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.
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 about In Memoriam
(Denver): Budcraft Press, 1967. 50pp. One of 225 copies signed by the artist and U.G. Mosier, the printer. With two hand-colored, naughty illustrations by Ted Castor. Upper cover slightly bowed, else fine in red, gilt-stamped leather. A.e.g. Bookplate of former owner. (2 15/16 by 2 1/4; 75x58mm). More about Two Frivolous Tales from The Decameron
(N.p): Butternut Press, 1977. (36)pp. One of of 225 copies. With illustrations of Shaker handicrafts, from furniture to capes to asthma cures. Very fine in printed wrappers and paper sleeve with printed label. (2 3/8 by 2 5/8; 68x60mm). More about Shaker Industries
Ancona: Baluzzi, (1812). 32pp. This attractively printed calendar notes holidays and the dates for the change of seasons. Each month is marked with sunrise times, and the ecclesiastical significance of each day is noted. The almanac closes with four pages of brief guidelines for a happy and virtuous domestic life... More about Giornale per l'anno 1813
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 about Wallpapers
Utrecht: Catharijne Press, 1988. (38)pp. One of 150 copies, hand-colored by Luce Thürkôw. The Art Nouveau initials of this alphabet book are surrounded by floral designs in pastel colors. Fine in full green limp suede, with a gilt-stamped label on the front cover. Bookplate of former owner. (2 1/2 by... More about Florilegium
Utrecht: Catharijne Press, 1988. (34)pp. From an edition of 165 copies, this is one of fifteen deluxe copies hand-colored by Luce Thürków and with the Art Nouveau initials beautifully heightened with gold. Extremely fine in full green limp suede with gilt-stamped label on the front cover. Housed in original green..... More about Florilegium: A Collection of Flower Initials Designed by Maurice Dufrène
![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 2; 66x51mm). More about The History of Reynard the Fox [The Tormenting of Tibert
![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 about The History of Reynard the Fox [The Tormenting of Tibert
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 about Anne Frank (1929-1945), A Biography
Utrecht, The Netherlands: Catharijne Press, 1984. 20pp. One of 100 copies, with an artistic photogravure frontispiece by Johan de Zoete, which is signed and numbered. The two poems are "To Helen," and "Annabel Lee." Extremely fine oblong miniature; the first published by Catharijne Press. Bound in black morocco with a.... More about Two Poems
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 about Gulliver's Travels. A Voyage to Lilliput
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 about A Lesson from a Bed-Quilt
(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 about ABC for Tiny Schools
(N.p.): Cherub Press, 1987. (8) ff., frenchfold. One of 100 copies. The legend of the creation of woman, printed on Rakusai paper toned in several colors, and with a hand-colored frontispiece by Kim Butcher. Sewn oriental-style into pale blue wrappers, and housed in a slipcase. Mint. (2 3/4 by 2 3/8; 70x61mm.). More about A Vedic Legend
Santa Ana: Gold Stein Press, 1985. 22ff. One of 75 copies signed by Bradbury, and by D'Ambrosio, who designed, printed, and bound the book. Illustrated throughout with embossed images and serigraphs, over which some of the poems are printed. Bound in full gray morocco with a silver foil inset, which... More about Long After Ecclesiastes
Pasadena: Susan and Karen Dawson, 1966. 21pp. Burgess' humorous poem, printed in purple and illustrated with several whimsical line drawings. The binding on this book varies; this copy in glazed-leather boards, hand-bound by Bela Blau. With a cow illustration gilt-stamped in the top left corner of the cover. A fine... More about The Miniature Purple Cow
(Shaker Heights, OH): Wind and Harlot Press, 1986. 12pp. One of twenty-three copies. Keats's ballad of a knight wooed by a beautiful and wild "faery's child" and then abandoned by her, haggard and pale, on the cold hillside. In a designer binding by Paul Delrue depicting the setting at the... More about La Belle Dame Sans Merci
Huntington Beach, CA: Der Kolibri Press, 1985. (6)ff., accordionfold. One of twenty-five copies. Signed by the illustrator, Margaret Class, below the colophon. The verse of Isaiah 31:5 is paired with two woodcuts of hummingbirds. Bound in half-leather with striking pictorial paper over boards displaying birds and flowers in vibrant colors... More about "...Like Birds Hovering"
Paris: Didot, Firmin, (c. 1835). 80pp. A beautiful children's prayer book, illustrated with five engraved plates and an engraved title page. The plates depict scenes from the life of Christ to inspire fervent young readers. These were put out over time in various bindings, but this copy is bound in... More about Le Petit Paroissien de L'Enfance
Paris: Typographie de Firmin Didot, (c. 1810). 125pp., + (8)ff. Eight engravings on beige paper. The absurd adventures of Pierrot, born from a turkey's egg to La Fee Gourmande, and dedicated to gourmandise from that moment on, until his gluttony proves too much and dooms him. An extremely rare cautionary... More about Petite Histoire Grotesque de Pierrot Goulu
Paris: Henri Didot, 1827. 96pp. This is the first volume to be printed with Didot’s 2 1/2-point microscopic type, which was the smallest produced to that date and is noted for its beauty and clarity. Bound in contemporary polished brown morocco with gilt-tooled decoration on both covers and an elegant... More about Maximes et Réflexions Morales du Duc de La Rochefoucauld
(c. 1998). 7pp., accordion-fold. Personalized miniature book sent to Anne and David Bromer by French artist Bertrand Dorny. Dorny and his wife, Anne Walker, a fellow book artist who grew up around Boston, share a studio in Paris. Dorny and Walker and the Bromers were friends for many years, bonding... More about Miniature artist's book
1998. 6pp., accordion-fold. Personalized miniature book sent as a New Year's greeting to Anne and David Bromer. French artist Bertrand Dorny, who makes extensive use of color, texture, and collage in his designs, and his wife, Anne Walker, a fellow book artist who grew up around Boston, share a studio... More about Bonne Annee 1998
Paris: P. Rocolet, 1664. 320pp. Engraved frontispiece depicting two worshippers in stately garb each standing atop a heraldic device. This book of hours was designed with travelers in mind, from its convenient size to its durable binding to its conclusion, which bears a prayer specifically for those on a journey... More about Heures aux Cavaliers. L'Exercise du Cavalier Chrestien. Pour Chacque Iour de la Semaine
