NEWSLETTER - Miniature Book Society

NEWSLETTER
NO. 95 - March 2014
INCORPORATING THE MINIATURE BOOK NEWS
Read about Robert Wu's latest exhibitions in Brief Notes on page 24.
President’s Message
March 2014
As you are reading this the turn of the year is far behind us,
and no doubt you are all looking forward to a good year ahead.
The passing of time also brings with it the passing of members,
and the MBS has lost several members over the last few months,
among them Frank Anderson, Jon Mayo and Jeanne Goessling.
They will be missed by all those who knew them.
One of the things I enjoy most about the world of miniature
books (besides the people) is the hunt for information about
Stephen Byrne
publishers, authors, illustrators, etc. Our web site, which is
authored by Karen Nyman, together with those of many libraries, universities and
museums, allows for extensive research and validation, which in turn assists in
cataloguing a personal collection. If you have not yet visited our web site, I urge you to
do so.
Conclave XXXII is on the horizon, this year in Boston, and I hope to see as many
of you as possible there. In looking through my archives a couple of days ago I came
across a report by Msgr. Weber about the second Conclave, also in Boston, in 1984
(Microbibliophile Special Edition 9th July 1984). It is interesting to see how the format
of Conclave has been maintained over the years, despite each one being unique in its
content. Long may it continue.
The MBS Board is busy making progress with a number of initiatives that will be
aired in future editions of the Newsletter. In the meantime, if you have any ideas or
suggestions about aspects of the miniature book world, do let me know.
Boston Athenæum
Editor's Note:
The Miniature Book Society is first and foremost a society of friends. These last months,
we’ve lost some of our good friends. At the same time, we’ve gained some wonderful new
members. Our newest member, Martin Baca, from the Slovak Republic, had this to say about
joining MBS, “What shall I say about so-called Lilliputian books? They are really charming…
a lot of people admire them…they’re interesting… they are the pinnacle of my bookshelf,
they confirm the ability of the bookbinder and artist… it is wonderful to hold a small book
in my fingers… and they’re the many reasons why I would like to become a member of the
Miniature Book Society. I am sure thanks to MBS that I can meet new people, learn new information about all aspects of these books and last but not least, I can collect more effectively.”
Thank you, new member Martin Baca, I couldn’t have said it better myself. Welcome to
you and all our new members!
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GRAND CONCLAVE XXXII
August 15-18, 2014
Boston, Massachusetts
Conclave XXXII will be held from Friday, August 15, through Sunday, August 17, at the Taj Boston
Hotel, the crown jewel of Boston hotels. Optional pre-Conclave and post-Conclave events have
been scheduled so arrange now to extend your stay and take advantage of all that has been
planned for you.
The Taj occupies the city’s most prestigious address at Arlington and Newbury Streets.
Renowned for its classic style and award-winning service, this 1927 landmark hotel overlooks the
picturesque Public Garden with swan boat rides and the Boston Common’s ice skating at Frog
Pond. Surrounded by art galleries, boutiques and restaurants, the hotel is ideally located near the
Theatre District, historic sites, shopping at Copley Place and the Hynes Convention Center.
We have secured an excellent group rate of $230 per night, with 3 suite options. All group rates
have been extended for 3 days before and 3 days after our event. To book your room, call the Taj
Boston directly at 1-617-536-5700 and be sure to identify yourself as a member of the Miniature
Book Society. For additional hotel information, please go to their website at www.tajhotels.com.
Reservations MUST be made by July 15, 2014, to be eligible for the special group rates. Do not
book online.
Hotel amenities include complimentary wireless high speed internet access, refrigerator, mini
bar, fitness center, flat screen TV with satellite service, safety deposit boxes, business center, gift
shop and more. The hotel is pet friendly and welcomes 4-legged friends year-round. Valet parking
is available at $44 per night.
The Taj is a 15-minute taxi ride from Logan Airport; fare is approximately $25. You have the option
of taking the subway (The T) Blue Line, then Green Line for the bargain price of $2 but this takes
about 45 minutes to an hour.
CONCLAVE REGISTRATION
Registration is $250 per person and includes keepsake bag, 3 buffet breakfasts, an open house
at Bromer Booksellers on Friday afternoon, reception and sit-down dinner Friday night, dessert
buffet on Saturday night, a Saturday morning program, admission to the Boston Athanaeum and
Conservation Laboratory on Saturday afternoon, admission to the Sunday Book Fair, reception
and Awards Banquet on Sunday night.
PRE-CONCLAVE
All early arrivers are invited to meet at Cheers Boston for dinner (at your own expense) at 7 pm on
Thursday, located right across the street from our hotel. Cheers Boston is known internationally
as the exterior of the bar seen in the NBC sitcom Cheers.
CONCLAVE
Friday: This will be a relaxed day to allow attendees to check in, register, and mix and mingle.
The Board meeting will be from 10 am to noon. Registration is in the afternoon. All attendees
are invited to visit Anne and David Bromer’s lovely book shop in the afternoon from 2 to 5 pm.
Evening activities include a cash bar cocktail hour, sit-down dinner, Book Swap, and our Silent
Auction.
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Saturday: A speaker or workshop (to be determined) will follow breakfast and the annual
membership meeting. Lunch will be on your own...lots of interesting choices nearby. In the
afternoon, starting at about 12:30, we will be touring the famed Boston Athenæum, one of
America’s oldest and most historically significant cultural institutions, and the Athenæum’s
Conservation Lab, dedicated to the care and repair of Athenæum holdings with inherent historic,
artistic or literary value. Located across from the Public Garden and Boston Common, both are a
short walk or cab ride from our hotel.
Dinner on Saturday will be on your own. At 7 pm, there will be a dessert buffet at our hotel and at
8 pm, the Annual Auction with Father Joe Curran as distinguished auctioneer.
Sunday: The Book Fair will follow Sunday morning’s buffet breakfast, for members only from
9-11 am, and open to the public from 11-4 pm. Box lunches may be available for dealers only.
Sunday evening’s Awards Banquet will start with a cash bar cocktail hour and sit-down dinner
with speaker.
Monday: Breakfast buffet.
POST-CONCLAVE
An optional Monday bus trip to Worcester is being planned to tour the Goddard Library at Clark
University and the American Antiquarian Society. Robert Bradbury has been working with the
Goddard Library’s rare book director to mount a display of 75 important miniature books plus
you will see a complete collection of miniatures published by Achille J. St. Onge including many
variants and rarities. The American Antiquarian Society (AAS) Library, founded by Isaiah Thomas,
houses the largest and most accessible collection of printed materials from first contact through
1876 in what is now the United States, the West Indies and parts of Canada. In between visiting
these 2 historic institutions, you will enjoy lunch at a Victorian mansion across from AAS. We will
return to the hotel by 4 pm. Please go to www.mbs.org for price of bus tour including lunch.
.......................................................................................................................................................................
DEADLINES
Conclave Registration:
July 15; mail check & registration form (available online) to:
Kathy King, 402 York Avenue, Delaware OH 43015
Taj Boston Hotel: July 15; see contact info on preceding page; reservations MUST be made by this date to qualify for the discounted group rate!
Auction Items:
July 15: proceeds benefit MBS; please mail items to:
Jan Becker, 1700 Dix Road Middletown OH 45042
Silent Auction Items:
August 1: proceeds split 50/50 between donor & MBS; mail to:
Karen Nyman, 702 Rosecrans Street, San Diego CA 92106-3013
Keepsakes:
August 1: MBS welcomes all keepsakes for the keepsake bag;
mail to: Father Joseph L. Curran, Sacred Heart Parish, 770 Mount Auburn Street, Watertown MA 02472.
