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.
(New Britain, CT: Art Press, 1984). (8)ff. One of 150 copies. A keepsake for the Miniature Book Society Conclave in Los Angeles, 1985. Lists and describes five REM miniatures about papermaker and historian Dard Hunter. With a tipped-in sample of Dard Hunter handmade paper. Fine in yellow wrappers and paper..... More
New Britain, CT: Art Press, (1983). (8)pp. From an edition of 300 copies, this is one of 59 numbered and hand-colored, in commemoration of the printer Robert E. Massman's birthday. Illuminated initials precede Sherman's calligraphy, which here presents a title page in Spanish and a Latin gimmick poem, which requires..... 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): Elihu Burritt Library (REM Miniatures), 1962. 51pp. From an edition of 2000 copies, this is one of a few copies in a variant binding of full leather. Illustrated with a portrait of Burritt, facsimile of a letter he wrote containing the title phrase, and an example of..... 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: Art Press, 1978. Two volumes bound dos-a-dos. 38; 34pp. One of 250 copies. The first volume contains the bibliography, while the second contains selected illustrations that had been drawn for REM miniatures, most of which are hand-colored by Eloise and Robert Massmann. Bound in brown leatherette with..... More
(New Britain, CT): Robert E. Massmann, 1979. 84pp. One of 1,000 copies, with a portrait of St. Onge tipped in as a frontispiece. A bibliography of the forty-six miniature and several larger books published by St. Onge, with notations of issue points. Fine in red gilt-stamped leatherette, with a matching..... 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: Art Press, 1971. (6)pp., frenchfold. One of 50 copies printed at the Art Press and signed by the proprietor, Robert E. Massmann. Several keepsakes in one, this tribute to Hunter includes a eulogy and a reproduction of a letter from Harrison Elliot, both held in pockets on..... More
New Britain, CT: Robert E. Massmann, 1983. (36)pp. One of 300 copies. Inscribed by Robert Massmann facing the half title. A satirical work of dubious-at-best librarian wisdom, with colored illustrations of the resulting five recommendations. Bound in full burgundy leather with paper label to upper cover. Fine in red paper..... More
(N.p.): Massmann, Robert E., 1987. (8)pp. Illustration of a bookish owl at the colophon. Calligraphy by E. Helene Sherman and illumination by Eloise C. Massmann adorn this charming keepsake commemorating Morgan's praise of books, which originally appeared as part of a larger effort given for the Miniature Book Society Conclave..... 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, 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, faint crease to back cover, else..... More
(New Britain, CT: Robert E. Massmann, 1972). (32)pp. One of 250 copies. A "tête-bêche," or reversible book, containing two excerpts from Mark Twain’s writings, each illustrated with a hand-colored frontispiece. In the middle are two fold-out miniature copies of “The Calaveras Crier,” as well as a center pop-up of “The..... 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
Gates Mill, OH: 1975. (27)pp. One of 100 copies, signed by Meunier, the author, illustrator and artist. Illustrated with reproductions of Meunier's marvelous animal drawings. Fine in red gilt-stamped cloth. (2 1/4 by 1 3/8; 55x42mm). More
London: R. Wilkin, (1728). A wonderfully illustrated thumb Bible with sixteen copperplate engravings, including two frontispiece illustrations, one preceding the Preface and another prior to the main text, as well as two engraved title pages. Issued by printer and bookseller Richard Wilkin, this is the first English thumb Bible in..... More
London: Rock & Co., (1845). (32)ff. Each page, including frontispiece and title page, illustrated with an amorous engraving. The images devoted to lovers, singly or together, provide especial insight into the fashions of Victorian England, with one image bearing a striking resemblance to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert themselves. Around..... More
London: Company of Stationers, 1783. Miniature almanac opening with an engraving of York House, spanning four pages. The almanac's calendar records the times of sunrise and sunset, as well as various saints' days and term times for academic institutions. The volume also provides a table of the reigns of the..... More
London: Company of Stationers, 1795. (26)pp. Opens with an engraving of the Drury Lane Theatre, spanning four pages. The almanac's calendar records the times of sunrise and sunset, as well as various saints' days and term times for academic institutions. The volume also provides a table of the reigns of..... More
(Turkey: c. 1875). 200ff. Complete, single column, with between thirty-eight and forty-one lines of miniature gold gubari per page. Surah headings in black against gold ribbon banners. The opening two pages of text feature illuminated blue, red, and white borders decorated with interlocking vinal circles, creating a mesmerizing array of..... More
Philadelphia: Max Rosenthal, 1876. 19ff. leporello. Contains chromolithographed portraits of the eighteen presidents during the first century of the United States. A leading printer of his time, Rosenthal was known for his full-size lithographs of patriotic themes, like the U.S. presidents and Independence Hall, and he undoubtedly produced this set..... More
