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.
Zuilichem, The Netherlands: Catharijne Press, 1990. (30)ff. One of 150 copies. The activities of each month, illustrated with twelve full-page hand-colored plates. On the reverse of each illustration is a rhyming couplet pertinent to the month of year. Very fine in hand-colored vellum over boards. (1 7/8 by 2 1/2;..... More
![The History of Reynard the Fox [The Tormenting of Tibert]. Christopher Harrisson, trans](/pictures/thumb/27396.JPG?v=1630529836)
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
N.p. Margaret Challenger, 1999. (8)ff.; (8)ff., bound dos-à-dos. One of fifteen copies. This manuscript's story, book design, and calligraphy are by Margaret Challenger, who also made the marbled-paper wrappers. She highlights various words throughout the natural landscape that include the word "Cat" or related terms, including "cattleya orchids," "tiger lilies,"..... More
(Vienna, VA): Jo Ann Reisler, (1982). From an edition of 150, this is one of thirty-five copies hand-colored and signed by the artist, Sarah Chamberlain. A 28-panel panorama bestiary, with each letter of the alphabet illustrated with a different bird or animal in a winsome wood engraving. Accompanied by an..... More
Watertown, MA: Bromer, Anne & David, 1977. (24)pp., frenchfold. One of 150 copies, signed by the printer/illustrator, Sarah Chamberlain. Illustrated with ten charming wood engravings, the text is the first English poem for children intended for sheer amusement. This is Chamberlain's first book commission and the Bromers' first miniature book..... 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. Fine, with some edgewear to slipcase..... More
Belgrade: 1978. Two volumes. 134; 134pp. One of 1000 copies. Full text in Hungarian, Russian, English, and German. The story of a suspenseful series of championship chess games, with a complete list of the moves and many photographs. The two volumes are identical, except that one is half the size..... More
London (but Hertfordshire): John Marshall (but Anne and Peter Stockham), 1801 (but 1976). One of forty-eight copies. In this "cabinet," there are two miniature books and a collection of twenty-eight hand-colored engravings of the objects listed in the books. The books are bound in full leather, one maroon and one..... More
Paris: P. Blanchard, 1810. 189pp. Engraved frontispiece, after the painting "La Vierge à l'Enfant avec le petit saint Jean-Baptiste" by Raphael, and an engraved title page, showing a young boy dressed in a tunic and praying in a garden. A charming volume replete with prayers for all situations and events..... More
Boston: Bromer, Anne & David, 1984. 14pp. One of 200 copies printed by Rez' Lingen at the Poote Press and signed by her. First edition of Clemens's humorous contribution to an autograph book presented to Mrs. Grover Cleveland in 1889 in appreciation of her support for an international copyright law..... More
Richmond, VA: Cyclone Books, 2021. (v), 13, (10)pp. From an edition of thirty, this is one of fifteen lettered copies, printed on Twinrocker Da Vinci handmade paper and bound in full leather by Deborah Evetts. Signed by the author, the printer, and the binder. Frontispiece portrait of Manutius. A brief..... More
Los Angeles: Dawson's Book Shop, 1972. iv, 57pp. One of 200 copies. A no-nonsense guide to Greek grammar, intended to "smooth the student's way and enliven his task at the start." In the Preface, the author thanks Glen Dawson for his generous contribution of twenty dollars, which allowed for the..... More
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
Worcester, MA: Achille J. St. Onge, 1973. 55pp. The text is printed with large ornamental initials in red by Joh. Enschedé en Zonen. In a striking designer binding by Stephen Conway, evoking ancient wood and stone. Conway writes that his bindings "have a tactile quality, in keeping with the three..... More
NY: 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. Lavishly illustrated in full color throughout, this set won first place in the Gift Book category at the prestigious..... More
(Watertown, MA): Anne and David Bromer, 1977. (24)pp. The text is printed on Japanese paper with ornamentation in green. Wood engravings by Sarah Chamberlain, as her first miniature book commission. This is the first miniature book published by the Bromers. Midori Kunikata-Cockram captures the whimsical nature of the text, which..... More
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
(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
Van Nuys: Hoffman, Richard J., 1988. 82pp. One of 250 copies signed by the printer. Text first published in 1921. The type ornaments chosen by Hoffman are arranged chronologically by designer (Garamond, Granjon, Rogers) and printed in color. The introduction refers to the printer's late friend, who insisted that the..... More
Paris: Janet, (1786). 24, 24pp., + engraved title page and 12ff. engravings. An almanac for 1787, with the customary data on moon phases and eclipses (these indicated by quaint interlinear illustrations) and saints' days. Inserted within the almanac pages are verses of love poetry, each with an engraved illustration highlighting..... More
San Rafael, CA: Feathered Serpent Press, 1988. (18)ff. One of 190 copies, signed by Susan Acker, the printer. With five postage stamps illustrated with stage coaches tipped-in. Reprinted from "The Sketch Book" (1820). Very fine in pink-printed boards, with matching pictorial endpapers. (2 9/16 by 2 1/8; 66x53mm). More
Mill Valley, CA: Figment Press, (n.d.). (12)ff. One of 150 copies signed by the printer/illustrator Diane Weiss. Printed in red and black, with type ornaments in blue, a "Smokey the Bear" postage stamp tipped-in, and delightful hand-colored pictures. As the bear grows up, the type and the pages increase in..... More
Kadan, Czech Republic: Jana Pribikova, 2015. (38)pp. One of six copies. Signed by Pribikova at the colophon. A concise history of Dutch windmills, with information on their locations, energy production, and various types. Delightfully bound in green morocco with red, yellow, and purple leather strips inlaid on spine over exposed..... More
(Boston): Anne and David Bromer, 1986. (15), (15)ff. From an edition of 160 copies, bound together here are one of the thirty-five deluxe copies with hand-illuminated initials in gold and colors by Suzanne Moore, and one of the 125 regular copies. Both are A.P. copies, indicated in Moore's calligraphy on..... More
(Wakefield, W. Yorkshire): Fleece Press, (1991). (28)ff. One of 290 copies. Illustrated with etchings by Anthony Christmas. Written by master binder Angela James, this attractive little book summarizes the history of binding, with a glossary. Bound in bright patterned cloth, with a printed label. Bookplate. (2 1/16 by 2 7/8;..... More
