The Good Book Press
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 #96. Brown leather over boards, 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 Farmer's Magic
Santa Cruz, CA: The Good Book Press, 1981. 26 pp. Approximately 1 7/8 x 2 3/4". LIMITED EDITION of 130 copies, #1 - 90 on publisher's paper, this being #83 of the special printing. Marbled paper over boards with brown leather 1/4 bound, gilt title on spine, letterpress printed on a hand-operated printing press on Peter's handmade paper, woodcut illustrations by Donna Thomas, numbered on the colophon, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Peter and Donna Thomas 5).
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 fairy tale book with Donna's beautiful woodcut artwork. This was their first work to get national recognition by the larger book-arts community as it was included in the Breaking the Bindings Show in 1983 at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. (From the Peter and Donna Thomas Bibliography, p. 21). A beautiful example of their work with no other copies on the market at this time (1/23).
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.
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).