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Father Joseph L. Curran, Conclave Host
For more info, go to www.mbs.org or contact Father Joe Curran at 617-924-9110
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2014 Miniature Book
COMPETITION & EXHIBITION
THE BLACK CAT PRESS
Remembering Norman W. Forgue 1904-1983
By Stepheny Forgue Houghtlin
Here is your opportunity to have your work seen by MBS members
as well as the public, and possibly to win one of three Distinguished
Book Awards. Enter now, and your work will be seen by everyone at
this year’s Conclave, even if you can’t get there yourself.
Here’s a quick reminder of the basic rules:
• The book can be no more than three inches (76.2 millimeters) in any dimension;
however the slipcase or other container may be larger.
• You may submit up to three entries.
• The book must have been bound and published in an edition of at least three like
copies.
• The book must have been published in 2012 or 2013.
• You must submit your entries before May 1, 2014.
The entries will be judged by a panel of professionals in the book arts. Their
charge is to select three winners based on creativity, appropriateness of the design
to the content, personal appeal, and technical excellence in all aspects of design,
printing, and binding.
The three winners will be announced at this year’s Conclave in Boston. The
winning entries become the property of the MBS, and may be incorporated into the
MBS Travelling Exhibit for a year; eventually they will become part of the permanent
MBS Archives at the Lilly Library of Indiana University. All other entries will be returned
to their entrants after the Conclave, unless they are donated to the MBS.
All entries will be photographed in color and included in the MBS Competition
Catalog. Every entrant will receive a copy of this Catalog, even if they are not members
of the MBS; all members of the MBS will also receive a copy of this Catalog.
One-of-a-kind artist’s books can also be submitted for exhibition at the Conclave, and
inclusion in the Catalog; however, they will not qualify for the Distinguished Book
Awards.
Enter now!
Entry forms and past Catalogs are available on the MBS website:
http://mbs.org/competition.html
Paper forms and more information are available from:
Tony Firman, MBS Competition Chair
P.O. Box 507
Haslet, TX 76052-0507, U.S.A.
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Norman Forgue and daughter Stepheny
Though some of you knew my
father personally because he was
involved with the MBS from the onset,
most of you know him only through the
miniature books you collect. I write this
brief remembrance in thanksgiving for
my father’s contribution to fine printing,
miniature books, and for you, who share
his passions.
When Horatio Alger wrote his books
for young working class men...the rags
to riches stories, Norman W. Forgue
could have been a character in one of
them. The Forgues were a large FrenchCanadian Catholic family that found its
way to Kankakee, IL. and eventually to
Chicago. My father learned the printing
trade aboard ship in the Navy. Though
he never graduated high school, his
intelligence, creativity, and endless hard
work earned him a reputation as one
of the finest printers in the Midwest. I
doubt that anything brought him more
pleasure during his career
than the contributions
he made to the miniature
book world. His lovely
little gems are readable
interesting stories, their
production flawless. It wasn’t until I was
invited to attend an
exhibition and opening
program of Inland Printers:
Continued on page 8…
Norman Forgue and his
Black Cat Press miniatures.
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Continued from page 7…
The Fine-Press Movement in Chicago, 1920-40, given by the Caxton Club of Chicago, that I
fully realized my father’s achievements. Being honored were Norman W. Forgue and his
Black Cat Press, along with many of his mentors and friends I’d grown up hearing about.
It was like stepping back in time; a child again in my father’s print shop where I lined
up old type face on the floor, with Norman nearby, working on a project - the very work
that is collected and appreciated to this day. In the last years of Norman’s life, the little girl who accompanied him to the print
shop helped him with the correspondence and distribution of his miniature books. I
attended the MBS San Diego meeting in his place. In the mystery of things, I hope that
he knows that the MBS continues on, and that his name and work are still appreciated
and sought after. Mark White, my youngest son, curates my father’s personal collection of miniature
books. He represents the BCP miniature books today. Mark may be contacted at: [email protected].
About Stepheny: Born in Evanston, IL. She earned a BA from the University of
Kentucky, is an avid gardener and addicted reader. Author of the novel, The Greening of
a Heart, she is at work on her second book set in Chicago. (Working title, Stardust, one
of her father’s favorite songs.) You can visit her at stephenyhoughtlin.wordpress.com.
MBS Newsletter Index, 1983-2013
by Karen Nyman
In 1989 and 1996, Evron Collins prepared Indexes to the Society’s Newsletter. Now a new
index has been prepared that is comprehensive, covering all 110 issues published since
our founding in 1983. If you have an email address, a pdf version of this new index was
sent to you recently as an attachment. Hard copies will be sent to MBS members who
contact me. Also available are some back issues of our Newsletter. Available issues are:
January 1994, April 1994, April 1996 and most issues published thereafter. These issues
are wonderful sources of information about miniature books, the Society’s activities
and members. To order a back issue or a hard copy of the index, please contact Karen
Nyman. Email: [email protected], phone 619-226-4441 or write to: Karen Nyman,
702 Rosecrans Street, San Diego CA 92106-3013.
Additionally, our website has a “store” page that lists the available Newsletter issues plus
bookends, totes, MBS publications and Competition Catalogs that can be ordered while
supplies last. Visit www.mbs.org/store.
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The Mite: Were Queen Victoria
and Louis Bondy Deceived?
By Stephen Byrne
In 1891 Ernest Robinson of Grimsby published what was then regarded as the
smallest English book printed from moveable type. It was The Mite, and measured ¾” x ½”.
A second edition was published in 1896, this time with an addition saying “Copy accepted
by Her Majesty”. A copy was subsequently placed in Queen Mary’s Dolls House, and is
listed in E. V. Lucas’ “Book of the Queen’s Dolls House” Vol. II p.381 under ‘Miscellaneous
books’. Here it states that it was the 1891 edition, printed from moveable type. Robinson
also published other miniature books, notably “Sundry Items” (1887) and “Grimsby and
Fish” (1930, according to Bondy).
My curiosity was aroused when I received an e-mail about an auction in North
Yorkshire which had included one particular lot of interest to miniature book people. The
lot was described as:
Grimsby and Fish, 1928, miniature book, cloth (2 copies); id., Mite, 1891, Grimsby,
miniature book, vellum
(with another two copies,
one vellum in metal case,
the other paper bound); id.,
Sundry Items, 1887, Grimsby,
miniature book, cloth (14
copies); Five Bryce miniature
books in glazed metal
carrying cases; A quantity of
miniature copper and alloy
printing plates, including
the ‘The Mite’; A photograph
and small quantity of letters
relating to Ernest A. Robinson.
The lot was estimated at
£80 - £120. It sold for £800!
Plate for The Mite, third edition, 1896.
But why my curiosity?
Photo courtesy of Tennants Auctioneers, Leyburn,
Well, according to a variety
North Yorkshire.
of sources, The Mite was
printed using moveable
type, yet here were plates clearly showing that not to be the case. Questions arose in my
mind. Was this for another, undocumented edition? Had Robinson deliberately misled the
public? How could I find out?
I contacted the auction house to ask if they could tell me who had bought the lot.
