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.
Brooklyn: Traders Press, 1969. 29pp. One of 500 copies. An essay on the history of miniature books and small types, together with a short biography of DeVinne by Jack Levien. With samples of small types and whimsical illustrations by Levien. A reprint of an important essay by the designer of..... More
Utrecht: Catharijne Press, 1988. (34)pp. From an edition of 165 copies, this is one of fifteen deluxe copies hand-colored by Luce Thürków and with the Art Nouveau initials beautifully heightened with gold. Extremely fine in full green limp suede with gilt-stamped label on the front cover. Housed in original green..... More
Frankfort, KY: Whippoorwill Press, 1979. (5), 9pp. One of 100 copies printed by hand on handmade Whippoorwill paper. Illustrated with linocuts in blue by Bonnie Baris amidst Franklin's step by step treatise on producing large paper with simple techniques. Extremely fine in beige buckram with printed paper label on front..... More
Frankfort, KY: Whippoorwill Press, 1979. (5), 9pp. One of 100 copies printed by hand on handmade Whippoorwill paper. Illustrated with linocuts in blue by Bonnie Baris amidst Franklin's step by step treatise on producing large paper with simple techniques. Very fine in beige buckram with printed paper label on front..... More
West Orange, NJ: Oldstyle Press, 1978. (24)pp. One of 65 copies. A brief yet comprehensive treatise on the evolution and manufacture of borders and floral designs in letterpress, with a splendid variety of borders printed in orange, blue, red, green, and brown. Bound in black cloth with paper label to..... More
Boston: Anne & David Bromer, 1983. (62)pp. First edition. From an edition of 400 copies signed by Gorey, this is one of 100 copies comprising the deluxe issue with the illustrations hand-colored by him. The text is an alphabet of short humorous couplets patterned after early moral primers for children..... More
Boston: Anne & David Bromer, 1989. (32)ff. From an edition of 400 copies, this is one of 110 hand-colored in metallic casein by the artist, and signed by him below the colophon. This Gorey rarity is bound in a one-of-a-kind designer binding by Brother Edgard Claes, a binder known for..... More
(New Britain, CT: Art Press), 1971. (16)pp., frenchfold. One of 50 copies. The Foreword by Massmann is signed by him. Hunter's account of the post-Civil War reuse of Egyptian mummies' wrappings by a Maine paper merchant is bound in stiff wrappers in the shape of a sarcophagus with the profile..... More
Needham, MA: Rosemary Press, (1916). (iii), 101, (2)ff. From an edition of 75 copies printed for the 129th meeting of the American Oriental Society, this is one of fifteen reserved for the Press. A charming miniature book featuring Khayyam's celebrated couplets on the recto of each page. The edition was..... 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
(Vancouver): Heavenly Monkey, 2008. 20ff.,+ 4 tipped-in paper samples. Second edition. One of 50 copies. Printed to mark the tenth anniversary of its original publication, El Autobus Azul was the first book printed by Rollin Milroy, and this new edition adds a Foreword by him. Four samples of papers collected..... More
Portland, Maine: Yellow Kid Press, 1970. (18)pp. Second edition. One of 100 copies. A short story about the activities of the cherubs who inhabit a set of initials produced by Stephenson, Blake and Co., England. Many of the cherubs are less-than-angelic, causing mishaps for their neighboring letters; letters N through..... More
Franklin, NH: Hillside Press, 1966. xvii, 42pp. One of 375 copies. Various texts by Shakespeare with twelve silhouettes by Paul Konewka. Fine in burgundy cloth over boards, faintly rubbed. (2 5/16 by 1 15/16; 60x50mm). More
Tübingen: Jäckle-Sönmez, 1991. 75pp. One of 150 copies signed by Sönmez. The carefully-researched text on the development of marbling in Turkey is in both English and German. With ten tipped-in examples of marbled flowers, including tulips, irises, poppies, and carnations, all in soft colors against marbled grounds. Bound in vellum-backed..... More
Santa Cruz: Peter and Donna Thomas, 1990. 32pp., printed rectos only. From an edition of fifty, this is one of forty copies bound oriental-style, and tucked into a board folder. Tied into the folder opposite the book is a group of eleven additional illustrations, each printed on a different kind..... More
Santa Cruz, CA: Thomas, Donna & Peter, 1995. 54pp. From an edition of 100 copies, this is one of twenty-five which includes a 2 dollar bill from Zimbabwe. Each chapter opens with an enlarged initial, which has been decorated with elements from the Thomas's travels in Africa. In boards covered..... More
Wakefield: Fleece Press, 1988. (35)pp. One of 240 copies. With specimens of Morrison's types printed in various colors. Fine in yellow and white striped cloth, with printed label to front cover. Housed in blue cloth-covered slipcase. Bookplate of former owner. (2 1/2 by 1 7/8; 66x49mm). More
NY: Miniature Dictionary Publishers, (c. 1930). 799pp. One of the series of dictionaries known as "Liliput Dictionaries." Corners lightly rubbed, text block slightly but safely detached at front, else fine in gilt-stamped calf. All edges red. (1 15/16 by 1 3/8 in.; 49 x 35 mm.). (Welsh 2396). More
N.p. n.d. (4) ff. A photo-reduced reproduction, with news of the day on the cover and horse race information inside. Fine. (1 5/8 by 1 1/16; 41x27mm.). More
N.p. n.d. (8) ff. A photo-reduced reproduction of Cleveland's major daily. Fine. (1 7/8 by 1 1/4; 48x31mm.). More
N.p. n.d. (8) ff. A photo-reduced reproduction of the Swiss paper Tages-Anzeiger. Fine. (1 7/8 by 1 3/8; 47x35mm.). More
(Newark, NJ: Caterteret Book Club, 1924). 16mo. (20)pp. One of 100 copies, printed on Swedish handmade paper for the members of the Carteret Book Club in December 1924. Contains remarks and descriptions of the items on display, arranged by type. In tan wrappers. Sewn into protective folio made of board..... More
Boston: Bromer, Anne & David, 1987. Square 12mo. This collection of designer bindings was assembled over two years' time, commissioning bookbinding artists from around the globe. Fully described and illustrated with color photographs, this catalog is a valuable reference and visual record of the style and skill of each of..... More
NY: Swann Galleries, 1990. Small quarto. 27pp. Auction catalogue from an important sale of miniature books from the collection of H. Marion Soliday, illustrated with black & white photographs. Also includes the Albert Cohen Collection of 19th-Century English Illustrated Books. Fine in printed wrappers. More
London: Bertram Rota, 1987. Octavo. 283pp., + (28)pp. of illustrations in both color and black & white. One of 400 copies. Barker's investigation of the Frederic Prokosch forgeries. In black, cloth-backed boards. Gilt-titled to spine. A little bit of dust and wear, else a fine copy. More
