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: Robert E. Massmann, 1980. (5)ff. One of 500 copies. A foldout panorama, with flaps which unfold further to reveal changing pictures. Based on the early moralizing "Metamorphoses" or "Harlequinades," but with new, hand-colored illustrations. This one in particular is adapted from the 1852 edition "Improved and Published"..... More
New Britain, CT: Robert E. Massmann, (1975). (19)pp. Contains pen drawings in blue, illustrating famous landmarks such as Faneuil Hall, the Old State House, and the North Bridge monument. With a folding map in the rear. A larger edition of another Massman publication, which was paired with Tales of the..... More
(New Britain, CT): Robert E. Massmann, 1977. 28pp., frenchfold. One of 500 copies printed at Art Press. Classic nursery rhymes are printed with hand-colored plates. Blank plates must be opened and held to a strong light to "magically" reveal the images. Illustrated in color by C. Ernest Massmann. Bound in..... 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 haikus and poems written and assembled from young Patty, presumably Ankenbrand's daughter. Printed on purple pages with white text, with light blue endpapers and white wrappers. Very fine. Housed in light blue slipcase. (1..... 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. Massman, 1982. One of 250 copies. Illustrated throughout, with many small items of ephemera including a tiny Christmas card, a war ration book with four ration stamps in it, bookplates, and a sample of paper from Dard Hunter's mill. Bound in brown leatherette with illustration..... 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
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
(Jamaica, NY: Minia Press, c. 1943). 192pp. Printed and published by Edmund S. Wood at his Minia Press. A reproduction of the original, with Tenniel's renowned illustrations. Very fine in gilt-stamped red leather, with gold paper slipcase. Minor general wear to book, else near fine. T.e.g. (Bradbury, p.150). (2 1/4..... 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
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
Paris: Chez Janet Libraire, (1806). 1-16, 1-24, 17-32pp., + (12)ff. engraved illustrations. Title page also engraved. This miniature almanac includes calendar tables for the year 1806 and a list of eclipses, as well as twelve short educational poems. Each of the rhyming poems, consisting of three stanzas of eight lines..... More
Jersey City, NJ: Colonial Life Insurance Company of America, (1909). (48)pp. A chronological sketch of the history of the U.S., describing major events in the country's development beginning with Columbus's discovery of the New World and concluding with Taft's inauguration in 1909. Illustrated with line drawings of important historical figures..... More
Boston: Bromer, Anne & David, 1982. 41ff. One of just thirty-six copies. A miniature manuscript consisting of twelve original watercolor designs on soft gray paper by Robert Gould, showing hearts embellished with symbolic designs. These include the Heart of the Rose Tree, the Heart of the Medusa, the Wooden Heart..... More
Nappanee: Press of the Indiana Kid, 1967. (19)ff. One of 100 copies. Double title illustration and three sketches of the first airmail stamp. In addition there is an original airmail stamp commemorating the event and a photograph of an envelope that was on the first flight. Faint rubbing at corners..... More
N.P. Miniature Book Society, 1988. Fine in printed wrappers. (2 7/8 by 2 7/8; 73x73mm). More
San Rafael, CA: Feathered Serpent Press, 1985. (40)pp. From an edition of 175, this is one of 50 deluxe copies with an extra suite of nine etchings. A humorous etymology exploring the history and word-play of the word "bag." Illustrated throughout with hand-colored drawings by Weiss. Bound in tan leather..... More
