New Arrivals
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.
Shakespeare's Seasons
(Manteno, IL): Bronte Press, 1998. (28) pp. Approximately 2 3/8 x 3". LIMITED EDITION of 60 copies, this being #32. Marbled paper boards, calligraphy and illustrations by Suzanne Pruchnicki, hand-colored by Suzanne and Paul Pruchnicki, signed by the artist/printer. A fine copy, delightfully done. (Bradbury, Bronte Press #50)
Exceprts from Shakespeare's verses on the happenings of the seasons, all beautifully hand-colored.
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.
Reminiscence of a Missal
[Czechoslovakia]: Jan Vrtilek, [1990]. Approximately 3/4 x 1". Green cloth over boards for the clamshell case, blind-stamped design on front cover, black velvet interior with indentation for the miniature book, tipped in typed note describing this as a Christmas /New Year gift for 1990-1991; Red leather over boards with gilt decorations and borders to both covers and spine, all edges gilt, miniature blindstamp on the lower edge of the inner rear cover: J.V., in fine condition.
Scarce miniature edition, made from cut up leaves from old books, most likely an 18th century Roman Missal, complete with some ornaments.
Árpádok : I. Andrástól I. Gézáig (1046-1077)
Budapest: Pátria Nyomda, 1988. 433 pp. Approximately 1 1/2 x 1 3/4". LIMITED EDITION of 400-600 copies, this being #179. Brown leather with beautifully designed and colorful enamelled metal plaque edged in gilt decoration on front cover, title in gilt on spine, gilt decoration on back cover, decorative endpapers, 7 full-color illustrations and 4 tinted one with two folding diagrams, text in Hungarian, in fine condition.
This is volume 14 of the Kings of Hungary series. Only 3 Worldcat Holdings at this time.
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.
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.
Miniature Book Society Conclave XIV Keepsake
San Diego, CA: Iron Bear Press, 1996. 2 1/2 x3/4"; Gold board with paste-down label and attached miniature metal type piece, in fine condition.
Produced as a keepsake in a limited edition for the 14th MBS Conclave, held in San Francisco, CA, in fine condition.
Miniature Book Society Conclave XXVI Keepsakes
Various: Various, 2008. Fifteen miniature keepsakes made in limited editions from various publishers, along with a printed MBS auction list, all produced as keepsakes for the 26th MBS Conclave, held in San Diego, California, in fine condition.
Keepsake items from some of the best miniature book presses in the trade. Included are the following: Leonard Goldstein memorial by Gray Goose Press, book quotes ring-bound by Kathy King, book-shaped eraser by Neale M. Albert, Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue by Janet King, Places of Interest in San Diego USA by Angel Press, miniature conclave pocket program, San Diego! by Muriel Underwood, miniature broadside by Blue Wave Bar & Grill, pamphlet by Frank & Jeanette Anderson, San Diego Marine Corps Base 1945 by Gray Goose Press, Silent Friends by The Bronte Press, bookmark by The Final Score, Miniature Bookplates by Darlene Cordova, Make-Your-Own Keepsake Kit by Karen Nyman, Button Book by Jan Becker, and a detailed record of the 84 items offered up for the live auction during the conclave along with some various publications about San Diego.
Miniature Book Society Conclave XIX Keepsakes
Various: Various, 2001. Fourteen miniature keepsakes made in limited editions from various publishers, along with a printed keepsake list and an Indianapolis 500 Mattel Hot Wheel race car, all produced as keepsakes for the 19th MBS Conclave, held in Indianapolis, Indiana, in fine condition.
Keepsake items from some of the best miniature book presses in the trade. Included are the following: Decorative pamphlet by Kathy King, Woodcut illustration by Peter & Donna Thomas, Laugh if You Like My Dowdy Looks by Coffey Grounds Press, Pense'es du XIXe Siecle by Kundig Press, A Homophonic Aesop by The Final Score, Cooking Under the Stars by Peter Grant (signed & numbered), Some Facts About Indiana by Frank J. Anderson, Wander the World while you Wander Indiana by Gray Goose Press, Beyond the Brickyard by Evron Collins (signed), Indiana All-'Round Tractor by Janet King, Not in Adomeit by Robert Massmann, Good Book Good Friend miniature bookmark by Patty & Gordon Marchal, Fishes in the Wabash by Brown Trout Press (numbered), Bread by Crimson Lion Press, printed list of most keepsake items along with bibliographic information, along with an Indianapolis 500 Mattel Hot Wheel race car and printed keepsake cloth bag.