When you hold a miniature book in your hand, it is like holding a jewel. A miniature book is usually no bigger than three inches (76 millimeters) tall, and although some need magnification to be viewed properly, most can be read with the naked eye. Dating as far back as 2500 BCE, Sumerian clay tablets with cuneiform writing are considered the prototype for miniature books ...
Read more about Miniature Books
Our miniature books are listed below. You may also browse our miniature books by publisher or by century.
Boston: Anne & David Bromer, 1983. (62)pp. First edition. From an edition of 400 copies signed by Gorey, this is one of 100 copies comprising the deluxe issue with the illustrations hand-colored by him. Signed at colophon by Gorey. The text is an alphabet of short humorous couplets patterned after... More
Boston: Anne & David Bromer, 1989. (49)pp. First edition. One of 400 copies signed by Gorey. Gorey's second miniature book was written as an homage to the seventeenth-century English hymn writer Isaac Watts, and its text is obscurely akin to "Divine Songs for Children." The twenty-nine verses and pictures are... More
Boston: Anne & David Bromer, 1989. (49)pp. First edition. From an edition of 400 copies signed by Gorey, this is one of 110 comprising the deluxe issue, with twenty-nine illustrations hand-colored by him in silver and gold metallic paint. An homage to Isaac Watts, Gorey's text is obscurely akin to... More
London: Bertram Rota, 1987. Octavo. 283pp., + (28)pp. of illustrations in both color and black & white. One of 400 copies. Barker's investigation of the Frederic Prokosch forgeries. In black, cloth-backed boards. Gilt-titled to spine. A little bit of dust and wear, else a fine copy. More
London: Field & Tuer; Simpkin; Hamilton, 1884. 146, (16)pp. Comprises the miniature version of Quads for Authors, Editors, & Devils as well as the "enlarged edition." A book of jokes relating to printers, with a sixteen-page glossary. Quads, explains the preface, are "little metal blanks used by the printer for... More
(Birmingham: Printed by John W. Showell, c. 1838). 30pp. Bound in navy blue leather in wallet style with title in gilt on front flap and yellow endpapers. Gift note on front free endpaper. Front hinge starting, else a fine copy of a scarce book. (1 5/16 by 1 3/16; 34x30mm). More
(NY: Purgatory Pie Press, 1983). 16mo. (58)pp. One of 100 copies signed by the designer, E. K. Smith and the printer, Dko Faust. An alphabet, letterpress printed in gray, in which each letter is presented in a different format. Unusually bound in a soft red leather chemise which wraps around... More
(Van Nuys, CA: Collector Editions in Miniature [Barbara J. Raheb], 1979). 70, (2)pp. One of 300 numbered copies. Includes numerous illustrations by Barbara Raheb. Very slight rubbing to lower board, else fine in black leather, elaborately gilt-stamped with four jewel-like stones affixed to upper cover. Bookplate. (Bradbury, p. 201). (1 3/16 by 7/8; 31x23mm). More
(Tarzana, CA): Barbara J. Raheb, 1984. 72pp. One of 300 copies. With calligraphy and illustrations by Barbara Raheb, and the borders of each page colored red. Bound in full black morocco, gilt-titled to the spine and with a round red morocco lettering piece to the upper cover with gilt-stamped symbols... More
(Tarzana, CA: Raheb, Barbara J., 1980). (32)pp. Though not noted in the book, this is one of 300 copies. A micro-miniature facsimile of an 1890 almanac, produced by E. T. Hazeltine of Warren, PA, advertising Piso's medicines for consumption, croup, catarrh, and other ailments. Fine in gilt-stamped brown pyroxylin. Bookplate... More
Skokie, IL: Black Cat Press, (1980). 24pp. One of 249 copies printed by the Schori Press, bound by Bela Blau, and illustrated by Barbara Raheb. Designed by Norman Forgue, the Press’s proprietor. Very fine in cream leather with a gilt teddy bear on the front cover. The smallest Black Cat... More
(Tarzana, CA: Collector Editions, 1978). 196pp. One of 50 numbered copies. A reduced facsimile of the 1850 Phinney & Company thumb-size History of the Bible, printed in black with red borders. Includes black & white portraits of figures from the Bible throughout. Some wear to extremities, else very good in... More
