New Arrivals
A Papermaking Safari to Africa
Santa Cruz: Peter & Donna Thomas, 1995. 2 1/2 x 3"; LIMITED EDITION of 100 of which the first 25 were deluxe editions, this being # 85, a regular edition with illustrations. Bound in crossed stab binding of handmade "Zebra Stripe" boards in a portfolio style case, two paper samples made in in Africa are missing, 15 line-drawn illustrations by Donna Thomas, letterpress printed on Peter's handmade "Zebra Stripe" paper, slight bowing to inside pages, in near fine condition. (Bradbury, Peter & Donna Thomas, 46; P&D Thomas Bibliography A80)
This is a story written by Peter Thomas during a trip in February 1995 about book and papermaking and the general state of affairs in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Psalm 128
Santa Cruz, CA: The Good Book Press, 1985. (14) pp. Later edition. Approximately 1 3/4 x 2 7/16". LIMITED EDITION of 26 copies, this being # I. Brown leather over boards, gilt title on spine, inside white paper handmade by Peter, typography hand-set Barnhard Modern, illustrated with Peter's ornaments, numbered on the colophon, in fine condition. (P&D Thomas Bibliography A25)
This was the second book made for Donna's birthday. A second edition of 26 was printed for Mary Helen Dawson later that year. It was the same book in all respects except for changes to the colophon.
Old Testament Stories
Buffalo, NY: Breed, Butler & Co., 1862. 64 pp. Approximately 1 5/8 x 2 1/8". Brown pictorial gilt cloth with minor rubbing on edges, small spot on rear cover, old tape repairs on front and rear paste-down endpapers, all edges gilt, in very good condition. (Bradbury Antique: Breed, Butler & Co., 14)
The Aunt Fanny and Aunt Laura series resulted in thirty miniature children's books, which are high spots in any miniatur book collection. Frances Elizabeth Barrow, the author of these books, was a popular children's book author of the time. All of the books are attractively found in highly gilt cloth. There are five series and each series has six titles. As each series was published, the books were smaller in size.
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.
There are Names for Those Acts (Which We Long to Perform)
Lake City, CO: Ravenpress, 2001. (Box) Approximately 1 1/2 x 2 5/8 x 13/16". LIMITED EDITION of 25 copies, this being #11. Outer box is dark wood with brass decorations, in fine condition; Accordion hinged boards with paste and marbled papers, book opens to 2 x 9", color laserprint from original watercolors, numbered and signed on the colophon by the publisher, in fine condition.
This is the first book in the miniature pillow book series. Based on the traditional instructional pillow books given couples on their wedding night, this two-sided accordion contains six secually explicit watercolors paired with six physical and spiritual descriptions of the 'embraces of love' taken from ancient Asian texts. Alicia Bailey began publishing under the Ravenpress imprint in 1996. Ravenpress publications are held in private, public and special collections worldwide. Bailey thinks of the artists' book works she creates as interactive sculptures realized in the form of the book. She works in a wide variety of materials, including those not often associated with the book form, thus necessitating structural redesign and innovations.
Belladonna
Aurora, CO: Ravenpress, 2005. Approximately 1 3/8 x 1 3/8". LIMITED EDITION of 25 copies, this being #9. Cosmetics case, with printed foil label, slightly worn with small bits of foil missing, in very good condition; Three accordion miniature books have polymer clay covers with laser print transfer, illustrated, numbered and signed on the colophon on the back of the case by the publisher, in fine condition.
Created as part of a series using cosmetic tools and containers as structure, this piece contributes to an ongoing commentary on the harms of the cosmetic industry. Three accordion books detail various aspects of the Belladonna plant (Deadly Nightshade). This plant, although toxic, has been used medicinally and as an aid to beauty as its ingestion enlarges the pupils of the eye (a look that indicates sexual arousal and is known as 'bedroom eyes'). Alicia Bailey began publishing under the Ravenpress imprint in 1996. Ravenpress publications are held in private, public and special collections worldwide. Bailey thinks of the artists' book works she creates as interactive sculptures realized in the form of the book. She works in a wide variety of materials, including those not often associated with the book form, thus necessitating structural redesign and innovations.
Re-rooting
Lake City, CO: Ravenpress, 1997. [18] pp. Approximately 1 3/8 x 1 3/8". LIMITED EDITION of 26 copies, this being #26. Paper covered box with wood, shell and bone sculpture on lid in fine condition; miniature book has paper covered board with bone, seed, ribbon closure, 5 illustrations, laserprint on paste paper and chiri tissue, signed and numbered on the colophon by the publisher, in fine conditon.
The text is excerpted from Donna Jackson's poem Re-rooting, © 1991. Bailey says that this book references her own awareness of union with earth and questions the notion of ever leaving the natural world. Alicia Bailey began publishing under the Ravenpress imprint in 1996. Ravenpress publications are held in private, public and special collections worldwide. Bailey thinks of the artists' book works she creates as interactive sculptures realized in the form of the book. She works in a wide variety of materials, including those not often associated with the book form, thus necessitating structural re-design and innovations.
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.
ABC of Birds
Freeville, New York: Lilliput Press, 2020. Limited edition of 25 including 5 deluxe (already sold) in cabinet of curiosity format. 2 x 3 x 1.5" miniature book, flutter construction; 30 pp., digitally printed with pigmented inks, 26 Individual collages with text on reverse side, 28 pocket pages (collages plus title page and colophon) with inserts, signed and numbered by the artist, all in fine condition.
A lovely little abcedarium, cleverly constructed and beautifully illustrated throughout. Note that the species of bird does not necessarily coincide with the alphabet page it is on.
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.