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.
Watertown, Mass. Bromer, Anne & David, 1979. (20)pp. From an edition of 85 copies, only 50 of which were for sale, this is the publisher's copy. Printed by Darrell Hyder. This is the text of the first edition (1840), printed as a micro-miniature with a pictorial opening initial hand-calligraphed by..... More
Watertown, MA: Bromer, Anne & David, 1979. (20)pp. One of 85 copies, only 50 of which were for sale. Printed by Darrell Hyder. This is the text of the first edition (1840), printed as a micro-miniature with a pictorial opening initial hand-calligraphed by Janet Hobbs. Bound by C. Allan Carpenter..... More
(Boston): Bromer, Anne & David, 1980. 24pp. Although the colophon indicates that forty copies of this hand-colored manuscript were executed, Nancy Chandler Edwards completed only thirty copies. Of these, twenty-two were for sale. The artist used the theme of nature in decorating the letters of the alphabet. Illustrations of animals..... More
Watertown, MA: Bromer, Anne & David, 1978. 30pp. One of 150 copies printed at the Bird & Bull Press and signed by Henry Morris. This was the first—and last—miniature to be printed at the Bird & Bull Press, and the first Bird & Bull checklist to appear in print. Fne..... More
(Boston): Anne and David Bromer, 1986. (11)ff. One of 160 copies printed at the Firefly Press and illuminated on the title page by Suzanne Moore. This is the publisher's copy, so indicated in Moore's calligraphy on the colophon page. This Elizabethan poem was discovered in a manuscript in 1985 and..... More
(Boston): Anne and David Bromer, 1986. (11)ff. One of 160 copies printed at the Firefly Press and illuminated on the title page by Suzanne Moore. This is the publisher's copy, so indicated in Moore's calligraphy on the colophon page. This Elizabethan poem was discovered in a manuscript in 1985 and..... More
Boston: Anne & David Bromer, 1984. (31)ff. One of thirty copies. A whimsical ABC manuscript, drawing on the fertile soil of gardening for its inspiration. The book is lettered and illustrated by Melissa Sweet, the work done in vibrant colors entirely by hand. Sweet went on to illustrate numerous children’s..... More
Watertown, MA: Anne and David Bromer, 1977. (24)pp., frenchfold. From a deluxe edition of twenty-five copies, signed by the illustrator, Sarah Chamberlain, this is the publisher's copy. With an extra suite of ten artist's proofs of wood engravings, each signed by Chamberlain, as well as an original woodblock by Chamberlain..... More
Watertown, MA: Bromer, Anne & David, 1978. 30pp. From an edition of thirty-five deluxe copies printed at the Bird & Bull Press and signed by Henry Morris, this is a publisher's copy. The deluxe copies include an extra leaf tipped in titled “The Remedy for Micro-Typographia,” which includes a version..... More
Watertown, MA: Bromer, Anne & David, 1978. 30pp. From an edition of 150 copies, this is a publisher's copy, inscribed by Henry Morris. In the inscription, Morris writes, "John Fowles got $2 each for signing his books, but i do it for nothing-- is that fair??" This was the first..... More
NY: Abrams and The Grolier Club, (2007). 215pp. Miniature edition. This is an exact facsimile of Bromer & Edison's important reference work on miniature books, reproduced on a miniature scale. Profusely illustrated with more than 260 full-color photographic reproductions, including numerous full-page illustrations and two-page spreads. A comprehensive history of..... More
NYC: Abrams and The Grolier Club, (2007). Small quarto. 215pp. One of 250 deluxe copies for sale, signed by the authors and including a facsimile of the book in miniature format, together in a specially designed slipcase. Profusely illustrated with more than 260 full-color photographic reproductions including numerous full-page illustrations..... More
Glasgow: Bryce, David, (c. 1898). 128pp. These snippets of comic wisdom reveal the lighter side of a publisher primarily known for literary and religious works. As the title-page proclaims, "A little nonsense now and then/ Is relished by the wisest men." Cover and spine gilt-stamped with the title. Contemporary ownership..... More