As is proper, they declined to name the buyer, but offered to forward a letter for me. I
wrote asking if the plates were dated and if I might photograph them for this article. The
first edition was indeed printed from moveable type, as the printing chase was in the
collection intact. The plate in the photograph was for the third edition of 1896, so perhaps
by that time Robinson had had enough of tiny type setting.
So the answer to my original question was clearly “no”, Queen Victoria and Bondy had
not been deceived, but certainly did not have the full picture of the publication.
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NO. 152 - March - 2014
Julian I. Edison, Editor
MINIATURE BOOK NEWS
8 ST. ANDREWS DRIVE • ST. LOUIS, MO • 63124
VABC MINIATURE BOOKMAKING PROJECT
The Virginia Arts of The Book Center (VABC) in Charlottesville, Virginia began and
completed a very interesting Collaborative Project in the Fall of 2013 to make miniature
books.
The VABC is a community of artists committed to exploring books, paper, and
printmaking through a hands-on studio of the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities.
They engage in humanities and arts projects with a community-access approach and
are a resource for individual artists, providing the public a direct experience with book
arts.
“The
VABC
group
decided in 2013 to start a
miniature book project,”
said Kevin McFadden, Chief
Operating Officer of the
Virginia Foundation for
the Humanities. “We knew
we wanted to make about
twelve miniature books—so we called it a ‘Bookmaker’s Dozen.’”
The group got underway in the Spring. Teams were selected to implement the
project which would showcase printing styles including letterpress, lithography,
etching, & giclée and a variety of folding/binding styles including coptic, stiff board,
accordion, and non-adhesive bindings.
TEAMS. We will open all projects to teams, assigning a team leader, with expectation
that all teams are responsible for producing all aspects of books; while teams are
encouraged to help spread experience through the membership, a team-of-one is
acceptable in this project.
Guidelines for the project:
DIMENSIONS. All books will have two flat covers measuring 2”w x 3”h in dimension,
with the third dimension (“spine” thickness) being no more than 3”; books should be
able to stand in some way; they may fold out and have sculptural qualities but they
must refold to the “book” between two flat covers.
PROVIDED MATERIALS. Board is readily available in shop already (be aware of grain
direction); paper for projects may be purchased after teams/themes are established if
we decide a common stock is useful; you NEED NOT use a common stock
EDITION/PARTICIPANT COPIES. A completed project will be 15 completed books
PLUS the number that the team plans to receive (NOTE: because of wide interest
and the burden of creating 60+ copies, all participants will not receive all books in
the collaborative set, only copies of projects in which they participated; there will be
complete sets and a few individual copies for sale/auction).
DEADLINES were established.
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MEETINGS. There will be progress and brainstorming meetings scheduled along the
way. Teams should plan to send at least one rep to meetings.
To do the job right, they needed some new equipment. That Summer they thought
of Kickstarter—a crowdfunding mechanism with lots of social media applications—to
spread the word about the search for some equipment. (Since Kickstarter’s launch in 2009,
5.5 million people have pledged $960 million, funding 55,000 creative projects.)
There was some basic equipment VABC requested that would be immediately useful
to the project—a Kingsley foil stamping machine, a guillotine paper cutter—and some
that were long-term needs of the shop, like a set of pristine new lead type sufficient to
layout a longer project. The initial budget was $6,000 to get this equipment.
The Kickstarter method, reached via the internet, proved extremely successful.
$10,000 was raised, exceeding the goal.
With momentum rolling their “bookmaker’s dozen” had swollen to fifteen books.
The books are the work of 27 local artists who’ve created works to a 2 x 3 scale. While
editions of each book may exist in 20-50 copies, only 15 copies of the complete collection
will be made in a handsome collector’s boxed set.
One set of books was raffled at the November 15, 2013 Raucous Auction, the
organization’s annual fund raiser. Another set was broken up for individual sales. Three of
the books were acquired by Kickstarter contributors. One has been acquired by the UVa
Special Collections department, and one will remain in the VABC’s permanent archive.
That means—if you’re counting—eight more are available for sale for $1,000.
Contact Kevin McFadden, [email protected] if you are interested in acquiring
one of these rare and spectacular boxed sets.
A really cool feature is that they made a 3 ½ minute video of this entire project!
Go to link: http://kck.st/16bhFYa
Miniature Book Project - Virginia Arts of the Book Center ... - Kickstarter
Here are the books in the collection:
The Gray Goo Problem
Research, design, printing and binding by Kristin L. Adolfson
The Gray Goo Problem is a miniature book about miniature particles. It explores
nanoparticles and their effects upon cells and the environment.
Poison Sisters
Illustrated, letterpressed, and handbound by Frank Riccio and Lana Lambert
Poison Sisters is an illustrated meditation on the science and folklore of two botanicals,
datura and belladonna. Jefferson Reappraised
“Audited,” designed, letterpress printed and cloth-bound by Amber Karnes and Kevin
McFadden
Jefferson Reappraised is an exploration in citations from five decades of Jefferson
scholarship, reflecting the evolving perspectives on the Founder “more loved and
praised by his friends, and more hated and reviled by his adversaries, than any of his
compatriots.”
Anticism!
Written and designed by Kevin McFadden; printed and bound with assistance by
Katherine McNamara for Artist’s Proof Editions
Anticism! is a manifesto cry for more play in poetry.
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How To Draw A Cloud
Proposed by Dean Dass, with 20 VABC members working collaboratively
Prime of Life
Research, text, design, and construction by Addeane Caelleigh
A nonverbal book about a basic reality underlying the world around us, a reality
Mother ≥ Bear
Original text and artwork; designed, letterpress printed, and hand-bound by Angie
Hogan and Roger Williams
Mother ≥ Bear is a miniature-book-length poem that blends elements of field guide,
personal lyric, and cautionary tale with fold-out drawings.
3Q15 – The Copper Scroll of Qumran
Hand-printed and bound by Garrett S. Queen
Fact, fiction, mystery or ancient hoax,
Trees are the Answer
Designed, printed, and bound by Janet Eden
“Trees Are the Answer” is a book with a puzzle in its pockets.
Emily Dickinson Poem 24
Poem selected by Kirsten Miles, designed by Holly Odom,
Lost & Found
Letterpressed and handbound by Jennifer Noel Wingard
Lost & Found is a raw, multidimensional exploration of the lost and a cheeky guide
to the found.
Where are you from?
Designed and handcrafted by Jennifer Billingsly, with assistance by Matthew Gibson
Where are you from? is a personal look at the places that artist has lived through the
impersonal lens of present day images from Google Maps.
Temps Perdu / ”Lost Time”
Created by Alysin Lake, Mary MacNeil, Michael Swanberg, and Jennifer Wingard
This small book is about a journey through time, the road of life, and coming of age.
A Map To
Designed, printed, and bound by Stacey Evans
A Map To is a guide through familiar and unfamiliar space.
These Ancient Mountains
(Poem by Barney Brown) Designed and letterpress-printed by Bonnie Bernstein, bound
in boards by Yolanda Merrill.
Below are some of the equipment they needed for the project, and below that are
some of the results:
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Miniature Book News March 2014
Auto Vandercook converted to manual operation
Foil Hot Stamping
Machine
Heidleburg Windmill, or similar
production press
Moveable type, one complete set to print
longer works
Acquiring two C&P Pilot Presses
Designed and handcrafted by Jennifer Billingsly, with assistance by Matthew
Gibson. “Where are you from?” is a personal look at the places that artist has
lived through the impersonal lens of present day images from Google Maps.
