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.
Marcham: Alembic Press, 1998. (7)ff. leporello. One of 140 copies. Includes 13 stitched-in samples of miniature pastepapers from Maziarczyk Paperworks, which illustrate an essay about the process of creating pastepaper and the challenges of working on a miniature scale. Fine in boards covered with Maziarczyk's luminous "Copper Sponge" paper. A...... More
Santa Ana, CA: Gold Stein Press, 1993. 12pp., + (10)ff. First edition. One of 95 copies signed by the author, Ray Bradbury. This is an artist's proof copy inscribed by Bradbury to Lord John Press founder and publisher, Herb Yellin. Designed and bound by Joseph D'Ambrosio. A poem celebrating the..... 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
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..... More
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. More
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..... More
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. More
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... More
(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..... More
London: Edward Arnold, (1961). Octavo. 289pp. First edition. One of 500 copies. Illustrated with black & white photographs. Spielmann's useful catalogue is among the most important reference tools in the miniature book field. Bound in patterned, quarter-cloth boards, gilt-lettered to the spine. The dust wrapper is price-clipped, spine slightly toned..... More
(Boston: Thomas Todd, 1932). 30pp. One of 250 copies. The illustration used for the frontispiece was loaned by Wilbur Macey Stone. A true miniature book about miniatures written by collectors whose tiny tomes were auctioned at Swann Galleries on November 15, 1990. Outer hinge lightly rubbed, light uniform fading to..... More
(Boston: Thomas Todd, 1932). 30pp. One of 250 copies. With a frontispiece illustration reproduced from a print loaned by Wilbur Macey Stone. A true miniature book about miniatures written by collectors whose tiny tomes were auctioned at Swann Galleries on November 15, 1990. Fine in stiff mauve wrappers decorated and..... More
(Hyattsville, MD): Rebecca Press, 1986. 87pp. One of 350 copies. Signed by the designer, Rebecca Bingham. The second in a set of three fairy tales, "in which roses are significant story elements." Illustrated with original wood engravings by Sarah Chamberlain, who signs the colophon page. Bound by Green Dragon Bindery..... More
St. Petersburg: c. 1905-6. 14-carat pendant in the form of a hinged book containing three leaves with fine engraving work. The text begins with a plaintive song which was apparently popular in the salons of pre-Revolutionary Russia, and which closes with the line "Farewell, my invaluable friend/ Do not forget..... More
Watertown, MA: Bromer, Anne & David, 1979. 46pp. One of 150 copies. Signed by Darrell Hyder, the printer. With pen and ink illustrations by Janet Hobbs and an introduction by Herbert H. Hosmer, Jr. This is the text of the original manuscript, which was later shortened considerably. Bound by C...... More
Concord, MA: 1961. (16)pp. One of 200 paperback copies. Signed by the illustrator, Morton H. "Terry" Baker. Fields' most famous poem, illustrated with engaging line drawings, is followed by a brief biographical sketch of the poet. Minor wear, else fine. (3 1/8 by 2 1/8; 80x54mm). More
Franklin, NH: Hillside Press, 1964. 62pp. One of 350 copies. An entertaining account of the quirks, suspicions, and customs that characterize New Orleans. Fine in printed cloth. (2 1/4 by 1 15/16; 59x49mm.). More
Tilton, NH: Hillside Press, 1972. x, 38pp. One of 250 copies. With nine charming, hand-colored illustrations. Fine in peach cloth boards stamped in black. with an illustration of the elf beneath a mushroom. (Bradbury p. 95). (2 3/8 by 2; 60x50mm). More
Buffalo, NY: Hillside Press, 1981. 51pp. One of 250 copies signed by Eleanor Irwin, proprietor of Hillside Press. With a black & white photograph of Hubbard as a frontispiece. Dard Hunter's essay on his teacher is introduced by William Loos. Fine in yellow printed cloth. (2 3/8 by 2; 60x51mm)..... More
Franklin, NH: Hillside Press, 1963. 70pp. One of 310 copies signed by the author/publisher. Fascinating story of witches and magic. Very fine. (2 3/8 by 1 15/16; 60x48mm.). More
Franklin, NH: Hillside Press, 1961. 52pp. Limited to 350 copies handset, printed and signed by the author. Clever antic verses about all manner of things including "The Bookseller." A fine copy of the first book of the Press, in cloth-backed patterned boards with a printed paper label. (2 5/16 by..... More
(Hyattsville, MD): Rebecca Press, 1989. (30)pp. A book of poetic thoughts by the famous playwright. One of 250 copies. Signed by Rebecca Bingham Illustrated with three full-page wood engravings and engraved endpapers by Sarah Chamberlain. Designed by the publisher, Rebecca Bingham. Bound at the Green Dragon Bindery in cherry wood..... More
