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.
Pasadena, CA: Permanent Press, 1975. 69pp. One of 250 copies. Full-page illustrated initials open each of the five chapters of this first volume. The first half of Lathourakis' biography of the infamous Rasputin. Bound in black polished cloth over boards. Lacking second volume, but fine otherwise. (2 11/16 by 2 3/16; 67x55mm). More about aka Rasputin
Chicago: Petit Oiseau Press, 1954. 7pp. Although the limitation is not printed in the book, this is one of 100 copies. Doris Welsh's second book, published before she began to use the "Petit Oiseau" imprint. Illustrated with a drawing of the Mayflower as the frontispiece. Bound in purple cloth-backed decorated... More about The Mayflower Compact
Chicago: Petit Oiseau Press, 1963. 21pp. One of fifty copies. An amusing story about trying out a typewriter. Very fine in cloth-backed blue boards. (Bradbury, p. 179). (1 7/8 by 1 1/2; 48x38mm). More about The King of Indoor Sports
East Greenwich, RI: River's Edge Studio, 1970. 45pp. From an edition of 500 copies, this is one of 300 bound in Beau Brilliant cover paper. Illustrated with sixteen tipped-in U.S. stamps, all featuring flowers or plants. Printed by Enschedé in the Netherlands. Fine in stiff green wrappers with gilt titling... More about Flowers & Plants on United States Postage Stamps
East Greenwich, RI: River's Edge Studio, 1970. 45pp. From an edition of 500 copies, this is one of 300 bound in Beau Brilliant cover paper. Illustrated with sixteen tipped-in U.S. stamps, all featuring flowers or plants. Printed by Enschedé in the Netherlands. Fine in stiff green wrappers with gilt titling... More about Flowers & Plants on United States Postage Stamps
(England: c. 1902). (6)pp. A brass photograph album in the form of a locket, containing six pictures: King Edward VII and Alexandra of Denmark, crowned in 1902, the Prince and Princess who became George V and Queen Mary, and a child who is possibly the future Edward VIII. The final... More about Coronation Album
Los Angeles: Plantin Press for Dawson's Book Shop, 1973. (xxxviij), 61pp. From an edition of 500 copies, this is one of thirty of a special printing by Saul and Lillian Marks at the Plantin Press, featuring a deluxe binding by the firm Patron & de la Mauviniere and a wood... More about Prayers Written at Vailima
(Berkeley, CA): Poole Press, 1988. (13)ff. One of 75 copies, signed by Maryline Poole Adams. The illustrator meets the challenge of depicting the Bisky Bat, the Fimble Fowl, the Pobble who has no toes, and all of Edward Lear's other characters through the medium of woodcuts. Very fine in patterned... More about The Quangle Wangle's Hat, by Edward Lear—1877
(Vienna): K.K. Hofbibliothek, (1912). 22; (126)pp. A facsimile of Viennese printer Ludwig Bonnoberger's famous prayer book of 1607, presented to a gathering of bibliophiles at the Imperial Court Library in September 1912. Bound in buff cloth with interwoven silver threads. All edges are gilt and gauffered, with two indented circles... More about Betbüechlein
Wien: (Lichtdruck der K.K. Graphischen Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt), (1912). 22; (126)pp. A facsimilie of Viennese printer Ludwig Bonnoberger's famous prayer book of 1607, presented to a gathering of bibliophiles at the Imperial Court Library in September 1912. Bound in buff cloth with interwoven silver threads. All edges are gilt and... More about Betbuechlein
N.p. N.P., (20th Century). (2)pp. A tiny version of the Lord's Prayer framed within a book-shaped sterling silver locket. On the cover is the design of a cross. In fine condition. (1/2 by 3/8; 14x11mm). More about Lord's Prayer in Silver Case
(Dijon: Marchet & Roux, 1897). 191pp. This elegant book of prayers to the Virgin Mary is illustrated with an engraved frontispiece of the nativity. Printed by Firmin-Didot in black and red with red rules. Gilt floral decoration on the interior with blue and gold paste-downs. Some minor creasing to several... More about Nouvelle Imitation de la Très Sainte Vierge
Nappanee, IN: Press of the Indiana Kid, 1972. 19ff. One of 100 copies. Printed on handmade paper. With examples of the papermaker's own labels for the papers he creates. Save a faint stain to lower cover, fine in handmade paper over boards, backed in gilt-stamped red leather. (Bradbury, p. 103). (2 11/16 by 1 7/8; 68x47mm). More about One Day in the Life of a Paper Maker
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 about Quads within Quads: Quads for Authors, Editors, & Devils
(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 split, else a fine copy of a scarce book. (1 5/16 by 1 3/16; 34x30mm). More about The One Hundred and Third Psalm
(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 about Book of Hours
(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 about Liber Sanctorum
(Tarzana, CA): Raheb, Barbara J., 1984. (28)pp., accordion-fold. One of 300 copies signed by Barbara Raheb, who calligraphed and illustrated the text, which is a compilation of Bible verses in Latin. Several illustrations in this copy are two-page spreads, as opposed to single-page illustrations found in the copies that are... More about Memento Mori
(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 about Psalter
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 about The Twelve Days of Christmas
(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 about Christmas Treasury
(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 about Canterbury Tales
(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 about The Fish Patrol
(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 about Ms. Found in a Bottle
(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 about Liber Culinaria
