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.
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
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
(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
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
(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
(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
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
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
(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
Boston: Anne & David Bromer, 1983. (61)pp. First edition of Gorey's first miniature book. Of 400 copies, this is one of 300 comprising the regular edition, signed by Gorey. The text is an alphabet of short humorous couplets patterned after early moral primers for children, as in "Find tasks to..... More
Boston: Anne & David Bromer, 1983. (61)pp. First edition of Gorey's first miniature book. Of 400 copies, this is one of 300 comprising the regular edition, signed by Gorey. The text is an alphabet of short humorous couplets patterned after early moral primers for children, as in "Find tasks to..... More
(N.p.): Fantod Press, 1993. First edition. Signed by Edward Gorey as "Garrod Weedy," another Gorey anagram. Two miniature books bound as one, consisting entirely of line illustrations. Minute brushes to corners, else fine in printed wrappers. (2 1/4 by 2 3/4; 57x70mm). (Toledano A109a). 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: 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 split, else a fine copy of a scarce book. (1 5/16 by 1 3/16; 34x30mm)..... 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..... 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
(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
(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
(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
(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): 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): 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
