The Good Book Press
Ovid in Latin & English
Santa Cruz, CA: The Good Book Press, 1983. [14] pp. Approximately 1 3/8 x 1 7/8". LIMITED EDITION of 150 copies, this being #142. Quarter bound in black Morocco leather and blue handmade paper over boards, gilt stamped title on cover letterpress, white paper handmade by Peter, two linoeum cut illustrations by Donna, black and red printing, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Peter & Donna Thomas, 10; P&D Thomas Bibliography A26)
Peter and Donna Thomas, well-known book artists, authors, and paper-makers, have been operating their private press since 1976. "The text is an excerpt...'add little to little and there will be a great heap.' We were invited to the first gathering of miniature-book publishers, held the summer of 1984 in Tipp City, Ohio. A fellow printer, Gene Holtan of Green Gables Press, suggested the text after we told him about the event and our plans to make a 'keepsake' book for it." From the bibliography of Peter and Donnas Thomas.
Psalm 128
Santa Cruz, CA: The Good Book Press, 1985. (14) pp. Later edition. Approximately 1 3/4 x 2 7/16". LIMITED EDITION of 26 copies, this being # I. Brown leather over boards, gilt title on spine, inside white paper handmade by Peter, typography hand-set Barnhard Modern, illustrated with Peter's ornaments, numbered on the colophon, in fine condition. (P&D Thomas Bibliography A25)
This was the second book made for Donna's birthday. A second edition of 26 was printed for Mary Helen Dawson later that year. It was the same book in all respects except for changes to the colophon.
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.
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 #6. Brown leather over boards with title blind-stamped on cover, 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.
The Papermaking Rhyme
Santa Cruz, CA: The Good Book Press, 1988. [36] pp. Approximately 1 7/8 x 2 15/16". LIMITED EDITION of 150 copies (edition not completed), this being #4. Purple handmade paper over boards with title in black on spine, paper sample insert on cover, letterpress, photographs are digitally printed, five paper samples tipped-in, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Peter and Donna Thomas, 25; P&D Thomas Bibliography A49).
Peter and Donna Thomas, well-known book artists, authors, and paper-makers, have been operating their private press since 1976. This text in this book is a play on the children's rhyme, "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers." The photographs show Peter making paper.
The Story of Word Pictures
Santa Cruz, CA: The Good Book Press, 1984. 14 pp. Approximately 2 x 2 1/8". LIMITED EDITION of 200 copies, the first fifty are hand-painted and bound in leather, this being #197 of the regular printing. Pale green paper wrap with design and title on cover and spine in fine condition. Green boards with design on front cover, printed on a hand-operated printing press on Peter's handmade paper, one minor foxing spot on rear endpaper, numbered on the colophon, in near fine condition. (Bradbury, Peter and Donna Thomas 11).
Peter and Donna Thomas, well-known book artists, authors, and paper-makers, have been operating their private press since 1976. This is a lovely little book with elfin maidens and wizards and words by the author on how to gather pictures in your own head.
Twas the Night Before Christmas
Santa Cruz, CA: Peter & Donna Thomas, 1982. 30 pp. Approximately 3 x 2 1/2". LIMITED EDITION of 200 copies, this being #14. Red paper over boards, title on label on cover, eight linoleum cut illustrations by Donna, illustrated red paper wrapper, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Peter & Donna Thomas, 44; P&D Thomas Bibliography A77)
Peter and Donna Thomas, well-known book artists, authors, and paper-makers, have been operating their private press since 1976. A beautiful and artistic book, this story was first published in 1823 anonymously and later was credited to the author in 1837. Perhaps one of the best-known poems ever written, it is responsible for the image and characteristics of Santa Claus that is still prevalent today. From the bibliography: "As a child I had a copy of the St. Onge edition of 'The Night Before Christmas,' illustrated by Tasha Tudor, and we wanted to make our own version. In our admiration, we copied St. Onge's type and called Doner, Donner."
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).