Hardcover
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.
Mine
New York: Pocket Books, 1990. 442 pp. 6 1/4 x 9 1/2". First Edition, first printing. Illustrated dust jacket with original price of $18.95, in fine condition; Red paper over boards and black cloth spine with silver lettering, slight foxing on top fore-edge, signed by the author on the title page, in near fine condition.
Robert McCammon (1952 - ), is a well-known fantasy/horror writer, having been a recipient of the Horror Writers of America, Inc.'s Bram Stoker Award and nominated for the 1988 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel. This novel is about a woman who steals a baby, the mother who tries to hunt her down and an FBI man who also has a grudge to settle. From the jacket: "A novel of psychological terror and unrelenting suspense set against the backrop of America today".
Moriah's Mourning and Other Half-hour Sketches
Harper & Brothers 1898 first hardcover printing. Book is tight and square. No dust jacket. Book has some edge wear and corner bumping. Interior is clean, no bookstore stamps or writing; however there is a stain on inside front page and some slight foxing throughout. One loose illustrated page but all is intact. Age toning is present as is common in books of this vintage. Born in Louisiana, Stuart wrote "American local color writing that emphasizes regional characteristics in landscape, way of life, and language."
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.
Mountain Birds
London: Penguin Books, 1952. 31 pp. + 16 color plates. First edition. Approximately 5 x 7 1/4". Printed dust jacket with label title on cover and spine, rubbing to edges, in very good condition. Similarly patterned printed paper boards, Stanford Library withdrawal stamp on front free endpaper along with ink name on verso, otherwise in very good condition.
A beautifully done little book about the birds of the hills of Britain, with stunning full color plates. Robert Coombes is an ornithologist who describes the birds in terms the layman can easily understand and appreciate. The artist, George Lodge, is "especially renowned for his drawings of falcons and other birds of prey" per the dust jacket.
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).
Nansen
New York: Viking Press, 1945. 170 pp. Approximately 5 1/2 x 8 1/2". First Edition, third printing (July, 1945). Illustrated wrappers, some tears and missing sections but front cover is mostly intact, in very good condition. Blue cloth over boards with black design on cover and lettering on spine, some wear to spine top and bottom, INSCRIBED by author on the front free endpaper, beautifully illustrated in blue tones, slightly musty smell, otherwise in near-fine condition.
A beautiful book, illustrated by Boris Artzybasheff, Caldecott Honor recipient noted for his strong work and surreal designs, this is a biography about Fridtjof Nansen, a noted Norwegian scientist, explorer, and diplomat. A fascinating look at this influential and humanitarian person. Winner of a Newberry Honor award in 1941. Scarce in jacket and signed.
Natural History of Animals
Worcester, MA: N. Hervey, (ca. 1850). 24 pp. Approximately 3 3/4 x 4 1/2". Green paper over boards with red cloth spine, beautiful engravings throughout of animals, birds, and plants, a few ink markings and small water stain on front cover, hinges cracked, owner's writings in pencil on front and rear free endpapers with inscription dated 1858, some foxing, otherwise in very good + condition.
Nathaniel Hervey published with Henry J. Howland from 1835 to 1893. A list of Howland's Worcester Toys is on the back cover. A lovely little children's book which has not been colored in, remarkably. Animals include the camel, goat, wolf, wild boar, roe, sheep, cony, and jackal. Birds include the hoopoe, swan, crane, partridge, great horned owl, sparrow hawk, quail, cormorant, osprey and swallow. Plants include frankincense, camphor, cinnamon, cane, flax, fig tree, plantain, mandrake, lign aloe, and palm tree. All with nicely done engravings.