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.
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: David Bryce, c. 1900). (824)pp. Printed entirely in Arabic and representing one of the most famous of all David Bryce publications, these Korans were distributed to Muslim Ottoman soldiers fighting for the allies during World War I. Bound in elaborately gilt-stamped limp red leather, this item appears on the... More
Glasgow: David Bryce, 1893. 433pp. Comprising the most recent statistical information and notices of the most important historical events associated with the places named, also, The Last Census. Printed horizontally across the page. Original brownish cloth with ad for Pears Soap on the rear cover. Minor shelf wear, with a.... 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 and Son, (c. 1900). (58)ff. Contains two volumes bound in one: Tiny Alphabet of Animals and Tiny Alphabet of Birds. At the time of its publication, this was the smallest color-plate book ever printed. Each letter is illustrated with a full-page chromolithograph, for a total of 52... 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
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
(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
(Tokyo: Addo-Rie Studio, 1980). One of 100 copies. One of the most popular Buddhist prayers in Japan, printed on the famous Japanese Torinoko paper in both Chinese and Sanskrit with three hand-colored illustrations. When rolled up onto the red sandalwood rod, the scroll is covered by a Kawashima colored silk... More
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
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
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
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
![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
![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
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
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
(Utrecht: Catharijne Press, 1986). (32)pp. From an edition of 165, this is one of fifteen copies printed on specially selected vellum. The text is printed by Hans Hartzheim in four colors after a calligraphed original by Dutch painter Johannes Hendrikus Moesman. Bound by Luce Thürkôw in full vellum with black... 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
(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
N.p. D'Ambrosio, Joseph, 2003. 13pp. One of fifty copies, signed by the printer, Joe D'Ambrosio. A clever story playing on the many names and uses for potatoes. The tale follows Yam, the Sweet Potato daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Potato, as she is warned about the many hazards of life... More
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
A nineteenth-century French solid gold enamel binding containing five bone leaves. First appearing around 1820, the carnets de bal were used to record the order of an evening's dances, as well as the name of the partner for a particular dance. This opulent example is decorated with a leaf border;... More
(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
