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.
(Rochester, NY): Leopard Studio Editions, 2014. (24)pp., accordion-fold, with two four-page inserts sewn in. One of five copies, signed and numbered by the artist. A miniature artist's book by Sue Huggins Leopard based on the poem by Emily Dickinson, which reads: "Love is anterior to life, / Posterior to death..... More
Enkhuizen, Holland: Jack R. Levien, 1971. (12)ff. One of 100 copies, inscribed by Levien with a hand-written colophon. A facsimile of a miniature book published by Jacques Meson in Anvers in 1667. The text is extracts from the Gospel of John. With frontispiece and illustrated title. Fine in green grosgrain..... More
Valparaiso, IN: Sandlin's, 1994. 41pp. One of 200 copies. The text of President Lincoln's letter to Miss Fanny McCullough is reproduced on a foldout at the center of the book. Preceding the letter is an introduction by Ralph Geoffrey Newman, and following it are his notes. Fine in gilt-stamped black..... More
(c. 1900-1930). (110)pp. This Islamic devotional text is calligraphed in black and red and accented with blue and burnished gold. Illuminated with a hand-colored calligraphic frontispiece illustration in gold, blue, green, and purple ink. One section of the text opens with a decorative headpiece in green, and another page has..... More
Wellington, New Zealand: A.H. & A.W. Reed, 1962-1965. 526; 567; 559pp. All with illustrations throughout. The Proverbs and Place Names are reprinted from "regular" volumes at the time still in print. The Gospels is the first Lilliput edition, published by permission of the British Foreign Bible Society, first publishers of..... More
Paris: Marcilly, (c. 1830). 127pp. A beautiful little book of hours for young people, with engraved title and five plates, the most charming showing David dancing and playing his harp, as he leads the procession of the Ark. Contains the Order of the Mass and various services in French, and..... More
Paris: Marcilly, (c. 1840). 96pp. Printed by Firmin Didot, but with a Marcilly imprint. With engraved half-title and five plates, the finely executed illustrations depict scenes from the life of Christ. The prayers are arranged for special occasions: morning prayers, evening prayer, and prayers for communion and vespers. This tiny..... More
Paris: Marcilly, 1825. 128pp. With an engraved title-page and seven engraved plates which showcase the elaborate evening costumes of the period. Occasional light foxing, minor soiling to boards and rubbing along outer hinges. Overall a near fine copy in blind embossed boards with slipcase. (2 3/4 by 1 7/8; 70x48mm)..... More
(New Britain, CT): Robert E. Massman, 1970. (7)pp. accordionfold, plus fold-out calendar. The accordionfold pages provide an introduction written by Massmann, who states that this is his second attempt at typesetting haikus. The fold-out calendar sets two haikus next to each month of the year, all printed in deep purple..... More
(New Britain, CT): Robert E. Massmann, (1970). (16)pp. One of 150 copies. A cheerful collection of haiku and poems written and assembled as a Christmas gift for young Patty Terzano, the daughter of friends of the Massmann family. Printed on purple pages with white text, with light blue endpapers and..... More
(New Britain, CT): Massmann, Robert E., 1962. 51pp. Limited to 2000 copies. The first book printed by Massmann. An address given on the 150th anniversary of the birth of Elihu Burritt, reformer, pacifist and humanitarian. Very fine in the deluxe binding of gilt-titled blue morocco. A.e.g. (3 by 2; 63x46mm.)..... More
New Britain, CT: Robert E. Massmann, (1975). 15pp. With pen drawings in red by E. Helene Sherman depicting tree-shaded lanes, the Old Stone Bridge, and other outdoor and domestic scenes. Bound in blue paper wrappers with a paper label printed in red. Fine. (Bradbury, p. 241). (1 15/16 by 1..... More
(New Britain): Massmann, Robert E., 1971. (42)pp., frenchfold. No limitation stated. Printed in purple ink, with illustrations of twenty-five Christian symbols by E. Helene Sherman. Miniature bookplate of Haddon Klingberg, designed by Massmann, used as a frontispiece. Fine in white leatherette, with a label illuminated in gold by Sherman. White..... More
(New Britain, CT): Robert E. Massmann, 1981. (16)ff., frenchfold. One of 500 copies printed at Art Press. An illustrated alphabet by E. Helene Sherman, which is a reissue in a smaller format of the earlier "ABC's of Boston." It shows all the "must see" attractions of Boston. With title-page illuminated..... More
New Britain, CT: Robert E. Massmann, 1975. (17)ff. One of 250 copies. Compiled and illustrated by Mildred Claire Pratt. Poetry about seashells printed in a rosy pink on frenchfold papers. Hand-colored illustrations of shells on every page. A pretty book in blue cloth covers with paper label. Very fine in..... More
New Britain, CT: Robert E. Massmann, 1970. (16)ff. One of 300 copies. A triangular book, containing many drawings of "Sukie," a French poodle, in various playful poses, printed in brown. With touches of handcoloring by Eloise and Robert E. Massmann. Minor bumps to corners, else fine in wrappers showing Sukie..... More
New Britain, CT: Robert E. Massmann, 1985. (33)pp. One of 300 copies. Frontispiece color photograph of a young deer. Warner, a neighbor, friend, and colleague of Mark Twain, here expounds upon the sport of hunting with keen brutality, signature wit, and understated conservationism. Bound in brown leather with illustration of..... More
Newton, IA: Tamazunchale Press, 1987. 31pp. Truman Capote's essay describes his first meeting with French author Colette, during which she gave him a crystal paperweight and inspired him to start collecting the objects for himself. The book has been specially bound by Tom McEwan to reflect the world in miniature..... More
Conway, MA: Robert L. Merriam, 1975. 24pp. One of 1000 copies. Every other page illustrated with quaint scenes from the moral tale. Bound in pale paper wrappers and housed in yellow paper slipcase. Fine. (2 7/16 by 1 11/16; 62x44mm). More
Székesfehérvár: 1985. 106pp. One of the deluxe edition of 25 copies. This striking and novel miniature book is printed entirely on folded sheets of aluminium foil. It commemorates the 5th Aluminium Conference, which was held in Hungary in May, 1985 in order to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Hungarian..... More
Mexico City: Imprenta de D. Juan Bautista de Arizpe, 1817. (ii), 10pp. A remarkable miniature devotional, with a hymn, prayer, and meditation based on the work of Father Antonio Nutal. The printer, D. Juan Bautista de Arizpe, began printing in 1807 and enjoyed a prolific career, with WorldCat recording nearly..... More
Jamaica, NY: Minia Press, (c. 1945). (181)pp. Forty-four sonnets composed during the author's twenty-month correspondence with fellow poet Robert Browning that preceded the two writers' marriage. Many of the sonnets reportedly continue themes and sentiments articulated in the poet's courtship letters. Very fine in red cloth boards with gilt lettering..... More
Japan: (1964). One sheet folded accordion-style, printed on one side only. Reportedly from a Buddhist Temple, this sheet features three different styles of Japanese text. Bound in red silk with gilt decorations. Housed in clear plastic case with gold letters and within paper covering with sauwastika (a left-facing swastika) and..... More
(Vienna): K.K. Hofbibliothek, (1912). 22; (126)pp. A facsimile of Viennese printer Ludwig Bonnoberger's famous prayer book of 1607, presented to a gathering of bibliophiles at the Imperial Court Library in September 1912. Bound in buff cloth with interwoven silver threads. All edges are gilt and gauffered, with two indented circles..... 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