(Tarzana, CA): Raheb, Barbara J., 1984. (42)pp., frenchfold. One of 300 copies compiled, designed, and beautifully calligraphed by Raheb, who has also signed and numbered the book. Illustrated throughout with variously sized decorative initials, musical pages with bars in red, and a full-page illustration of a seated scribe. Bound in... More
(Tarzana, CA): Raheb, Barbara J., 1984. (42)pp.. One of 300 copies compiled, designed, and beautifully calligraphed by Raheb, who has also signed and numbered the book. Illustrated throughout with variously sized decorative initials, musical pages with bars in red, and a full-page illustration of a seated scribe. Borders of each... More
Agoura Hills: Pennyweight Press, 1992. 32pp. One of 50-100 copies (not specified), signed by the illustrator, Barbara Raheb. This ancient counting song dates to a 13th-century manuscript housed at Cambridge University. It first appeared as a children's book in the year 1790. The reader joins in a medieval Christmas celebration... More
(Van Nuys, CA): Raheb, Barbara J., 1984. Two volumes, housed in a tiny wooden box with a sliding lid. On the lid is a pictorial printed label. The two volumes are: The Sugar Plum Tree. Poems by Eugene Field. (16)ff. From an edition of 300 copies, this is one of... More
(Tarzana, CA): Raheb, Barbara J., 1984. (28)pp. One of 300 copies signed by Barbara Raheb, who calligraphed and illustrated the text of what was a medieval illuminated manuscript. The borders of each page are colored gold. Bound in gilt-decorated black pyroxylin leather, with title in gilt to a red morocco... More
(Van Nuys, CA: Raheb, Barbara J., 1980). 35pp. Second edition. From an edition of 300 numbered copies signed by Barbara Raheb, this is one of an unknown number of hand-colored copies. With five full-page illustrations and three decorations, all delicately colored by Raheb. Bound in gilt-stamped black pyroxylin, with a.... More
(Tarzana, CA: Raheb, Barbara J., 1981). 88pp. One of 300 copies, signed and numbered by Barbara Raheb. With a black & white frontispiece and title-page vignette. Fine in dark blue gilt-stamped pyroxylin. Top edge stained red. Bookplate to front paste-down. (Bradbury, p. 211). (15/16 by 3/4; 24x19mm). More
(Van Nuys, CA: Raheb, Barbara J., 1981. (84)pp. One of 300 numbered copies, signed by Barbara Raheb. With black & white illustrations throughout. Some wear to spine and front board, else near fine in gilt-stamped blue leather. Bookplate to front paste-down. (Bradbury, p. 211). (15/16 by 3/4; 24x18mm). More
(Tarzana, CA): Pennyweight Press, 1999. (13)ff. From an edition of 300, this is one of 125 deluxe copies hand-colored by the printer/illustrator, Barbara Raheb. The Christmas carol, illustrated with seven hand-colored pictures, is followed by a brief biography of the life of the Saint. Extremely fine in gilt-stamped blue pyroxylin... More
(Tarzana, CA): Raheb, Barbara J., 1982. 45pp. One of 300 numbered copies signed by Raheb. With six hand-colored illustrations and title-page vignette. Minor bowing to boards, else fine in brown pyroxylin-backed cork boards, with printed label, and marbled endpapers. (Bradbury, p. 212). (1 11/16 by 1 1/4; 43x31mm). More
(Tarzana, CA): Pennyweight Press, 1982. (72)pp. One of 100 copies, signed and numbered by Barbara Raheb. Contains two tipped-in plates with gold borders, and two pages with hand-painted gold borders. The plates were photographed in color by Thomas Raheb, from fine examples of Russian illustrated lacquer ware. The text is... More
(Tarzana, CA): Raheb, Barbara J., 1984. (22)ff. One of 300 copies, signed by the author, illustrator, and publisher Barbara Raheb. Frontispiece illustration of a medieval banquet, and the text is a facsimile of Raheb's own manuscript-style calligraphy. This miniature cookbook provides insight into the tastes and traditions of the Middle... More
(N.p.): Raheb, Barbara J., 1984. (34)pp. One of 100 numbered copies, signed by Raheb. Illustrated title page hand-colored, with twelve black & white head- and tailpieces. A book of twelve carols, with staves of music printed in red and black. Split in textblock, else near fine in red pyroxylin, which... More
