hardcover
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.
Olde Christmas Eve
(Manteno, IL): Bronte Press, 1997. (12) pp. Approximately 4 1/2 x 3", oblong. LIMITED EDITION unknown, this being #63. Green paper boards with label on front cover, caligraphy and illustrations by Suzanne Pruchnicki, hand-colored, signed by the artist/printer on the colophon, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Bronte Press)
Published by Washington Irving in 1876, this little book is a short story to enjoy for the holidays.
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.
Paisley American Folk
Wigtown, Scotland: The Gleniffer Press, 2000. 65 pp. Approx. 1 1/2 x 2". LIMITED EDITION of 260 copies, this being #39. Lovat green linson boards, perfect bound, copper gilt title and illustration on cover and copper gilt author on spine, special endpapers, original packaging, hand numbered on the colophon, in fine condition.
This book tells some stories of immigrants moving from Paisley, Scotland for a better life in America. Dr. Sylvia Clark is a noted local historian, writer and scholar who resides and Paisley.
Pax in Any Language Spells U.N.
Newport Beach, CA: Perky Co., 1984. Approximately 2 1/2 x 3 ". 27 pp. LIMITED EDITION of 200 copies, this being #101. Blue cloth over boards with gilt title and author on cover, letterpress by Castle Press, tipped-in flag reproduction, color illustrations, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Perky Co. 1)
From the colophon, "This book printed in the year of the 1984 California Olympics". It is the only book listed as being issued by this press, according to Bradbury. It is a sweet little patriotic book with a history of the United Nations and what it stands for.
Peter Rabbit Pop-up
Agoura Hills, CA: Barbara J. Raheb, 1993. (10) pp. Approximately 1 1/8 x 1". LIMITED EDITION of 150 copies, this being #13. Green pyroxylin cover with gilt to cover and spine, marbled endpapers, hand-colored illustrations on every page, all pop-ups functional, signed by the publisher, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Barbara J. Raheb, 444)
A classic children's tale of Peter Rabbit, running away from Mr. McGregor and losing his jacket along the way. First published privately in 1901, this is a scarce and beautiful miniature edition.
President Clinton, A Portrait Through Graphology, Astrology and Numerology
Brooklyn, NY: Pointeast Imprint, 1993. 49 pp. 2 7/8 x 2 1/4". LIMITED EDITION of 325 copies (75 in leather), this being # 93. Red cloth over boards, blind-stamped profile on cover, white title on spine, letterpresss, illustrated, tissue guard protected frontispiece, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Pointeast Imprint, 1)
The only miniature book published by this press, designed and printed by An-Khang Vu-Cong. Vu-Cong started his printing career in Vietnam. He came to the US and completed undergraduate and graduate studies and focused on printing and design in the early 1990s. Each author's section is signed by them and the publisher signed on the colophon.
Reminiscence of a Missal
[Czechoslovakia]: Jan Vrtilek, [1990]. Approximately 3/4 x 1". Green cloth over boards for the clamshell case, blind-stamped design on front cover, black velvet interior with indentation for the miniature book, tipped in typed note describing this as a Christmas /New Year gift for 1990-1991; Red leather over boards with gilt decorations and borders to both covers and spine, all edges gilt, miniature blindstamp on the lower edge of the inner rear cover: J.V., in fine condition.
Scarce miniature edition, made from cut up leaves from old books, most likely an 18th century Roman Missal, complete with some ornaments.
RNDM TXT [design binding]
Dallas, TX: Aredian Press, 2016. Approximately 2 x 3". First edition, LIMITED EDITION of 20 copies, this being #12. Design binding by Patrice Miller of Aredian Press, metallic cloth covered cell phone style case. Black alligator-patterned goat skin over boards, floral endpapers, signed and numbered by the author on the colophon, fine condition.
Here is a creative binding and miniature book that is designed to have the appearance of an old-fashioned looking address book. The contents are comprised of a series of text message reminders of an individual over several weeks; the reader as voyeur peeks at a slice of a life. Quite humorous. Very limited edition at 20 copies. 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.