Glasgow: Bryce, David, (c. 1905). 364pp. Frontispiece in black & white. A dainty edition clearly printed on thin India paper. Very fine in gilt-titled dark blue leather. The extremely rare printed dust wrapper is present. It is reinforced with old tape and has some chips, but is mostly complete with..... More
Glasgow: Bryce, David, & Son, (c. 1900-1905). Five miniature volumes. (127); (127); (240); (384); (127)pp. The volumes included are: Golden Thoughts from Great Authors; Witty, Humorous, and Merry Thoughts; Robert Burns' Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect; The Smallest English Dictionary in the World; and Old English, Scotch, and Irish..... More
Glasgow: BRYCE, DAVID, (c. 1896). 240pp. Reduced facsimile of the first edition, which had been printed in Kilmarnock by John Wilson in 1786. Fine in green leather. (Spielmann 69). (1 3/16 by 7/8; 30x20mm). More
Birmingham: C. Caswell, (c. 1870). (16)pp. Engraved frontispiece. A moral tale on the ills of covetousness and theft, and the corresponding rights of honesty and confession. Bound in yellow paper wrappers. Untitled hymn (first line: "Among the deepest shades of night") appears on lower cover. Scant foxing and creasing to..... More
Zuilichem: Catharijne Press, 1997. 47pp. From an edition of 190, this is one of fifteen special edition copies. Illustrated with a frontispiece portrait of Morris. Twelve full-color plates are tipped in, showing wallpaper patterns designed by Morris from 1864-1897. Includes an Introduction by Guus Thürkôw. The special edition comes with..... More
![The History of Reynard the Fox [The Tormenting of Tibert]. Christopher Harrisson, trans](/pictures/thumb/27378.JPG?v=1493395954)
Zuilichem: Catharijne Press, 1991. 56pp. One of 175 standard copies. Wood engraved frontispiece by Pam Rueter, signed and numbered by the artist. Excerpts from four early texts, including Caxton's, with an introduction by E. Verzandvoort, which tells the printing history. Fine in red-brown cloth with printed label. (2 5/8 by..... More
![The History of Reynard the Fox [The Tormenting of Tibert]. Christopher Harrisson, trans](/pictures/thumb/27396.JPG?v=1488320862)
Zuilichem: Catharijne Press, 1991. 56pp. From an edition of 190 copies, this is one of fifteen deluxe copies with an extra wood engraving. Frontispiece engraving by Pam Rueter, signed and numbered by the artist. Extra engraving also signed and numbered, and held in a mat in a separate cloth bi-fold..... More
Zuilichem: Catharijne Press, 1995. 58pp. From a total edition of 190, this is one of fifteen special edition copies. Illustrated with a portrait of Anne Frank as the frontispiece. The special edition is bound in full red morocco, gilt-stamped with Anne Frank's signature and with a 14 carat gold plated..... More
Zuilichem: Catharijne Press, 1995. 58pp. From a total edition of 190, this is one of fifteen special edition copies. Illustrated with a frontispiece portrait of Captain Lemuel Gulliver and a map showing the location of Lilliput, by Arne Zuidhoek. Includes an Introduction by Richard Sympson. The text is Chapter 1..... More
(Vienna, VA): Jo Ann Reisler, (1982). (34)pp., accordionfold. One of 150 copies signed by the artist, Sarah Chamberlain. A panorama bestiary, in which each letter of the alphabet is illustrated with a different bird or animal in a winsome wood engraving. Fine in decorated paper-covered boards with a matching slipcase..... More
(Los Angeles): William Cheney, 1975. (30)ff. The famous verse from "A Apple Pie, B Bit It, C Cut It," etc. is illustrated with large calligraphic-style letters in this micro-miniature book. It is the smallest book printed in California and was executed by William Cheney for Dawson's Book Shop. A very..... More
Los Angeles: Wm. M. Cheney, 1964. (36)pp. Two-page spread diagram of various kinds of pocket knives, to illustrate Cheney's discussion of their benefits, shortcomings, types, and history. Bound in paper-covered boards. Fine. (3 7/8 by 2 11/16; 98x68mm). More
