(Kitemaug Press)
Outrageous Cat Tales.
Spartanburg: Kitemaug Press, 1988. (20)ff. One of 100 copies. Fabrications about remarkable cats, illustrated with woodcuts. Fine in gray pictorial cloth. (1 15/16 by 1 9/16; 48x43mm). More
Miniature Books
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.
(Kitemaug Press)
The Boy Who Drew Cats: A Japanese Tale.
Spartanburg, SC: Kitemaug Press, 1979. (20) ff. One of 100 copies. Translated by Lafcadio Hearn. Illustrated with linocuts by Frank J. Anderson, the printer. The story of a boy saved by his own drawings. Sewn Japanese-style into Japanese paper, with gold-flecked wrappers. Fine. Housed in an orange paper sleeve. (2..... More
(Koran)
[Miniature octagon-shaped Koran].
(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
(Kurbel Books)
Canticle of the Sun.
Sudbury, MA: Kurbel Books, 1984. (20)pp., accordionfold. Panorama with initials illuminated in gold and colors by E. Helene Sherman, and illustrated with six Italian postage stamps showing the Saint's life. Translated by Rev. Joseph L. Curran. Layout by Robert E. Massmann. Bound by Bela and Mariana Blau in full blue..... More
(Lamb, Charles)
Mr. H. in America: Anonymous Redivivus.
Los Angeles: Dawson's Book Shop, 1981. 21pp. One of 150 copies. Charles Lamb's Mr. H. here receives coy, yet noble, bibliographic detail. Bound in full green leather with gilt title to upper cover. Fine. (2 13/16 by 2 1/16; 72x52mm). More
(Le Petit Oiseau Press)
One Solitary Life.
Chicago: Le Petit Oiseau Press, 1968. 7pp. One of 150 copies. With a portrait frontispiece of Christ tipped in. Printed by Doris V. Welsh. Very fine in half blue cloth and yellow boards. (1 7/8 by 1 7/16; 47x36mm). More
(Leavitt, Nancy)
A Road Alphabet.
(Stillwater, ME: Nancy Leavitt, 1993). (14)pp. One of twenty-six copies. A calligraphic manuscript using gouache and glair, written, designed, and bound by Nancy Leavitt. The letters of the alphabet are arranged into phrases about traveling. Presented in lively hues of orange, olive, violet, and periwinkle, the text is gracefully written..... More
(Leopard Studio Editions)
Love.
(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
(Levien, Jack R.)
L'Evangile S. Jean.
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
(Levien, Jack R.)
Noah's Ark.
Enkhuizen, Holland: Levien, Jack R., 1970. (30)pp. The story of Noahs ark, with Levien's charming drawings. Text in English. Minor discoloration to edges of cover, otherwise fine in red leather with a little ark stamped in gold. A.e.g. (1 1/4 by 7/8; 31x23mm). More
(Levien, Jack R.)
Miniature Books.
St. Louis, MO: 1970. 55pp. Illustrated throughout with photographic reproductions of miniature books. Book and binding designed by Jack R. Levien and printed in the Netherlands. Fine in full leather. A.e.g. (2 9/16 by 2; 66x51mm). More
(Lincoln, Abraham)
"The Death of Your Kind and Brave Father": President Lincoln Writes to Miss Fanny McCullough.
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
(Marcilly)
Le Petit Paroissien de la Jeunesse.
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
(Marcilly)
Soirées de l'enfance.
Paris: Marcilly, 1825. 128pp. With an engraved title-page and seven engraved plates which showcase popular party games 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. (Gumuchian 4139). (2 3/4 by 1 7/8;..... More
(Massmann, Robert E.)
Ere e Eme.
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
(Massmann, Robert E.)
Tiny Ex Libris.
New Britain, CT: Robert E. Massmann, 1979. (15)pp. One of 250 copies. Inscribed by Massman at the front flyleaf. A collection of "tiny charmers" of Massman's design. The bookplates are printed largely in brown, but one of a cardinal perched on an evergreen tree is in color. Bound in green..... More
(Massmann, Robert E.)
A Calendar of Haiku: A Seasonal Dialogue.
(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
(Massmann, Robert E.)
Haiku and Jingles; Or Poems for Patty.
(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
(Massmann, Robert E.)
Elihu Burritt: As Much a Brother.
(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
(Massmann, Robert E.)
Alpha and Omega: the Christian Symbol that was Haddon Klingberg.
(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
(Massmann, Robert E.)
Bibliography of REM Miniatures, 1962-1978.
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
(Massmann, Robert E.)
A Boston Cordial.
(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
(Massmann, Robert E.)
The Werm Turns.
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
(Massmann, Robert E.)
Moby Dick meets the Pequod.
(New Britain): Art Press, 1968. One of 250 copies. Designed, printed, and hand-colored by Robert E. Massman, this four-paneled peep-show displays drawings by C. Ernest Massman. The peep-show depicts Moby Dick rising out of the water in front of the Pequod. Very fine in printed wrappers and a paper chemise..... More
(Massmann, Robert E.)
Books (from "Clearing the Air').
(N.p.): Robert E. Massmann, 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