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.
Worcester, MA: St. Onge, Achille J., 1952. 27pp. One of 750 copies. Illustrated with a portrait frontispiece of King George VI by Karsh of Ottawa. First American edition of Winston Churchill's speech. Printed by the Chiswick Press and bound by Sangorski & Sutcliffe. Very fine in red morocco with gilt-stamping...
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...
Boston: Anne & David Bromer, 1989. (32)ff. This Gorey rarity features a one-of-a-kind designer binding by Gabrielle Fox, one of the leading artisans in binding and conservation. Signed by Fox and the artist, Edward Gorey. With twenty-nine illustrations accompanied by rhyming couplets, Q.R.V is an homage to Isaac Watts, and.....
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...
(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...
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...
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...
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.).
N.p. n.d. (8) ff. A photo-reduced reproduction of The Times. Fine. (2 3/16 by 1 7/16; 55x36mm.).
N.p. n.d. (8) ff. A photo-reduced reproduction of Cleveland's major daily. Fine. (1 7/8 by 1 1/4; 48x31mm.).
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.).
London: British Federation of Master Printers, (1960). 31pp. Frontispiece showing a collage of publications. The story of a display organized and exhibited by the British Federation of Master Printers. Near fine in white wrappers. (1 11/16 by 1 1/8 in.; 43x28 mm).
Lille: Castiaux, (c. 1800). (xx), 154, (14)pp. A "nouvelle edition, plus complette que la precedente." Illustrated with numerous woodcuts throughout. Includes the explanation of the rebus symbols preceding the collection of rebus puzzles, plus an answer key at the end. The puzzles reveal various thoughts, many on the subject of...
(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...
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...
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.
Los Angeles: Dawson's Book Shop, 1975. (27)pp. One of 150 copies, printed and bound by Vance Gerry. Contains a biography of William M. Cheney and a bibliography of miniature books printed by him between 1949 and 1974. Fine in decorated paper-covered boards, with a paper label and a printed dust...
Stockholm: Sällskapet Bokvännerna, 1966. 16mo. 71pp. Bokvännens miniatyrserie 22. One of 700 copies. Black & white illustrations throughout. Swedish miniature book reference, including a bibliography. Bound in wrappers, with some edgewear and toning to spine; else about fine.
Barcelona: Millà, (1950). Octavo. 58pp. One of 300 copies. Inscribed by the author. Illustrated with a full-color frontispiece depicting the printing and production of miniature books, as well as thirty black & white plates of miniature books, reproduced from pen drawings. A scarce reference book, in Catalan, on miniature books...
Frankfurt am Main: Sonderdruck, 1978. Square 16mo. 44pp. "Aus dem Antiquariat" Nr. 2. One of 100 copies, illustrated throughout in black and white. Fine, in tan wrappers.
Buffalo: Hillside Press, 1980. xv, 50pp. One of 300 copies. Illustrated with eighteen full-page plates. Contains a preface by Robert E. Massmann, as well as a life of Frank Irwin, co-proprietor of this well-known miniature book press, by Eleanor Irwin. Fine in red leatherette with gilt decoration to cover and...
Tilton, NH: Hillside Press, 1971. xix, 51pp. One of 350 copies. Illustrated with twenty-five full-page woodcuts and other illustrations. Contains a preface by Robert E. Massmann. Fine in green, gilt-stamped cloth. Bookplate. (2 3/8 by 2; 61x51mm). (Bradbury p. 95).
Paris: Charavay Frères Editieurs, 1881. 12mo. 125pp. One of 250 copies. With descriptions of 400 items.This is a scarce reference book, much sought after by the serious collector of early miniature books, A few small smudges, but on the whole a fine copy in the original printed paper-covered wrappers.
Chicago, Illinois: Lightner, (1943). Octavo. 329pp. First edition. Illustrated throughout with black & white photographs. A reference book on all things small, including doll houses and aircraft models, with a chapter on miniature books. Spine ends lightly bumped and a bit of yellowing to edges of text block. Fine, in...
(London: Java Head Bookshop, 1948). 79pp. One of 500 copies. Illustrated with plates reproducing pages from important miniature books in black & white, including the Pickering Diamond Classics Odyssey. A concise history of miniature books from the 16th to 19th centuries, and a tribute to the joys of collecting miniature...
