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.
Japan: Miyako Akai, 2008. (62)pp. From an edition of 100 copies, this is one of 90 regular copies. An original story about a winter trip written in Japanese by Miyako Akai, who also designed the book, with editing and translation into English by Larry Seidman. Circles have been cut out... More
Neutitschein: L. V. Enders'schen K.-A. (c. 1917). (26)pp. A miniature German calendar, printed in red and black. Housed in a dark green leather portfolio, decorated with a gilt-stamped four-leaf clover to the upper cover. Loose in the portfolio, and pencil markings to two pages, else fine. (2 7/8 by 1 3/8; 73x36mm). More
London: (Company of Stationers), 1866. (40)pp. Half-page engravings across first two sets of facing pages. In addition to the expected calendrical information, this almanac also provides a table of British rulers' reigns through Queen Victoria, lists of the royal family, members of the cabinet, Lord Mayors, and the current sheriffs... More
(20)ff. One of the copies in which the pages have been folded vertically and bound into "finger" format. Entirely engraved. Contains the usual lists of royals, officers of state, bank days, Saints' Days, eclipses, and the like. Bound in full dark green morocco. Very fine in a matching slipcase that... More
London: Company of Stationers, 1820. (24)pp. One engraving of "The London Institution, Moorfields," which spans four pages. The almanac's calendar records the times of sunrise and sunset, as well as various saints' days and term times for academic institutions. The volume also provides a table of the reigns of the... More
London: Printed for the Company of Stationers, (1822). (21)ff. The pages are entirely engraved, with the arms of the Stationers on the title page. Contains the usual lists of kings, royals, officers of state, bank days, etc. Red leather binding in wallet shape, with flap to close and pocket for... More
London: Printed for the Company of Stationers, (1836). (22)ff. The pages are entirely engraved, with the arms of the Stationers on the title page and another coat-of-arms on the second leaf. Contains the usual lists of kings, royals, officers of state, bank days, etc. Black leather binding in wallet shape... More
London: Schloss, Albert, (1837). 64pp. "Poetically illustrated" by L.E.L. (Letitia Landon), with portraits of Landon, Queen Victoria, King William IV, Sir Walter Scott, Giulia Grisi, and Mozart. Also contains a calendar and lists of royal birthdays, European sovereigns, Queen's Ministers, the Royal Household, and Scientific Institutions. Tinier and more finely... More
(Austin: Amistad Press, 1981). (20)pp., frenchfold. One of 300 copies, signed by the publisher, Yolanda Carter. A sage anonymous poem that appeared in an Ann Landers column published in the Austin American-Statesman on September 14, 1977. Printed in green. Fine in pale green cloth with printed dust wrapper. (7/8 by 3/4; 22x19mm). More
Austin: Amistad Press, (1979). (30)pp. One of 150 copies, signed and numbered by the illustrator/publisher, Yolanda Carter. A collection of true stories told by Miguel Calderon, a lawyer and ambassador living in Mexico City, with black & white illustrations throughout by Carter. This was Carter's fifth book as the publisher... More
(Austin, TX: Amistad Press, 1977). (40)pp. One of 75 copies. Illustrated throughout in blue and gray. A collection of poems by Martha D. Fletcher, a poet and teacher from Alabama, that reflect on the natural world. Fine in gilt-stamped navy blue leatherette. (Bradbury, p. 4). (1 7/16 by 1 1/8; 36x30mm). More
Austin: Amistad Press, (1983). (40)pp., frenchfold. From an edition of 250 copies, this is one of an unknown number bound in leather, signed by Yolanda Carter. Contains many black & white illustrations of dragons from various cultures, reprinted from the 1981 edition of "Treasury of Fantastic and Mythical Creatures," by... More
South Freeport, ME: Ascensius Press, 2009. 19pp. One of fifty copies, signed by the author, James Lewis, in pencil. The story of the bookplate used by the distinguished collector Estelle Doheney. Tipped in is an example of Mrs. Doheney's bookplate, designed by Rivière & Sons: an elaborately gilt-decorated oval of... More
South Freeport, ME: Ascensius Press, 2009. 19pp. One of fifty copies, signed by the author, James Lewis, in pencil. The story of the bookplate used by the distinguished collector Estelle Doheney. Tipped in is an example of Mrs. Doheney's bookplate, designed by Rivière & Sons: an elaborately gilt-decorated oval of... More
Richmond: Attic Press, 1978. (52)pp. One of 150 copies of this, the last miniature book produced by the Attic Press. Inscribed by Willis Shell, the proprietor of the Press, and with an ALs from him discussing the delivery of this and another of his miniature books. Illustrated by Leslie Geilberger... More
Richmond: Attic Press, 1975. (20)pp. One of 60 copies signed and numbered by Willis Shell, the proprietor of the Press. The first edition of the first miniature book produced at the Attic Press. Handsomely printed with Gothic initials, this amusing poem is illustrated throughout with hand-colored line drawings by Eleanor... More
N.p. (1930). (28)ff. An informative watercolor manuscript describing the wing and rudder markings of aircraft from the United States, Latin America, Asia, and Europe. Most of the markings date from around the end of World War I, charting the rise of military aviation. The wing marking included under the description... More
Danbury, CT: 1889. 16pp. A miniature book illustrated with cartoonish vignettes throughout. The autobiography of this famous circus man, written in a humorous style and dedicated to "the Bearded Lady and her hairs forever." Fine in printed wrappers. (2 3/16 by 1 3/4; 55x45mm). (Welsh 405). More
Bristol: Wright & Albright, (c. 1840's). 27pp. An extract from the Biblical Book of Daniel. Bound in glazed brown wrappers, embossed to a woven design. Fine. (1 5/16 by 1 1/16; 33x26mm). More
Limoges: Dalpayrat et Depelley, (1886). Three 16mo. volumes, each with an engraved frontispiece of Christ on the Cross. 124; 124; 124pp. The text blocks are bordered on two sides by engraved devices with a floral and animal motif. The first and third volumes are beautifully bound in blue morocco with... More
London: Wells Gardner, Darton & Co., 1901. 149pp. + (1)p. ads. One of the "Midget" series of miniature books published by Wells Gardner, Darton & Co. With portrait frontispiece and fifteen plates. Light soiling to cover, small ownership inscription to front endpaper, else fine in cream boards with red and... More
Chicago: Black Cat Press, (1961). 30 pp. One of "a limited edition printed for friends at Christmas," with just fifty copies offered for sale. Printed in black with orange printer's ornaments. Bound in quarter green morocco and decorative paper gilt-stamped with tiny stars. A.e.g. Spine a trifle sunned, else fine... More
Skokie, IL: Black Cat Press, (1976). (30)pp. One of 249 copies. Printed in red and black. Very fine in maroon leather with single gilt rule border and titling on the front. (1 1/4 by 1; 31x25mm). More
Chicago: Black Cat Press, 1962. 84pp. One of 300 copies, designed and with typography by Norman Forgue. A humorous essay about famous book collectors, many of them authors, who allowed their delight in collecting to carry them beyond the limits of moderation into gluttony. Very fine in gilt-stamped green leather... More
Chicago: Black Cat Press, (1962). 32pp., frenchfold. One of 275 copies. The book consists of quotations from participants of the War. A fine copy in gilt stamped blue leather. (2 5/8 by 2; 67x51mm). More
