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.
London: Field & Tuer; Simpkin; Hamilton, 1884. 146, (16)pp. Comprises the miniature version of Quads for Authors, Editors, & Devils as well as the "enlarged edition." A book of jokes relating to printers, with a sixteen-page glossary. Quads, explains the preface, are "little metal blanks used by the printer for... More
(Birmingham: Printed by John W. Showell, c. 1838). 30pp. Bound in navy blue leather in wallet style with title in gilt on front flap and yellow endpapers. Gift note on front free endpaper. Front hinge starting, else a fine copy of a scarce book. (1 5/16 by 1 3/16; 34x30mm). More
(NY: Purgatory Pie Press, 1983). 16mo. (58)pp. One of 100 copies signed by the designer, E. K. Smith and the printer, Dko Faust. An alphabet, letterpress printed in gray, in which each letter is presented in a different format. Unusually bound in a soft red leather chemise which wraps around... More
(Van Nuys, CA: Collector Editions in Miniature [Barbara J. Raheb], 1979). 70, (2)pp. One of 300 numbered copies. Includes numerous illustrations by Barbara Raheb. Very slight rubbing to lower board, else fine in black leather, elaborately gilt-stamped with four jewel-like stones affixed to upper cover. Bookplate. (Bradbury, p. 201). (1 3/16 by 7/8; 31x23mm). More
Skokie, IL: Black Cat Press, (1980). 24pp. One of 249 copies printed by the Schori Press, bound by Bela Blau, and illustrated by Barbara Raheb. Designed by Norman Forgue, the Press’s proprietor. Very fine in cream leather with a gilt teddy bear on the front cover. The smallest Black Cat... More
(Tarzana, CA): Raheb, Barbara J., 1984. (28)pp., accordion-fold. One of 300 copies signed by Barbara Raheb, who calligraphed and illustrated the text, which is a compilation of Bible verses in Latin. Several illustrations in this copy are two-page spreads, as opposed to single-page illustrations found in the copies that are... More
(Tarzana, CA): Raheb, Barbara J., 1984. (42)pp., frenchfold. One of 300 copies compiled, designed, and beautifully calligraphed by Raheb, who has also signed and numbered the book. Illustrated throughout with variously sized decorative initials, musical pages with bars in red, and a full-page illustration of a seated scribe. Bound in... More
(Tarzana, CA): Raheb, Barbara J., 1984. (42)pp.. One of 300 copies compiled, designed, and beautifully calligraphed by Raheb, who has also signed and numbered the book. Illustrated throughout with variously sized decorative initials, musical pages with bars in red, and a full-page illustration of a seated scribe. Borders of each... More
Agoura Hills: Pennyweight Press, 1992. 32pp. One of 50-100 copies (not specified), signed by the illustrator, Barbara Raheb. This ancient counting song dates to a 13th-century manuscript housed at Cambridge University. It first appeared as a children's book in the year 1790. The reader joins in a medieval Christmas celebration... More
(Van Nuys, CA): Raheb, Barbara J., 1984. Two volumes, housed in a tiny wooden box with a sliding lid. On the lid is a pictorial printed label. The two volumes are: The Sugar Plum Tree. Poems by Eugene Field. (16)ff. From an edition of 300 copies, this is one of... More
(Tarzana, CA): Raheb, Barbara J., 1984. (28)pp. One of 300 copies signed by Barbara Raheb, who calligraphed and illustrated the text of what was a medieval illuminated manuscript. The borders of each page are colored gold. Bound in gilt-decorated black pyroxylin leather, with title in gilt to a red morocco... More
(Van Nuys, CA: Raheb, Barbara J., 1980). 35pp. Second edition. From an edition of 300 numbered copies signed by Barbara Raheb, this is one of an unknown number of hand-colored copies. With five full-page illustrations and three decorations, all delicately colored by Raheb. Bound in gilt-stamped black pyroxylin, with a.... More
