New Arrivals
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.
The Jumblies
(Shaker Heights, OH): Wind & Harlot, 1991. (38 pp.) 2 7/8 x 2 1/4"; LIMITED EDITION of 74 copies, this being # 17. Transluscent paper protecting pale green boards with printed title label on spine, marbled endpapers, 7 hand-colored illustrations by Bonnie Baris, printed on handmade Hayle paper from Barcham Green in England, in fine condition.
A charming little poem, and rather fanciful as well, about some people traveling on the sea in a sieve to the land of the jumblies. (Bradbury, Wind & Harlot, 10)
Crumbs From The Master's Table
New York: D. Appleton, 1831. 192 pp. Approximately 2 1/4 x 2 3/4". Blue cloth over boards, paper label on spine, corner bumping with small portion of boards showing through, otherwise in very good + condition. (Bradbury, D. Appleton, 1; Welsh 4865).
Daniel Appleton (1785-1849) began publishing in New York in 1831 and his first imprint was this miniature book. There are two editions of this book, both with 1831 on the title page. One edition has numbered pages and "stereotype edition" on the title page. The other edition has unnumbered pages and no mention of "stereotype edition". It is not possible to know which version came first. This edition was 2,000 copies and was very popular as inspirational books had a good market at that time.
E-I-E-I-O (Eileen, Eileen, Oh!)
Hyattsville, MD: Rebecca Press and Poole Press, 1992. (20) pp. Approximately 2 3/8 x 2 5/8". LIMITED EDITION of 201 copies. Stiff printed paper wrapprers, stitched. A fine copy. (Bradbury, Rebecca Press, 24)
A collaboration between two well-known miniature publishers, humorous in nature, published for the Conclave 10 of the Miniature Book Society.
The Friar of Rubygill
n.p.: The Cherub Press, 1987. (6) pp. Approximately 2 3/4 x 2 3/8". LIMITED EDITION of 65 copies. Decorated handmade paper over stiff wrappers, printed paper lable on front cover, Hand-colored frontis by Kim Butcher. A fine copy, attractively printed.
Cherub Press is the publisher of the journal KABBALAH and many books and editions of Jewish mystical literature. This particular little story is an excerpt from Thomas L. Peacock's novel, "Maid Marion" (1822).
Eulogies to the late President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Delivered in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol, November 24, 1963
New Britain, CT: J.L.Kapica, 1964. 30 pp. Approximately 2 1/2 x 2". LIMITED EDITION, although this is not one of the 50 numbered copies. Black leather, gold lettering, a.e.g., marbled endpapers, portrait frontis. A near fine copy. Not in Bradbury.
Contributions by Mike Mansfield, Earl Warren, and John McCormack.
American Folk Art on U.S. Postage Stamps
Sugar Land, TX: Arm & Hammer Press, 2006. Unpaginated. Approximately 3 x 2 3/8". LIMITED EDITION of 35 copies, this being #5. Pictorial boards, illustrated in color, paper label on spine. A fine copy.
Folk art (defined as art that is created by individuals who were not academically trained and that adheres to the aesthetic standards of the small communities where it was produced) includes amish quilts, native american pottery, woodcarved figures, etc.
Out of Ovid's Metamorphoses: Icarus
Shaker Heights, OH: Wind & Harlot Press, 1983. (20) pp. Approximately 2 7/8 x 2 1/8". LIMITED EDITION of 27 copies, this being #1. Tan paper boards, printed paper label on spine, French-fold, illustrated with line-drawing printed in red. A very fine copy, handsomely printed. (Bradbury, Wind & Harlot Press, 4)
The Metamorphoses is a Latin narrative poem by the Roman poet Ovid, comprised of over 250 myths. This is the story of Icarus, whose winged downfall was caused by pride.
Mr. H. in America
Los Angeles, CA: Dawson's Book Shop, 1981. 23 pp. Approximately 2 7/8 x 2 1/4". LIMITED EDITION of 150 copies. Green leather with gilt lettering by Bela Blau, printed by the author from zinc plates mae by Pall Bohme, frontispiece also by Pall Bohme. A fine copy. (Bradbury, Dawson's, 67)
A little bit of writing about Charles Lamb and his work as an author.