Letterpressed and
handbound by Jennifer
Noel Wingard. “Lost
& Found” is a raw,
multidimensional
exploration of the lost and a
cheeky guide to the found.
Paper, modified accordion folding with
stamping and hand-colored touches.
Lithography Stones
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Guillotine paper cutter moved
from UVA to VABC and set up
Designed, printed, and
bound by Janet Eden.
“Trees Are the Answer” is
a book with a puzzle in
its pockets.
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MINIATURE NUMISMATIC BOOKS
Coin World is the principal weekly magazine devoted to numismatics, the study
or collection of coins, paper currency, and medals. Joel J. Orosz, a charter member of
the Numismatic Bibliomania Society, and columnist for Coin World, wrote two columns
(December 2013 and January 2014) about miniature numismatic books. He had been
“enchanted by Librarian Elizabeth Hahn’s exhibit of tiny numismatic publications.” Her
exhibit took place from October 2012 to October 2013 at the American Numismatic
Society’s (ANS) museum and research institute in lower Manhattan.
Librarian Hahn explained the purpose: “Our library is specialized and centers on books,
coins and currency from all over the world and we enjoy displaying a selection of these
items centered on a theme that changes annually. The present exhibit is centered on the
theme of miniature (and pocket-sized) numismatic literature, drawn from examples in our
collections. There is a rather limited number of such items…”
She went on: “The ANS Library contains seven books that are no larger than four
inches and can thus be considered miniature (by international standards). There are a larger
number of pocket-sized examples of numismatic literature, which were still rather portable
to the user. This exhibit will display some of those examples while exploring the novelty and
practicality of such a small size. Because of their small size, such small items are often kept
in the rare book room for added security.
”The title of Orosz’s articles--- Collecting miniature books: Small books are beautiful --reflected his enthusiasm of this year-long exhibition. They were first published in Coin World
(December 23, 2013). He first explained to readers what miniature books are all about. Then
he described the books in the exhibition, which we reprint here, with very slight omissions:
THE NUMISMATIC BOOKIE #31
Joel J. Orosz
Small is beautiful, says the old cliché, and that certainly holds true for numismatic books.
Earlier this year, while doing research at the American Numismatic Society Library, I was
enchanted by Librarian Elizabeth Hahn’s exhibit of truly tiny numismatic publications. The
exhibit at the ANS was truly a global affair, with miniature numismatic books from Russia,
Hungary, Japan, and Spain all on prominent display. One, Asao Hashino’s Old Coins of the World,
was exhibited, for comparative purposes, side-by-side with a Roosevelt dime (it was bigger
than the dime, but only just). At least six miniature numismatic books have been published
in the U.S.; let’s look—or squint!—at three of them in detail. We begin with Money: Some
Observations. No compiler is credited for this oblong (5.5 cm. high, 7.4 cm. wide) collection of
quotations on the subject of lucre. Sample: “Money is better than poverty, if only for financial
reasons.” (Woody Allen). Its frontispiece is a reproduction—in miniature, of course—of a July
22, 1776 “Perseverando”$6 Continental Currency note. As is typical for miniature books, it
hasn’t many pages—36—and was published by a small private printer (in this case, the Gray
Goose Press). Money also qualifies as a rare book, for only 50 copies were printed back in
1997. The second volume is more specifically numismatic: Colonial Coins: Illustrated with
Numerous Photo Engravings. Once again, no author is credited, and the book was published
by a small operation: the Hillside Press of Tilton, New Hampshire. Its 32 pages, as advertised,
contain several photo engravings of selected colonial coins. Each of the 250 copies printed
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Miniature Book News March 2014
feature, on the front cover, an
illustration inspired by the unique
1776 Massachusetts Pine Tree copper.
The third miniature book is the most
atypical. Mark Hoff’s American Coins
comes not from a small press, but
rather from a commercial publisher,
Andrews McMeel of Kansas City,
making it the commonest miniature
numismatic book. This 1996 imprint
is also unusual for its length—a
substantial 122 pages—not to mention its pictorial dust jacket. American Coins’ ambitions are
much larger than its dimensions, for it treats the reader to a color photo-illustrated overview
of U.S. coinage, from colonial through federal. If you believe that less can indeed be more,
you should start a collection of miniature numismatic books. Most are rare, all are delightful,
and none are costly (about $90 to $150 apiece). Next month, we will focus on three miniature
numismatic books that merge literature and money into one seamless (albeit puny), package!
THE NUMISMATIC BOOKIE, #32
Joel J. Orosz
Last month’s column featured three miniature (no more than 4 inches tall or wide)
numismatic books. Among the handful of such tiny tomes published in the United States,
three stand out as special because they are not only about numismatics, but also contain
“extras” relating to money. One has “old” paper money bound in; another boasts a medal
affixed to its front cover; still another—perhaps the ultimate in numismatic “extras”—has both
an American coin and “paper money paper” as integral components. James Lamar Weygand,
in Money to Burn, tackles the question: “where does old paper money go to die?” He discovers
that from 1866 to 1943, 30 to 40 companies used macerated currency to manufacture novelty
items, including, oddly enough, costumes for dancers. Published in 1972 at “Press of the
Indiana Kid” for Maestro Books, only 100 copies of this 24 page, 6.6 cm. tall volume were
produced. Bound in following its final page is a handmade envelope containing “shredded
paper money residue.” Money to Burn is the only miniature numismatic book with a fold-out,
but its content is more prosaic than typical fold-outs: it reproduces a 1906 ad for a wallet
made from macerated paper money. If you prefer your numismatic extras unshredded, Lionel
Austone’s Liberty Enlightening the World may be just the ticket for you. Published by the Gold
Stein Press in 1986, the year that the Statue of Liberty reopened after a two-year renovation,
this little (6.7 cm. tall, 33 pages) volume nonetheless recounts the Statue’s history, complete
with Emma Lazarus’ celebrated poem, “the New Colossus.” Information provided within reveals
that 142 copies were printed, 100 of them with a .999 silver “medallion” (actually, a medal) of
“Liberty Enlightening the World” affixed to the front cover, and 42 with the “medallion” plated
in 22k gold. This small (2 cm. in diameter) medal, reminiscent of the 1986-W Statue of Liberty
gold $5 obverse, was the work of “R.C.,” who is not credited beyond his initials on the medal.
The most numismatic of the miniature numismatic books, however, is Joy Goforth’s Symbol
of America: An American Indian Liberty. Not only about coins (the story of James Longacre’s
designing the Indian cent), it has a genuine Indian cent—obverse up—affixed to the front
cover. More than even that, its pages are, in a manner of speaking, actually money. According
to the author: “This book was printed on Crane’s bank note currency paper, used for the first
Miniature Book News March 2014
|
15
time in a book.” The endpaper designs are taken from Longacre’s patterns for coinage, and
one of the book’s illustrations is a portrait of Sarah Longacre, the purported model for her
father’s personification of liberty on the cent. In order to contain these features, Symbol of
Liberty is the tallest of all American miniature numismatic books, a “whopping” 7 cm. high!
Published in Dallas by the Somesuch Press in 1986, its run totaled 275 copies. (editor’s note:
Somesuch Press is the private press of Stanley Marcus, deceased head of Neiman Marcus
Department Stores) Joy Goforth boasted the best numismatic credentials of any miniature
book author, having edited the internal U.S. Mint newsletter, Mint Press, from 1979 to 1984.
