Hardcover
London Almanack for the Year of Christ 1868
(London): (Printed for the Company of Stationers), (1867). Unpaginated. Approximately 1 1/2 x 2 1/4". Original red morocco with onlays in cream and green, gilt-tooled throughout, some parts of covers and spine missing, all edges gilt, gift inscription on rear endpaper, matching slipcase partly faded and a few chips to edges, else a very good copy.
These miniature booklets have been published from the late 17th century until the Victorian era, and give monthly information for eclipses, phases of the moon, saints days, as well as lists of Royals and Lord Mayors, bank transfer days and other banking rates. In this copy, there is a folding view of the Royal Dramatic College.
London in Miniature. With Engravings of its Public Buildings and Antiquities, from Drawings by Alfred Mills
London: Darton, Harvey, & Darton, and J. Harris, 1814. 96 pp. 2-1/2 x 2-3/8". 47 plates. Original printed pink boards, worn and lightly toned, interior bright with only occasional minor soil. Welsh and Bondy describe this as having 48 plates, but records in OCLC and elsewhere indicate that it is complete in 47 plates. In Very Good condition. (Welsh 4988; Bondy 65)
One of a series of titles illustrated with engravings of drawings by Alfred Mills, and issued in either these slightly cheaper boards or in roan. Includes brief introductions and detailed engravings for many major landmarks, including London Bridge, the Monument, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Royal Academy, the Admiralty, etc., as well as Whittington's and Oliver Cromwell's houses.
Medieval Labours
Sorbie, Scotland: Final Score, 2007. Approx. 2 x 2 5/8". LIMITED EDITION of 25 copies, this being #3. Brown cloth over boards with gilt-bordered paste-down label on cover, each copy individually illustrated using egg tempura paint on vellum with gold, signed on the colophon by both authors, in fine condition.
This beautiful book contains 13 illuminated illustrations accompanying each month of the year plus the title page. The text describes the work to be completed for each month in medieval times. For example, January described bread baking with a medieval recipe, while June talks of estate management. Only one OCLC holding at this time, from the collection of Muriel Underwood - a US Marine, member of the Caxton Club, longtime member of the Miniature Book Society and miniature book publisher herself.
Memories of an Illustrator
Sebastapol, CA: El Camino Real Press, 2015. 7 pp. Approximately 2 1/8 x 2 15/16". LIMITED EDITION of 150 copies. Blue leatherette with gilt title on cover, decorative endpapers, 8 cent U.S. unmetered postage stamp frontispiece, blue endpapers, bound by Mariana Blau and printed by Patrick Reagh, in near fine condition.
This sweet little book explains why Francis Weber had a penchant for using postage stamps to illustrate his miniature books. Informing and pretty, all at the same time.
Moses Hayyim Luzzatto on Lovingkindness
Evanston, IL: Press of Ward Schori, 1987. 40 pp. Approximately 2 9/16 x 1 7/8". LIMITED EDITION of 225 copies. Brown blind-stamped leather with gilt title on cover and spine, endpapers with old Hebrew text, bound by Hugo Grummich, in near fine condition. (Bradbury, Schori 44)
Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, also known as Moses Hayyim Luzzatto (1707 - 1746) was an Italian Jewish rabbi and philosopher. His writings showed his deep understanding of the Talmud and codes of Jewish law. After a brief biography, this lovely little book describes his reflections on lovingkindness.
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.
Munkássakk (Worker's Chess)
Budapest, Hungary: Alföldi Nyomda, 1984. 160 pp. Approximately 1 3/4 x 2 1/2". Text in Hungarian. LIMITED EDITION of 400 copies, this being #2. Light brown leather over boards, Title in black on cover with chess board and knight piece illustration, seven black and white photographs, many chess diagrams, slight wear to cover, otherwise in near fine condition.
One of the best known printing houses in Budapest for the last 40 years, the Alföldi Printing House prints both large books and miniatures for both foreign and domestic markets. Their talent, inventiveness, and artistic ability were noted by Louis Bondy in his miniature book reference (p. 176).
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.
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.
Old Testament Stories
Buffalo, NY: Breed, Butler & Co., 1862. 64 pp. Approximately 1 5/8 x 2 1/8". Brown pictorial gilt cloth with minor rubbing on edges, small spot on rear cover, old tape repairs on front and rear paste-down endpapers, all edges gilt, in very good condition. (Bradbury Antique: Breed, Butler & Co., 14)
The Aunt Fanny and Aunt Laura series resulted in thirty miniature children's books, which are high spots in any miniatur book collection. Frances Elizabeth Barrow, the author of these books, was a popular children's book author of the time. All of the books are attractively found in highly gilt cloth. There are five series and each series has six titles. As each series was published, the books were smaller in size.