New Arrivals
The Book of Proper English Tea
Agoura Hills, CA: [Barbara J. Raheb] Pennyweight Press, 1991. 48 pp. Approximately 5/8 x 15/16". LIMITED EDITION of 300 copies, this being #100. Blue pyroxylin cover with gilt titles on spine and cover, previous owner's bookplate on front free endpaper, marbled endpapers, illustrated, signed and numbered on the colophon, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Barbara J. Raheb, 420)
This is a lovely little book that talks about the tradition of English tea. It also has some recipes of sandwiches that are traditionally served with the tea. Dedicated to her friend and fellow bibliophile Grace Broeker, who was one of the country's major collectors of microminiature books and owned more than 600 of Barbara's books. If not for the distance apart, Barbara says they would have shared many cups of tea together.
The Book of Hours, a textual explanation of 15th century illuminated manuscripts
Van Nuys, CA: Barbara J. Raheb, 1979. 72 pp. Approximately 3/4 x 1 3/16". LIMITED EDITION of 300 copies, this being #91. Black leather cover with gilt titles on spine and gilt & jewel decorated cover, previous owner's bookplate on front free endpaper, decorative endpapers, illustrated, numbered on the colophon, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Barbara J. Raheb, 113)
Out of this edition of 300, some copies had hand-colored illustrations but this is not one of them. This is a brief explanation of the 15th century manuscript known as "The Book of Hours" They were a remarkable synthesis of the religious, artistic and secular life of the period. They were as much a status symbol of their time as they are today.
Bambi. A Life in the Woods.
Agoura Hills, CA: [Barbara J. Raheb] Pennyweight Press, 1997. 48 pp. Approximately 15/16 x 5/8". LIMITED EDITION of 300 copies, this being #24. Brown pyroxylin, lettering and design in gilt on cover and spine, previous owner's bookplate on front free endpaper, illustrated, signed and numbered on the colophon. A fine copy. (Bradbury, Barbara J. Raheb, 482)
Felix Salten was born Siegmund Salzmann in Pest, Austria-Hungary (1869 - 1945). He was an Austrian author and literary critic but is best known for Bambi, which was adapted into an animated feature will by Walt Disney in 1942.
An ABC of Flower Fairies
Tarzana, CA: [Barbara J. Raheb] Pennyweight Press, (1986). 32 pp. Approximately 5/8 x 15/16". LIMITED EDITION of 300 copies, this being #257. Red pyroxylin, lettering and design in gilt on cover and spine, previous owner's bookplate on front free endpaper, illustrated, signed and numbered on the colophon. A fine copy. (Bradbury, Barbara J. Raheb, 366)
Cecily Mary Barker first published her Flower Fairies in 1923. They have botanically accurate drawings along with beautiful fairy images, based on real children from Cecily's sister's nursery school. Enchanting!
1890 Almanac
Tarzana, CA: Barbara J. Raheb, 1980. 32 pp. Approximately 5/8 x 15/16". LIMITED EDITION of 300 copies. Red pyroxylin, lettering and design in gilt on cover and spine, previous owner's bookplate on front free endpaper, illustrated. A fine copy. (Bradbury, Barbara J. Raheb, 183)
A beautiful miniature reproduction of the original Piso pocket almanac.
Confieso
(Brooklyn): Soraya Marcano, 1996. (8) pp. Approximately 1 13/16 x 3". LIMITED EDITION of 3, this being #1. Layered printed paper and cloth over boards, accordion fold, illustrated, a short lyrical poem in Spanish, signed by the publisher, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Marcano 5)
Soraya Marcano was born in Puerto Rico in 1965 and currently resides in Brooklyn, New York. Her work includes mixed media, writing, objects, and digital work. Marcano's scarce miniature artist's books are all written, illustrated, printed and bound by her using various techniques including collagraph, linocut, handmade paper, stenciling, etching, and computer generated images and type. Her mixed media artwork has been exhibited internationally and it is represented in various public and private collections. A beautiful book with a lyrical poem about the author confessing to having fully loved and lived life.