Interestingly, for all three of these volumes, the numismatic “extras” don’t inflate their prices;
even Symbol of Liberty, when available, will cost no more than $150 to add to your collection.
(The above specific articles, above, are posted online at: http://www.coinworld.com/
articles/collecting-miniature-books and http://www.coinworld.com/articles/extra-goodieswithin-the-covers)
Following is a list of the books in the exhibit, and page 27 shows additional color photos of
the front covers:
-- Hoshino, Asao. Old Coins of the World. Numbered limited edition miniature book (no. 188
of 300). 192 pages, 2cm x 2cm. Japan: s.n., 1977. — Gift: Rick Witschonke
-- Istvan, Gedái. Történelmünk penzeken = (Münzen dokumentieren unsere Geschichte). 192
pages, 7 cm. Budapest, 1975.
-- Noticia de las Ordenes de Caballería de España, Cruces y medallas de distincion, con estampas.
10cm x 7cm. Madrid, 1815.
-- Petrov, S. David Robinson : v vospominaniiakh. 172 pages, 10 cm. Sankt-Peterburg :
Miniatiura, 1996.
-- Colonial Coins, Illustrated with numerous Photo Engravings. Hillside Press, 1974. Preface by
F. E. I. 6cm x 5cm.
-- Hoff, Mark. American Coins (Tiny Tomes). 127 pages, 4.5cm x 5.5cm. Andrews McMeel
Publishing, 1996.
-- Green, Ben. Numismatists’ reference and check book: being a list of coins issued by the
United States mint and branches, with principle varieties, private issues of gold, paper fractional
currency, and encased postage stamps, with provisions for checking and recording pieces.
(Number of coins issued in each coinage). 120 pages. Chicago, 1902.
-- Small Change: Obsolete British banknote designs. Haslet, Texas: Tony Firman Bookbinding,
2010. 20 pages. 4 cm x 7.5 cm. Gift: Rick Witschonke
-- Heath, Laban. Heath’s infallible counterfeit detector at sight: applicable to all banks in
the United States and Canadas ... with genuine bank-note designs. Boston : Laban Heath,
1864.
-- Patin, Charles. Introductio ad historiam numismatum. 251 pages, 13 ½ cm. Amsterdam,
1683.
-- Sambucus, Johannes (1531 – 1584). Emblemata, et aliqvot nvmmi antiqvi operis Ioan.
Sambvci Tirnaviensis Pannonii. 352 pages : plates ; 17 cm . Antverpiae : ex officina Chr.
Plantini, 1584.
[bound with]:
Hadriani Iunii medici Emblemata : eiusdem Aenigmatum libellus. 157 pages, 17 cm.
Antuerpiae : Ex officina Christophori Plantini, 1564
16
|
Miniature Book News March 2014
AUCTIONS, AUCTIONS, AUCTIONS
Last year was a particularly active scene for auctions of miniature books. Here are
some of the significant auctions.
In July, some rare books collected by Adell Venus were sold at the Leslie Hindman
auction house in Chicago. See the article about this sale in MBN 151, November, 2013.
The books were a part of a very large collection of miniature furniture and housewares
offered from her estate.
Lyon, France was the scene of a blockbuster auction, perhaps the largest since
the Arthur Houghton sale in 1979 in London. There were 327 lots, divided into three
categories: Livres Modern (53 lots), 19th Century (191 lots), and Livres Anciens (83 lots). I
understand all the books came from a French doctor. The “expert,” or person-in-charge,
for the sale was Alain Ajasse, who wrote a particularly interesting historical preface.
Here is the translation (from Google Translate, edited as best we could):
Preface by Alain Ajasse:
“It is not without humor that our collector analyzed his passion for miniature books.
Why collecting miniature books ? And why not? They exist since 2060 BC (a Sumerian
tablet ) and from the incunabula period. Printers have successfully been challenged to
assemble microscopic characters to form pages. And as in any collection it is important
to set a limit : the height or width of a miniature book does not exceed 76 mm.
Why miniature books? The reasons are many but the main ones are:
Maneuverability and discretion; for religious and political books during troubled
times; for “ Erotica” and, of course, for travel books, almanacs and reference books.
Children have generated a large number of miniature editions, especially in the
nineteenth century. The book, as an object, with miracle typographical technology and
binding, are yet still the main attractions for the collector.
There is therefore a mysterious world: a world with its own rules, its mysteries and
joys. A miniature book is not only a book, but it is almost always a masterpiece for
artisans of the book, such as printers, bookbinders, illustrators, born from a challenge:
challenge to the art and technique.
The smallest book artisanal period is a short poem, Bloem-Hofje C. Van Lange,printed
in 1674 in Amsterdam by Benedikt Smidt. Nowadays several dwarfs vie the title in
Germany, Japan, Yugoslavia, Hungary, England, and France. But modern printing
techniques easily challenge the limits of miniaturization and the true miniatures of the
past.
Miniature books are fascinating objects. Place one in a valuable library and all eyes
will be on it. They reign supreme , “Small is beautiful” -- that’s why these little creations
last through the time barrier. They are kept with love and they benefit generations of
avid collectors and libraries and refined bibliophiles who devote part of their fortune
and a large part of their time.
Collecting tiny is above all a fascinating hunting, as most are issued in limited
editions. They are rarely found in commercial bookstores. It often takes advantage of
the dispersion of a collection in an auction.
Miniature Book News March 2014
|
17
chasses décorées et dorées, tranches dorées. Rousseurs éparses coiffe supérieure légèrement frottée.
JOINT : Un autre exemplaire, minuscule, 71 x 46 mm, demi-reliure en veau rouge. Dos lisse orné et doré avec le titre doré. Petites
rousseurs claires éparses.
200 / 300 €
54.
The tiny world of books is a mystery, of hunting, whispered secrets and treasures
found and especially passion, because without passion you do not produce objects as
beautiful as we have, and without passion you do not build a collection like the one we
will disperse.”
ALBUM. SOUVENIR. À PARIS, s. n, s. d. (1825). Un volume, in-32, 88 x 65 mm, de (1) f. de titre, (7) ff. blancs, (3) ff.
pour les 6 premier mois, (2) ff. cartonnés divisant les 7 jours de la semaine, (3) ff. pour les 6 derniers mois, (3) ff. blancs, un
calendrier dépliant gravé pour l’année 1825. Encadrement ouvragé en métal doré, premier plat en nacre avec décor floral et
le titre “Souvenir” gravés. Le second plat est également en nacre avec une guirlande d’encadrement gravée. Une pochette
soufflet est fixée sur le premier contreplat. Complet du porte-mine doré servant de fermoir.
Une grande vignette en couleurs sur le titre et 12 vignettes octogonales en couleurs (25 x 35) mm.
200 / 300 €
55.
ALBUM. NON UTILISÉ. s. l., s. n., s. d. (XIXe siècle). Un volume, minuscule oblong, 40 x 65 mm. Demi-reliure à coins 134
en
maroquin rouge. Dos à nerfs orné de caissons dorés et portant le titre doré “Album”, filet doré sur les plats tranches dorées.
Quelques feuillets sont manquants au début, tous les autres (117) sont vierges.
30 / 50 €
Alain Ajasse
56.
ALMANACH BIJOU. COMIC ALBUM. LONDON, ROCK BROTHERS & PAYNE, s. d. Un volume, minuscule, de (1) f.,
31 ff., cartonnage éditeur souple, noir, premier plat titré, orné et doré, tranches dorées.
