New Arrivals
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).
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.
Samuel Adams, April 1, 1776
Salisbury, CT: Lime Rock Press, 1981. 25 pp. approx. 1 x 1". Printed with two bindings: one suede and the other cowhide. Brown leather with Adams' signature in gilt on the cover, marbled endpapers, housed in clear plastic case, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Lime Rock 9)
From the Great American Speeches series, this little book relays the rousing speech Adams gave to the citizens gathered at the State House in Philadelphia trying to galvanize them into action after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Lime Rock Press is the private press of Whitney North Seymour, Jr. and is run also by his wife and daughters who contribute photography, art, printing and binding. Samuel
Patrick Henry, March 28, 1775
Salisbury, CT: Lime Rock Press, 1981. 25 pp. Approx. 1 x 1". Printed with two bindings: one suede and the other cowhide. Brown leather with Washington's signature in gilt on the cover, marbled endpapers, housed in clear plastic case, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Lime Rock 8)
From the Great American Speeches series, this little book relays the famous climactic paragraphs of Henry's speech to the Second Virginia Convention urging independence from the British crown. Lime Rock Press is the private press of Whitney North Seymour, Jr. and is run also by his wife and daughters who contribute photography, art, printing and binding.
Cats
Spartanburg, SC: Kitemaug Press, 1968. [8] pp. Approx. 1 1/8 x 13/16". Tan paper wrapper with title on cover, 4 unnumbered leaves, letterpress, illustrations of cats, in fine condition. Very scarce - not found in WorldCat at this time (6/22). (Bradbury, Kitemaug Press 5)
Kitemaug Press is run by Frank J. Anderson and is a private press. The name Kitemaug comes from the Mohegan Indian language and it means "the place of good fishing." Anderson started printing in 1965 so this book is from very early on in his career.
Zsolnay: Ceramics Factory, Pecs
Budapest, Hungary: Helikon Kiado, 1997. 175 pp. Approximately 2 x 3". Decorated porcelain cover over green velvet boards with gilt title on spine, yellow slipcase, all edges gilt, profuse colored photographs, slight crack to porcelain cover, otherwise all in near fine condition. Text is in English.
This cute little book contains the history of the state-owned Zsolnay factory with many examples of their eclectic collection of art nouveau, art deco, and stylized folk art.
Bernhardt Wall in Miniature
Worcester, MA: Robert C. Bradbury, 2007. 31 pp. Approximately 2 1/2 x 3". LIMITED EDITION of 45 copies. Blue cloth over boards with pictorial paper label on upper cover, marbled endpapers, letterpress, three mounted illustrations, in fine condition.
Bernhardt Wall (1872 - 1956) was an American historian and lithographic illustrator. He was known as the "Postcard King" as he designed more than 5,000 comic cards. He worked with a variety of publishers over his career and specialized in famous people and historical events. Each copy of the regular edition is illustrated with three original miniature etchings by Bernhardt Wall, at least one of which is an illustration. Special copies have thematically related illustrations and deluxe copies have additional etchings mounted in matching volumes. This little book includes bibliography/listing of miniature illustrations by Wall. Only 2 library holdings and not in the trade at the moment (5/22). Somewhat scarce.