(Tarzana, CA: Raheb, Barbara J., 1981). 88pp. One of 300 copies, signed and numbered by Barbara Raheb. With a black & white frontispiece and title-page vignette. Fine in dark blue gilt-stamped pyroxylin. Top edge stained red. Bookplate to front paste-down. (Bradbury, p. 211). (15/16 by 3/4; 24x19mm). More
(Van Nuys, CA: Raheb, Barbara J., 1981. (84)pp. One of 300 numbered copies, signed by Barbara Raheb. With black & white illustrations throughout. Some wear to spine and front board, else near fine in gilt-stamped blue leather. Bookplate to front paste-down. (Bradbury, p. 211). (15/16 by 3/4; 24x18mm). More
(Tarzana, CA): Raheb, Barbara J., 1982. 45pp. One of 300 numbered copies signed by Raheb. With six hand-colored illustrations and title-page vignette. Minor bowing to boards, else fine in brown pyroxylin-backed cork boards, with printed label, and marbled endpapers. (Bradbury, p. 212). (1 11/16 by 1 1/4; 43x31mm). More
(Tarzana, CA): Pennyweight Press, 1982. (72)pp. One of 100 copies, signed and numbered by Barbara Raheb. Contains two tipped-in plates with gold borders, and two pages with hand-painted gold borders. The plates were photographed in color by Thomas Raheb, from fine examples of Russian illustrated lacquer ware. The text is... More
(Tarzana, CA): Raheb, Barbara J., 1984. (22)ff. One of 300 copies, signed by the author, illustrator, and publisher Barbara Raheb. Frontispiece illustration of a medieval banquet, and the text is a facsimile of Raheb's own manuscript-style calligraphy. This miniature cookbook provides insight into the tastes and traditions of the Middle... More
(N.p.): Raheb, Barbara J., 1984. (34)pp. One of 100 numbered copies, signed by Raheb. Illustrated title page hand-colored, with twelve black & white head- and tailpieces. A book of twelve carols, with staves of music printed in red and black. Split in textblock, else near fine in red pyroxylin, which... More
(Van Nuys, CA: Raheb, Barbara J., 1981). (72)pp. One of 300 numbered copies. With black & white illustrations throughout. Fine in a variant binding of gilt-stamped white cloth. Bookplate to front paste-down. (Bradbury, p. 213). (1 by 3/4; 25x18mm). More
(Van Nuys, CA: Raheb, Barbara J., 1979). (51)pp. One of 300 copies. A diminutive collection of the works of this influential Quaker writer and abolitionist, featuring two poems: "The Barefoot Boy" and "Snow-Bound." It also includes a portrait of the poet on the second page. This is the third volume... More
Hyattsville, MD: Rebecca Press, 1988. 38pp. From an edition of 300 copies, this is “the third in a set of three fairy tales in which roses are significant story elements.” Designed by Rebecca Bingham, who signed the colophon, and printed by Darrell Hyder under the imprint of the Rebecca Press... More
(Hyattsville, MD): Rebecca Press, 1983. 118pp. One of 150 copies. Illustrated with whimsical wood-engravings by Sarah Chamberlain. Designed by Rebecca Bingham, who signed the colophon. Published in the bicentennial year of the birth of Washington Irving. Bound in blue cloth with paper label. Very fine. Bookplate of former owner. (2... More
(Hyattsville, MD): Rebecca Press, 1991. (18)ff. A special edition published to mark the birth of a daughter to the printer, Rebecca Bingham. Fine in blue and white handmade paper boards, with a birth announcement tipped-onto the front cover. (2 1/2 by 2 7/8; 63x74mm). More
Florence: Gaspero Ricci, 1838. 401pp. Engraved frontispiece and five full-page engravings distributed throughout. A miniature edition of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also known as the Hours of the Virgin, a liturgical devotion in imitation of and performed in addition to the Divine Office. For each division... More
Baltimore: Xavier Press, 1993. 19pp. A timeless essay by Lewis Carroll on the art of correspondence, illustrated with two pasted-in postage stamps promoting letter-writing and a fold-out sample of a letter by the author. In a designer binding by Dominic Riley featuring gilt-tooled envelopes and abstracted stamps in onlays of... More