Une feuille
de titre151illustrée et 31 feuillets illustrés de figures humoristiques, légendées en Anglais.
216
40 / 80 €
Below are some photographs of the books. Unfortunately, we do not know at this
writing what prices the lots realized.
57.
ALMANACH. SCHLOSS’S ENGLISH BIJOU ALMANAC for 1840. LONDON, SCHLOSS, 1840. Un volume, minuscule,
20 x 15 mm, pleine reliure en maroquin havane. Dos lisse portant le titre doré, palettes dorées dans les angles des plats qui
sont mosaïqués d’une pièce de maroquin vert encadrée d’un filet doré et renfermant, pour le premier plat, le titre complet et
la date pour160le second plat. Étui à l’identique,
dans un petit coffret à fermoir d’origine accompagné d’une loupe, minuscule
170
pour aider la lecture.
- 29 JEUDI 17 OCTOBRE 2013
Rare et précieux
ensemble complet de ses
différents composants d’origine.
135
135
134
300 / 400 €
- LIVRES DU XIXe SIÈCLE 136.
GREENAWAY (Kate). ALMANACH. PARIS, HACHETTE, 1887. Un volume, petit in-18 oblong, 80 x 105 mm, cartonnage
éditeur illustré en couleurs. Tranches bleues.
137.
GREENAWAY (Kate). ALMANACK. LONDON, GEORGE ROUTLEDGE & SONS, 1887 - FREDERICK WARNE &
Co, 1925. Deux volumes, petit in-18 oblong, 80 x 105 mm, cartonnages éditeurs illustrés en couleurs. Tranches bleues ou
paille.
Vignettes en couleurs d’après les dessins de Kate Greenaway.
30 / 50 €
54.
6
10
3
7
4
5
ALBUM. SOUVENIR. À PARIS, s. n, s. d. (1825). Un volume,
in-32, 88 x 65 mm, de (1) f. de titre, (7) ff. blancs, (3) ff.
Vignettes en couleurs d’après les dessins de Kate Greenaway.
/ 60 €
pour les 6 premier mois, (2) ff. cartonnés divisant les 7 jours de la semaine, (3) ff. pour les 6 derniers mois, (3) ff. blancs,40un
138. ouvragé
GREENAWAY
KATE
GREENAWAY’S
ALPHABET.
LONDON,
GEORGES
& SONS, et
s. d.
calendrier dépliant gravé pour l’année 1825. Encadrement
en(Kate).
métal
doré,
premier
plat en
nacre
avecROUTLEDGE
décor floral
Un volume, minuscule, 66 x 60 mm, cartonnage éditeur illustré en couleurs. Tranches vertes. Petites piqûres éparses sur un
le titre “Souvenir” gravés. Le second plat est également en nacre
une guirlande d’encadrement gravée. Une pochette
feuillet. Belavec
état.
Grandes doré
lettres de l’alphabet
ornées de
en couleurs d’après les dessins de Kate Greenaway.
soufflet est fixée sur le premier contreplat. Complet du porte-mine
servant
devignettes
fermoir.
30 / 50 €
Une grande vignette en couleurs sur le titre et 12 vignettes139.
octogonales
en(Kate).
couleurs
(25BOOK
x 35)
GREENAWAY
BIRTHDAY
FOR mm.
CHILDREN. Verses by M
rs
Sale Baker. LONDON AND NEW YORK,
ROUTLEDGE, s. d. (1880). Un volume, in-18, 95 x 100 mm, cartonnage illustré de l’éditeur, tranches jaunes.
11
55.
2
382 illustrations de Kate Greenaway dont 12 hors texte en couleurs gravées par Edmund Evans.
/ 50 €
ALBUM. NON UTILISÉ. s. l., s. n., s. d. (XIXe siècle). Un volume, minuscule oblong, 40 x 65 mm. Demi-reliure à coins30en
maroquin rouge. Dos à nerfs orné de caissons dorés et portant le titre doré “Album”, filet doré sur les plats tranches dorées.
- 23 -
Quelques feuillets sont manquants au début, tous les autres (117) sont vierges.
17.
30 / 50 €
JEUDI 17 OCTOBRE 2013
30 / 50 €
CARNETS. NOTES-JOURNAL. s. l. s. n. s. d. Deux volumes, in-32, 94 x 67 mm, demi-reliures à coins en veau fauve.
Dos lisses ornés et dorés portant les titres dorés tranches dorées.
Deux petits carnets de 43 et 55 feuillets avec lignes tracées et entièrement vierges.
18.
200 / 300 €
Exemplaire portant un ex-dono daté de 1881.
9
56.
CASWELL (William Anthony). ALPHABET INUTILE. PARIS, LEFEBVRE, 1990. Un volume, minuscule, 60 x 53 mm.
en feuilles reliées à la chinoise couverture illustrée double emboîtage de l’éditeur. Bon exemplaire.
Édition Originale imprimée sur papier Japon.
ALMANACH BIJOU. COMIC ALBUM. LONDON, ROCK BROTHERS & PAYNE, s. d. Un volume, minuscule, de (1) f.,
31 ff., cartonnage éditeur souple, noir, premier plat titré, orné et doré, tranches dorées.
Une feuille de titre illustrée et 31 feuillets illustrés de figures humoristiques, légendées en Anglais.
52 eaux-fortes à pleine page de François Righi, accompagnées de 26 clichés-traits en blanc.
57
Tirage limité à 26 exemplaires sur Japon Kawasaki 33 grammes signés. Celui-ci, exemplaire S.
Avec 2 cuivres originaux emboîtés dans les plats de la couverture de l’emboîtage.
40 / 80 €
200 / 300 €
19.
CHENIER (André). BUCOLIQUES (choix). Introduction par Alphonse Séché. PARIS, NELSON, s. d. (vers 1900).
Un volume, in-32, 93 x 62 mm, pleine reliure moderne en peau maroquinée rouge. Dos lisse portant le titre doré en long
tranches dorées.
20.
CHURCH OF ENGLAND. THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, and administration of the Holy Communion...
LONDON, EYRE AND SPOTTISWOODE, s. d. (vers 1920 ?). Un volume, minuscule, 54 x 48 mm, pleine reliure verte de
l’éditeur. Dos lisse portant le titre doré. Tête dorée. Une plaque en métal repoussé argenté orne le premier plat avec un décor
de têtes de chérubins dans une couronne de roses (poinçons sur la plaque).
57.
Les “Bucoliques”, dont ce petit livre est composé, appartient à la première manière du poète.
40 / 80 €
Imprimé sur papier bible, avec une reliure peu courante.
120 / 220 €
ALMANACH. SCHLOSS’S ENGLISH BIJOU ALMANAC for 1840. LONDON, SCHLOSS, 1840. Un volume, minuscule,
20 xJEUDI
15 mm,
pleine2013
reliure en maroquin havane. Dos
portant le titre doré, palettes dorées dans les angles des plats qui
17 OCTOBRE
- 12lisse
sont mosaïqués d’une pièce de maroquin vert encadrée d’un filet doré et renfermant, pour le premier plat, le titre complet et
la date pour le second plat. Étui à l’identique, dans un petit coffret à fermoir d’origine accompagné d’une loupe, minuscule
pour aider la lecture.
Rare et précieux ensemble complet de ses différents composants d’origine.
300 / 400 €
- 7 -
JEUDI 17 OCTOBRE 2013
148
148
58
148.
