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, 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...
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...
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...
(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...
Glasgow: David Bryce, 1895. 520pp. One of the smallest of all Bryce miniatures and the smallest complete New Testament ever printed. Bondy called it "staggeringly small." A tiny facsimile of the Oxford Pica 16mo Testament, advertised as "printed on the very thinnest Oxford Paper ever made." This is a fine...
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...
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).
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...
(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).
(N.p): Butternut Press, 1977. 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.).
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...
(Germany: 1834). 12 loose cards of paper and pink silk, plus two cover cards in metal, gold, and paper. Each month pairs each day to its correponding saintly figure, as well as providing an accounting for which day of the week each falls on. Each monthly card is headed by...
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.....
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...
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.....
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).
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
(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...
(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.).
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...
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...
![The History of Reynard the Fox [The Tormenting of Tibert]. Christopher Harrisson, trans.](/pictures/thumb/27378.JPG?v=1493395954)
![The History of Reynard the Fox [The Tormenting of Tibert]. Christopher Harrisson, trans.](/pictures/thumb/27396.JPG?v=1488320862)
