New Arrivals
Nelly, Poet Nobel Laureate, Homage to Nelly Sachs
Evanston, IL: Press of Ward Schori, 1988. 32 pp. Approximately 2 9/16 x 2 1/16". LIMITED EDITION of 200 copies. Black leather over boards with copper gilt lettering on front cover and spine, frontispiece, bound by Hugo Grummich, designed and hand typography by the publisher, some foxing to top edge, otherwise in near fine condition. (Bradbury, Schori 51)
Nelly Sachs (1891 - 1970) was a Swedish poet and playwright of Jewish German birth. She was greatly impacted by the rise of the Nazis during World War II and escaped Germany only one week before having to report to a concentration camp. Her poetry is very lyrical and poignant. She was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1966.
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.
Chronicles of Texas, A Sesquicentennial Momento, 1836 - 1986
(San Antonio, TX: Windcrest Press, 1986). (29) pp. 3 x 2 1/4". LIMITED EDITION of 25 copies, this being #19. Blue cloth over boards with metal flag on front cover, postage stamps tipped in, illustrations, signed by the author, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Windcrest Press, 2)
Valentine J. Poska is a librarian by profession who also publishes miniature books under his Windcrest Press Imprint. He also wrote other miniature books published by other publishers. He was an early member of the Miniature Book Society. This little book chronicles many important and trivia related events in the history of Texas, starting with Texas gaining its independence from Mexico and ending with Texas Sesquicentennial (with Dallas Cowboys superbowl wins and a political figures sprinkled in).
Carletta; or "Going to Sing in Heaven"
Boston: American Tract Society, (ca 1850). 64 pp. 1 1/2 x 2". Brown cloth over blind stamped boards, gilt title and design on cover with gilt decorations on spine, owner's name on two front free endpapers, all edges gilt, text block attached upside down to cover, some foxing throughout, otherwise in near fine condition.
A juvenile Christian story, touching on the typical topics of salvation, Christian life and conversion. No date on this publication, likely because the tracts were often reprinted.
Moment-Lexikon, und Fremdwörterbuch
Berlin: Hugo Steinitz, (1900). 424 pp. 1 3/8 x 2 1/16". Red cloth binding with gilt lettering on cover, spine creased, missing the accompanying green metal case, otherwise a very good copy.
A two-columned miniature German dictionary, in microscopic type.
Shaker Herbs: An Essay by Cynthia Elyce Rubin with 19th-century Shaker Herb Labels
(Northampton, MA): Catawba Press, 1984. Approximately 2 1/4 x 2 3/4 ". 40 pp. LIMITED EDITION of 155 copies, this being #36. Printed green paper boards with title and decorative border on cover, labels tipped in as frontispiece and throughout the text, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Catawba Press 1)
The only miniature book printed by Barbara Blumenthal of Catawba Press, the essay has been reprinted with the permission of the Museum of American Folk Art in New York City. The essay starts with a short history of the Shaker religion and their industries, which included agriculture, medicine, seeds, and foodstuffs. The latter part of the essay details the medicinal properties of the herbs that the Shakers used in their medicinal recipes. A beautiful little books, interspersed throughout with lovely Shaker herb labels for added interest.
Adlai: The Wit and Wisdom of Adlai Ewing Stevenson
Sausalito, CA: Castle Baird Press, 1993. 32 pp. Approximately 2 x 2 1/2 ". LIMITED EDITION of 75 copies, this being #32. Printed paper boards with design and lettering by Susan Acker and Mary McDermott at the Feathered Serpent Press, printed endpapers with the United Nations emblem repeated, US Postage stamp of Adlai Stevenson tipped in at front, Doonesbury cartoon by Gary Trudeau folded in, signed by both the author and publishers, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Castle Baird 3)
A brief but compassionate bio about Adlai Stevenson II (1900 - 1965), a Governor of Illinois, a U.S. Presidential Candidate, and a U.N. Ambassador.
Pax in Any Language Spells U.N.
Newport Beach, CA: Perky Co., 1984. Approximately 2 1/2 x 3 ". 27 pp. LIMITED EDITION of 200 copies, this being #101. Blue cloth over boards with gilt title and author on cover, letterpress by Castle Press, tipped-in flag reproduction, color illustrations, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Perky Co. 1)
From the colophon, "This book printed in the year of the 1984 California Olympics". It is the only book listed as being issued by this press, according to Bradbury. It is a sweet little patriotic book with a history of the United Nations and what it stands for.
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.
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.