98
197
256
114
255
18
|
113
HISTOIRE NATURELLE. PETITE GALERIE D’HISTOIRE NATURELLE. Oiseaux, Fruits, Papillons, Fleurs. PARIS,
IMPRIMERIE DE MAULDE & RENON, s. d. Quatre volumes, in-32, 82 x 53 mm, cartonnages blancs gaufrés avec un
décor d’arabesques encadrant les titres et une vignette en couleurs différente sur chaque premier plat. Ils sont rassemblés
148.
HISTOIRE
NATURELLE.
PETITEun
GALERIE
D’HISTOIRE
Oiseaux, Fruits, Papillons,
dans une boîte cartonnée
et gaufrée
avec
décor
floralNATURELLE.
et d’arabesques,
doréFleurs.
et PARIS,
encadrant le plat supérieur qui est décoré
IMPRIMERIE DE MAULDE & RENON, s. d. Quatre volumes, in-32, 82 x 53 mm, cartonnages blancs gaufrés avec un
décor d’arabesques encadrant
les titres et une Petites
vignette en couleurs
différente surclaires.
chaque premier plat. Ils sont rassemblés
du titre et d’une scène champêtre
en couleurs.
rousseurs
dans une boîte cartonnée et gaufrée avec un décor floral et d’arabesques, doré et encadrant le plat supérieur qui est décoré
du titre et d’une scène champêtre en couleurs. Petites rousseurs claires.
240
Ensemble rare bien complet
des huit figures hors texte en couleurs.
Ensemble rare bien complet des huit figures hors texte en couleurs.
300 / 400 €
149.
Miniature Book News March 2014
149.
HOMÈRE. L’ILIADE ET L’ODYSSÉE (Ilias et Odyssea). LONDRES, GULIELMUS PICKERING, 1831. Deux volumes,
in-32, 85 x 51 mm, de (2) ff., 351 pp. - (2) ff., 272 pp., pleines reliures en maroquin cerise. Dos à nerfs portant seulement les
titres dorés, filet doré sur les coupes, chasses décorées et dorées, tranches dorées.
300 / 400 €
|
19
HOMÈRE. L’ILIADE ET L’ODYSSÉE (Ilias et Odyssea). LONDRES, GULIELMUS PICKERING, 1831. Deux volumes,
Bel exemplaire avec un portrait et la grande vignette de Alde répétée sur les titres.
Miniature Book News March 2014
in-32, 85 x 51 mm, de (2)Texte
ff.,
grec.351 pp. - (2) ff., 272 pp., pleines reliures en maroquin cerise. Dos à nerfs portant seulement les
The third major auction, just after 2013, occurred at the Vero Beach Auction House
in Vero Beach, Florida on January 4. There were 16 lots encompassing 298 books. Some
unusual books were a Calvin Coolidge mini from the Kingsport Press of 1929, signed
by Coolidge, that went for $400; a superb copy of the Galileo in a leather binding that
fetched $1900, and a copy of the rare 1929 miniature book, The Sun, by Harry Crosby,
which was part of a group that included The Mite and Grey’s Elegy, that realized $3000.
The interesting aspect of this sale is that the books came from the Robert
Henderson collection via his wife. Robert was the son of James D. Henderson, the largest
American collector before World War I and publisher of The NEWS-LETTERS OF THE
LXVIMOS in the 1920s.
Where did Henderson’s huge collection go after his death? One rumor had it
that a good portion went to The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. This sale is the
first indication I am aware of as to where Henderson’s books have gone. Does anyone
else have information about this matter?
A Story about Kindness – MBS Style
By Barbara Williamson
I have always been amazed at the strong bond among Miniature Book Society
members. When you join MBS, you join a family of generous, knowledgeable and oh, so
kind, individuals. I, too, have benefitted from this amazing phenomenon and so, I want
to share a story that will warm your microbibliophile hearts.
The Miniature Book Society has a yahoo group that can be found at http://
groups.yahoo.com/group/miniaturebooks/. Some months ago, a disabled, kind man
in California, posted a message there. This good
man was not a miniature book person but wanted
to help a neighbor of his who was about to be
evicted. One of the only valuable things this
woman had was an Ellen Terry set of Shakespeares
in a rotating bookshelf. This bedridden gentleman
was ebay-saavy and expert in coins and stamps.
He was looking for an appropriate value and
potential buyers.
I saw his post and was captured by his
kindness and desperation for his young neighbor.
So I responded and recommended that he contact
277
MBS member and bookseller, Karen Nyman. He
did. Karen guided with him with her considerable
knowledge. She gave him a range of monetary
value given that the rotating bookshelf was not
277
292.
JEREMIAH RICH. LONDON, PRINTED AND ARE FOLD BY SAMUEL BOTLEY TEACHER, s. d. (XVIII siècle ?).
functional. She recommended that, in this specific
Un volume, minuscule, 67 x 42 mm, de 574 pp., pleine reliure ancienne en maroquin bronze. Dos lisse très orné et doré,
double filet doré d’encadrement sur les plats portant un décor doré à la Du Seuil, tranches dorées. Petites usures en pied du
dos et sur les coins.
case, to get the owner to repair the bookshelf. The
book owner had neither the ability nor the money A California family is still in their
293.
JOHN-THE-GIANT-KILLER. FOOD FOR THE MIND, OR, A NEW RIDDLE BOOK. Compiled for theuss of the
to do so. He wrote me back outlining Karen’s kind home thanks to this set of Ellen Terry
great and the little good boys and girls in England, Scotland and Ireland. LONDON, CARNAN & NEWBERY, 1778.
Un volume, minuscule, 53 x 40 mm, de VIII pp., 112 pp., pleine reliure ancienne en maroquin framboise. Dos lisse très orné
et doré portant le titre doré, motif héraldique doré au centre des plats, tranches jaspées de jaune. Bel état.
advice.
Shakespeares and the kindness of
I ended up buying the set for the amount this MBS members.
294.
[LA PORTE (Joseph de)]. LA FRANCE LITTÉRAIRE OU ALMANACH DES BEAUX-ARTS contenant les noms et les
ouvrages des gens de lettres, des scavans & des artistes célèbres qui vivent actuellement en France. PARIS, DUCHESNE,
young woman needed to pay her rent. She sent
1755. Un volume, in-18, 126 x 68 mm, de (6) ff., 240 pp., pleine reliure de l’époque en basane marbrée. Dos à nerfs orné et
doré portant le titre doré, coupes décorées et dorées, tranches jaspées de rouge. Bon exemplaire.
the set to me with a lovely note that this purchase could likely turn the tide for her
family. My husband Ray fixed the bookshelf problem. I immediately listed it on ebay
295.
LIVRE BALINAIS. MANUSCRIT. BALI, INDONÉSIE, XIX siècle. Un volume, minuscule, 83 x 35 mm, de 20 fines
lames de bambou reliées entre elles par un fil traversant la reliure en bois demi-cylindrique.
for a Buy It Now amount equal to the purchase price I paid her. I didn’t want to make a
46
profit on someone else’s trouble.
Guess what? Promptly an ebayer bought the set for the amount I gave the California
47
198
228 INDONÉSIE, (fin du XIX ou début du XX siècle ?). Un volume, minuscule,
46
296.
LIVRE BATAK. MANUSCRIT. SUMATRA,
65 x 55 mm, écrits sur écorce d’arbre sous forme d’un ruban rigide et replié en accordéon, calligraphié sur les deux côtés
woman.