Old Christmas
Haslet, TX: Tony Firman Bookbinding, 2011. Approximately 2 1/4x 3". First edition, LIMITED EDITION of 12 copies, this being #4. Illustrated paper over boards with green cloth spine which is slightly faded, color illustrated endpapers, numerous black and white illustrations, signed and numbered by the author on the colophon, in fine condition. Accompanying this book is a similarly bound book of the same shape and size, dated 2011 on the front cover, with a green ribbon for hanging as an ornament, blank pages.
This lovely book is from the original edition by Washington Irving (1783 - 1859), an American short-story writer, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat of the early 19th century, published by Macmillan & Co., London, 1886. This festive work, deserves to be a holiday tradition alongside Dickens in the celebrations of the winter solstice. While Tony Firman had been publishing prior to 2010, this is the year he began focusing on miniature books and established his publishing business, Plum Park Press, making small editions and selling them, issuing at least one a month. Firman's book, The Codex, recently won a distinguished award at Miniature Book Society's miniature book competition in 2024. His books are in many reputable institutions and private collections.
A Floral Fantasy in an Old English Garden
Haslet, TX: Plum Park Press, 2011. Approximately 2 1/4 x 3". First edition, LIMITED EDITION of 12 copies, this being #2. Illustrated cloth over boards, floral illustrated endpapers, color illustrations, signed and numbered by the author on the colophon, fine condition.
This lovely book is from the original edition by Walter Crane (1845 - 1915), an English artist and book illustrator, published by Harper and Brothers, London, 1899, set forth in verses & coloured designs. While Tony Firman had been publishing prior to 2010, this is the year he began focusing on miniature books and established his publishing business, Plum Park Press, making small editions and selling them, issuing at least one a month. Firman's book, The Codex, recently won a distinguished award at Miniature Book Society's miniature book competition in 2024. His books are in many reputable institutions and private collections.
Ovid in Latin & English
Santa Cruz, CA: The Good Book Press, 1983. [14] pp. Approximately 1 3/8 x 1 7/8". LIMITED EDITION of 150 copies, this being #142. Quarter bound in black Morocco leather and blue handmade paper over boards, gilt stamped title on cover letterpress, white paper handmade by Peter, two linoeum cut illustrations by Donna, black and red printing, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Peter & Donna Thomas, 10; P&D Thomas Bibliography A26)
Peter and Donna Thomas, well-known book artists, authors, and paper-makers, have been operating their private press since 1976. "The text is an excerpt...'add little to little and there will be a great heap.' We were invited to the first gathering of miniature-book publishers, held the summer of 1984 in Tipp City, Ohio. A fellow printer, Gene Holtan of Green Gables Press, suggested the text after we told him about the event and our plans to make a 'keepsake' book for it." From the bibliography of Peter and Donnas Thomas.
Twas the Night Before Christmas
Santa Cruz, CA: Peter & Donna Thomas, 1982. 30 pp. Approximately 3 x 2 1/2". LIMITED EDITION of 200 copies, this being #14. Red paper over boards, title on label on cover, eight linoleum cut illustrations by Donna, illustrated red paper wrapper, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Peter & Donna Thomas, 44; P&D Thomas Bibliography A77)
Peter and Donna Thomas, well-known book artists, authors, and paper-makers, have been operating their private press since 1976. A beautiful and artistic book, this story was first published in 1823 anonymously and later was credited to the author in 1837. Perhaps one of the best-known poems ever written, it is responsible for the image and characteristics of Santa Claus that is still prevalent today. From the bibliography: "As a child I had a copy of the St. Onge edition of 'The Night Before Christmas,' illustrated by Tasha Tudor, and we wanted to make our own version. In our admiration, we copied St. Onge's type and called Doner, Donner."