens and dignitaries, including George Washington.
L'Emploi du Temps ou les Enfans Modeles
Paris: chez Marcilly, ca. 1830. Approximately 1 15/16 x 2 3/4". 128 pp. Pale pink embossed paper boards, no slipcase, script title on front cover, engraved vignette on back cover and title page, 7 plates, some minor spotting, in French, fine condition. (Welsh 2637)
A beautiful scarce book about moral tales for children, published by leading Parisian publisher Marcilly, responsible for many of the most beautiful children's books of the period.
Little Tales (4 volumes)
Guben & London: F. Fechner and A. & Joseph Myers & Co., [ca. 1861]. Approximately 2 x 3 1/4". Later printing. Four little volumes, each with a unique decorated cover which includes a textured piece of fake greenery pasted down, all four have a previous owner's name in ink on front free endpaper, all have some moderate wear, all have a beautiful colored frontispiece illustration and 3 of the volumes have another illustrated plate, in very good condition. (Welsh 2800, Spielman 152)
These miniature books were most likely printed in Germany for the English juvenile market. According to Spielman, Fenelon (1651 - 1715) was a famous French ecclesiastic who tutored Louis XIV's grandson, the Duke of Burgundy. It is no surprise then, that these little tales are moral and religious teachable moments for young children. The illustrations have "quite exceptional charm" and are beautifully colored.
Little Tree
Dallas, TX: Aredian Press, 2022. Approximately 2 x 3". LIMITED EDITION of 10 copies, this being #6. Design binding by Patrice Miller of Aredian Press, red and gold patterned paper over boards with paper label on removable band, red felt spine, book is not rectangular - rather top right edge is slanted in, Christmas tree inside opens up, poem inside enclosed in its own little section, signed and numbered by the publisher on the colophon, in fine condition.
Lovely poem by e.e. cummings (1894 - 1962) about how cherished a Christmas tree is. 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.
London Almanack for the Year of Christ 1818
(London): (Printed for the Company of Stationers), 1818. Unpaginated. Approximately 1 1/4 x 2 1/4". Original red morocco slipcase with onlays in cream and green, gilt-tooled throughout, in fine condition; Pink outer wraps, most likely replacing a cover that usually matched the slipcase, first page called "Common Notes", all edges gilt, a good copy.
These miniature booklets have been published from the late 17th century until the Victorian era, and give monthly information for eclipses, phases of the moon, saints days, as well as lists of Royals and Lord Mayors, bank transfer days and other banking rates. In this copy, there is a folding view of the Royal Dramatic College.
London Almanack for the Year of Christ 1868
(London): (Printed for the Company of Stationers), (1867). Unpaginated. Approximately 1 1/2 x 2 1/4". Original red morocco with onlays in cream and green, gilt-tooled throughout, some parts of covers and spine missing, all edges gilt, gift inscription on rear endpaper, matching slipcase partly faded and a few chips to edges, else a very good copy.
These miniature booklets have been published from the late 17th century until the Victorian era, and give monthly information for eclipses, phases of the moon, saints days, as well as lists of Royals and Lord Mayors, bank transfer days and other banking rates. In this copy, there is a folding view of the Royal Dramatic College.