New Arrivals
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.
Alphabet People
Santa Cruz, CA: Peter & Donna Thomas, 1989. 64 pp. 1 7/8 x 2 3/8"; LIMITED EDITION of 200 copies, this being #141. Printed paper over boards with illustrated paste-down label on cover, letterpress printed on Peter's handmade paper, illustrated by Tanya Thomas, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Peter & Donna Thomas, 42)
An interesting ABC book where the illustrations are based on Tanya Thomas, (the daughter of Peter and Donna), twisting her body into the shapes of letters of the alphabet and creating a drawing for each.
Heraldry
Chicago, IL: Doris. V. Welsh, 1956. 33 pp. Approximately 1 1/2 x 1 7/8". LIMITED EDITION of 150 copies. Gold printed paper boards, 3/4 bound with black cloth, printed title label on spine, hand-colored illustrations, minor edge rubbing, in near fine condition. (Bradbury, Petit Oiseau Press, 7).
Doris Welsh was probably the greatest authority about miniature books in the second half of the 20th century. She collected, wrote about, and published miniature books entirely by herself. Born in 1907 in Pittsburgh, and after receiving her A.B, B.L.S. and M.S. degrees from different colleges, she eventually joined the Newberry Library in 1947 as cataloguer. She remained at the Library until 1970 when she retired. She started publishing her own books in 1952. (MBS newsletter, 11/2013). This book was hand set, printed & bound by Doris Welsh. This interesting little book provides an overview of the history of heraldry and touch on succession, women, and English vs. American heraldry.
An Incident of Border Warfare
Chicago, IL: Le Petit Oiseau Press, 1958. (26) pp. Approximately 1 9/16 x 2". LIMITED EDITION of 50 copies, this being #50. Pale green printed paper boards, 3/4 bound with black cloth, printed title label on spine, black and white illustrations throughout, in near fine condition. (Bradbury, Petit Oiseau Press, 9).
Doris Welsh was probably the greatest authority about miniature books in the second half of the 20th century. She collected, wrote about, and published miniature books entirely by herself. Born in 1907 in Pittsburgh, and after receiving her A.B, B.L.S. and M.S. degrees from different colleges, she eventually joined the Newberry Library in 1947 as cataloguer. She remained at the Library until 1970 when she retired. She started publishing her own books in 1952. (MBS newsletter, 11/2013). This book was hand set, printed & bound by Doris Welsh. This interesting little miniature tells a story of Indian and pioneer conflict in West Virginia in 1786.
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.
London in Miniature. With Engravings of its Public Buildings and Antiquities, from Drawings by Alfred Mills
London: Darton, Harvey, & Darton, and J. Harris, 1814. 96 pp. 2-1/2 x 2-3/8". 47 plates. Original printed pink boards, worn and lightly toned, interior bright with only occasional minor soil. Welsh and Bondy describe this as having 48 plates, but records in OCLC and elsewhere indicate that it is complete in 47 plates. In Very Good condition. (Welsh 4988; Bondy 65)
One of a series of titles illustrated with engravings of drawings by Alfred Mills, and issued in either these slightly cheaper boards or in roan. Includes brief introductions and detailed engravings for many major landmarks, including London Bridge, the Monument, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Royal Academy, the Admiralty, etc., as well as Whittington's and Oliver Cromwell's houses.
The Compleat Angler, or the Contemplative Man's Recreation, being a discourse of rivers, fish-ponds, fish and fishing
London: Henry Frowde, ca 1900. Approximately 1 1/4 x 2". 588 pp. Rare in Miniature Book format. Black leather over boards with gilt title in panel on spine, gilt top edge, frontispiece with no tissue guard and minor tear, Oxford University Press Warehouse Amen Corner E.C., based on fifth edition on India paper, final page separated but still included, in very good+ condition. (Welsh 7030, Bondy p. 117, Coigney 204)
Subtitled "The Contemplative Man's Recreation, Being a Discourse of Rivers, Fishponds, Fish and Fishing, not unworthy the Perusal of most Anglers." The Compleat Angler is a practical guide to the art of angling, or fishing; however, it also has political and historical underpinnings. What sets "The Compleat Angler" apart from other practical handbooks and puts it firmly in the realm of literature is its delightful style that is technically polished and charming to read and its abundance of insight into human nature.
The Musical Fantasies of L. Frank Baum
Lake Worth, FL: Ford Press, 1969. 2 1/2 x 2". 184 pp. LIMITED EDITION of 750 copies (according to Bradbury), this being #113. Black cloth over boards, gilt title on cover, gilt author descriptions on rear cover but slightly blurry, signed by the author on the colophon, illustrated, in near fine condition. (Bradbury, Ford Press 3)
L. Frank Baum (1856 - 1919) was an American author, mainly known for his Wizard of Oz books. Turns out that Baum also had a lively theatrical career as well. This little book tells all about those productions and includes reproductions of posters, stagebills, etc. Also included is a complete checklist of all of Baum's works. A wonderful book for any Baum collector.
Lord of Lackawaxen Creek
Salisbury, CT: Lime Rock Press, 1981. 3 x 2 1/2". 64 pp. LIMITED EDITION of 1,001 copies. Marbled paper wrappers, printed label, illustrated by Catryna Ten Eyck, signed by the illustrator on the colophon, printed by offset lithography, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Lime Rock 12)
Pearl Zane Grey (1872 - 1939) was an American dentist and author, best known for his Western genre writings. This little story is from early on in his career when he published in magazines. It tells of his fishing trip on the Delaware River with two of his brothers and relays his sense of wonder, respect and excitement that he felt toward nature and all of its creatures.
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.