New Arrivals
Love, 1 Corinthians: 13
Santa Cruz, CA: Peter Thomas, 1989. (14) pp. accordion fold. Approximately 15/16 x 13/16", oblong. LIMITED EDITION of 200 copies, this being #A/P. (32 printed on parchment and bound with wodden boards). Printed paper over boards, letterpress on handmade paper, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Peter & Donna Thomas, 29; P&D Thomas Bibliography A57)
A lovely microminiature book that was created by Peter for his wife, Donna's birthday. The text is about what love should be and is a lovely accolade to Donna. The book was inspired by Ian MacDonald of the Gleniffer Press who had previously held the Guiness Boolk of World Records for the world's smallest book for many years.
The Dwarf — A Short History of a Short Man
Santa Cruz, CA: The Good Book Press, 1983. (44) pp. Approximately 2 7/8 x 1 3/8", oblong. LIMITED EDITION of 150 copies, this being #96. Brown leather over boards, marbled endpapers, letterpress on handmade paper, 13 tipped-in illustrations by Donna, paper made by Peter, signed on the colophon. A fine copy, attractively produced. (Bradbury, Peter & Donna Thomas, 8; P&D Thomas Bibliography A24)
A poignant book, beautifully produced with a story about a short and ugly dwarf who felt lonely and rejected but found solace in the peacefulness and acceptance of nature. Later bindings have the title blind stamped on the cover. The type used was American Uncial, a short, squat typeface which inspired the format of the book.
Shakespeare on Paper Mills
Santa Cruz, CA: The Good Book Press, 1988. [64] pp. Approximately 1 9/16 x 1 15/16". LIMITED EDITION of 200 copies, of which the first 100 copies are printed on paper made during Shakespeare's lifetime (from a damaged copy of Digestrum Novum: 1576) and the second 100 copies use Peter Thomas' handmade paper. This is #99 from the first set made. Gilt morocco spine, paper over boards, illustrated by Donna Thomas, very minor wear, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Peter and Donna Thomas, 26; P&D Thomas Bibliography A50).
A beautiful miniature by well-known book artists, authors, and paper-makers Peter and Donna Thomas, this book presents a fascinating study of paper-mills and paper-making, as seen and described in various Shakespeare works, particularly Henry VI, Part 2: Act 4, Scene 7.
Yes, Virginia
Santa Cruz, CA: The Good Book Press, 1984. 20 pp. 2 3/8 x 3"; LIMITED EDITION of 125 copies, this being #12. Ivory paper boards with red- and purple-embellishments, letterpress, stamped title and decoration on front cover, woodcut illustrations by Donna Thomas, numbered on the colophon, in fine condition. (Bradbury, P&D Thomas 12; P&D Thomas Bibliography A28)
"Yes, Virginia" is about the famous letter sent to the editor of the New York Sun by a little girl of eight and his subsequent answer to the question of "Is there a Santa Claus". A lovely and inspiring story for the Christmas season. A beautiful example of their work with no other copies on the market at this time (1/23).
O Moszkve (O Moscow) Microminiature Book (with Earring)
Moscow: Ianiko, 1997. Approximately 4.5 mm x 5.5 mm", oblong. White leather spine with metal covers, front cover has the letter "M" carved into it, all edges gilt, inventory number printed in ink on front paste-down endpaper, attached with a gold chain to a gold earring with an aquamarine gem, all in fine condition.
Printed in both Russian and English, this beautiful piece of jewelry has a screw back post and could be used as either a single earring or a pin. The book contains poems extolling the beauty and wonder of Moscow by several famous Russian authors, including Pushkin and Blok.
Olimpiyskaya klyatva (Olympic Oath)
Russia: Nord - Dubna, 1993. [24] pp. Approximately 5/8 x 3/4". Limited edition of 200 copies. Black lacquer covers with an image of the olypmic torch on the front cover and the olympic rings on the rear cover, colored illustrations, printed endpapers, small bookplate on verso of front free endpaper, all edges gilt, in fine condition.
A lovely microminiature book with a beautiful Russian lacquer cover, printed in multiple languages. The Olympic Oath is a solemn promise to respect and abide by the rules, be a good sport, and honor their team. The insiration for the oath came from the original ancient olympic games where athletic competitors swore on a statue of Zeus.
Otche Nash; The Lord's Prayer
Moscow: Evrika, 1993. [24] pp. Approximately 5/8 x 3/4". Limited edition of 200 copies. Red lacquer covers with an image of Christ on the cover with golden halo, all edges gilt, colored illustrations, printed endpapers depicting Nazareth, small bookplate on verso of front free endpaper, housed in black Russian lacquer box with similar artwork of Christ, signed by the artist on the bottom, all in fine condition.
A beautiful miniature book housed in an equally beautiful Russian lacquer box. Printed in Russian, English and German. Printing house is Poleszk - Dubna.
All About the Little Small Red Hen
Dallas, TX: Aredian Press, 2021. Approximately 2 1/4 x 2 3/4", 58 pp. First edition, LIMITED EDITION of 10 copies, this being #3. Design binding by Patrice Miller of Aredian Press, presented within a tan and brown checked sack with hand embroidered "red hen" scrim patch. Red leather 1/4 binding with hand-embroidered spine, patterened cloth over boards with printed label on front cover, ribbon bookmark featuring a tiny scissors charm, signed and numbered by the publisher on the colophon, fine condition.
Here is a beautiful rendition of a classic children's tale of an industrious hen outwitting a cunning fox. It includes eight watercolors and nine black and white illustrations by Johnny B. Gruelle. The publisher has hand-colored the half-title and main title page illustrations. Each copy of the edition is bound with a different combination of patterned fabric, spine leather and endpaper materials and treatment. Patrice Miller's work has found its way to private and university collections, in the states and abroad. Human foibles, nature’s panoply, and artistic cleverness cannot help but inform future work. She continues to bind, and rebind, in Dallas, Texas.
Friends
Cincinnati, OH: Mosaic Press, [1980]. [14] pp. Approximately 3/4 x 1". Illustrated wrapper with single staple, black and white illustrations, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Mosaic Press 33)
Miriam Irwin Owen published miniature books under her Mosaic Press imprint. Most of her books consist of original material written by authors recruited by Irwin, who published what she enjoys reading. Miriam was a founder of the Miniature Book Society. Unable to find if Cynthia Irwin is related to Miriam Irwin in any way. Copy of the Mosaic Press miniature book catalog from October, 1980 included as a bonus item.
The Miniature Room
n.p.: The Miniature Book Studio, 1983. Approximately 1/2 x 3/4". Blue pyroxylin cover with gilt titles and decorations on spine and covers which are slightly blurry, extra blank pages at the end, in near fine condition.
This little book contains excerpts from Carol Wenk's full-size book "Shadow-box Miniature Rooms: A Basic Course to Creating Them", first published in 1975.