It looked like a buyer from Kentucky. When I sent a private ebay message to
enserré entre deux plaques de bois servant de reliure.
99
the buyer that this purchase had saved a young California family from eviction, MBS
47
198
228
member, Georges Toneman, from Holland, responded. Georges said he uses a friend
99
from Kentucky to facilitate his American
purchases. He was touched by the “rest of the
PAROISSIEN. DES PETITS ENFANTS. [PARIS], TYPOGRAPHIE DE FIRMIN DIDOT, s. d. Un volume, minuscule,
story” and gave me permission to tell his part in it.
48 x 34 mm, reliure en tissu avec les plats habillés de bois verni. Le premier plat est illustré et légendé. Salissures sur le bas
des feuillets.
Friends, this is the most valuable asset an MBS membership can provide – access to
L’illustration sur le premier plat représente la cathédrale Saint-Jean à Lyon.
the
kindest,
most generous, intelligent folks in ALL THE WORLD. I know it because I have
Frontispice et figures à pleine page.
50 / 100 €
experienced it firsthand. The best thing I ever did was join MBS. Please encourage your
voir la reproduction
198.
PAROISSIEN.
DESci-dessus
PETITS ENFANTS. [PARIS], TYPOGRAPHIEnon-member
DE FIRMIN friends
DIDOT,tos.dod.so!
Un volume, minuscule,
48
x
34
mm,
reliure
en
tissu
avec
les
plats
habillés
de
bois
verni.
Le
premier
plat
est
illustré
et
légendé.
Salissures sur le bas
PAROISSIEN. LE PETIT PAROISSIEN DE L’ENFANCE. LIMOGES, ARDANT, s. d. Un volume, minuscule, 55 x 33 mm,
deMiniature
96 pp., cartonnage
ivoire
gaufré
avec
un décor
géométrique doré. Titre doré en long sur le dos. Bon exemplaire.
desMarch
feuillets.
Book
News
2014
mbs newsletter March 2014
21
295
296
285
e
Portrait gravé titre avec vignette gravée. Ex-dono manuscrit.
100 / 200 €
Très nombreuses vignettes gravées.
100 / 200 €
Précieuse documentation concernant le XVIIIe siècle.
100 / 200 €
e
A l’extrémité du fil qui sert de fermoir se trouve un Tail chinois du XIXe siècle nous indiquant probablement la période à laquelle ce
texte a été composé.
Le texte est écrit par le procédé de la pyrogravure et traite des légendes du Ramayana.
250 / 300 €
voir la reproduction ci-dessu
279
e
127
e
279.
CONSTITUTION FRANÇAISE (LA). DÉCRÉTÉE PAR L’ASSEMBLÉE NATIONALE CONSTITUANTE aux
Sur les deux plats on observe le “lézard Batak” évoquant la divinité de la terre
“boras
pati
mi1790
tano”.
années
1789,
et 1791 ; acceptée par le Roi le 14 septembre 1791. PARIS, DE L’IMPRIMERIE DIDOT JEUNE, CHEZ
GARNERY, 1791. Un volume, in-32, 95 x 62 mm, de 160 pp., pleine reliure de l’époque en maroquin rouge. Dos lisse orné
C’est probablement ce que l’on appelle “un livre passeport” car il est transporté dansetun
petit
sacune
par
le chaman.
L’usurevert.
du Fine
tempset
les dorée autour des plats, coupes et chasses décorées et
doré
portant
pièce
de titre en maroquin
guirlande
frottements donnent aux plats une patine intéressante attestant de son ancienneté. dorées, tranches dorées.
Bel état pour ce premier texte d’un longue tradition française.
300 / 500 €
300 / 400 €
voir la reproduction ci-dessu
voir la reproduction ci-dessus
198.
280.
CONSTITUTION FRANÇAISE (LA). DÉCRÉTÉE PAR L’ASSEMBLÉE NATIONALE CONSTITUANTE aux années
1789, 1790 et 1791 ; acceptée par le Roi le 14 septembre 1791. PARIS, DE L’IMPRIMERIE DE DIDOT JEUNE, CHEZ
GARNERY, 1791. Un volume, in-32, 93 x 64 mm, de 160 pp., pleine reliure de l’époque en maroquin rouge. Dos lisse orné
de symboles révolutionnaires dorés
et portant
une pièce de titre2013
en maroquin vert. Triple filet doré en encadrement des plats,
JEUDI
17 OCTOBRE
coupes et chasses décorées et dorées, contreplats et gardes doublés de tissu moiré bleuté. Bon exemplaire.
281.
CONSTITUTION FRANÇAISE (LA). DÉCRÉTÉE PAR L’ASSEMBLÉE NATIONALE CONSTITUANTE aux années
1789, 1790 et 1791 ; acceptée par le Roi le 14 septembre 1791. PARIS, DE L’IMPRIMERIE DE DIDOT JEUNE, CHEZ
GARNERY, 1792. Un volume, in-32, 92 x 65 mm, pleine reliure de l’époque en maroquin vert. Dos lisse orné et doré portant
une pièce de titre en maroquin bordeaux, triple filet doré d’encadrement sur les plats, coupes et chasses décorées et dorées,
tranches dorées. Bon exemplaire.
- 45 -
Frontispice allégorique gravé.
300 / 400 €
Les pages 5 à 12 contiennent la Déclaration des Droits de l’Homme.
200 / 400 €
- 43 -
199.
20
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Avec un frontispice gravé.
JEUDI 17 OCTOBRE 2013
|
Remembering our MBS Friends
Frank J. Anderson
Frank John Anderson, 94, died peacefully in
Spartanburg, SC on November 14, 2013.
Frank was a Veteran of both World War II and
the Korean War. He enlisted in the Navy in 1943
and served his country on submarines. Frank
earned his B.A. degree at Indiana University and a
Library Science degree at Syracuse University. He
was head librarian at Kansas Wesleyan University
in Salina, Kansas, and then at Wofford College from
1966 until his retirement in 1984.
Frank was an amateur printer, a charter
member of the Miniature Book Society, a collector
of miniature books, pop-up books, submarine
books, domestic and foreign ABC books and
was the proprietor of the Kitemaug Press. Frank also served as the Miniature Book
Society Competition Catalog compiler and editor. He was the first recipient of the
Anderson-Yarnell Award in 1989. Frank was the driving force behind the Miniature
Book Competition from the beginning. He co-hosted the 1998 Conclave in Charleston,
South Carolina. He was a member of the Book Exhibition competition and authored
wonderfully written texts for the Competition catalogs.
Frank’s adventure into miniature books began in 1965. He obtained a 3x5 Kelsey
press and pied type. Then he was given a 5x8 Pearl treadle press and more pied types. Thus, Kitemaug Press was established. He produced a few regular sized books but
over 100 miniatures. He described his skills in printing, papermaking, binding and
marbling as “self thought.” Frank had a wry sense of humor evident in all his dealings
but especially in his miniature books. His colophon usually included “From the WORLD
HEADQUARTERS of Kitemaug Press”.
Jeanne Cleary Goessling
Jeanne Cleary Goessling,
mother of nine and creator
of miniature letterpress
books, died in Minneapolis,
MN on December 23, 2013,
at age 90. Jeanne was
born on Oct. 26, 1923, in
Oak Park, IL. She received
a BA in English from the
University of Chicago in
1944. Jeanne enlisted in
the newly formed Marine
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mbs newsletter March 2014
Corps Women’s Reserve and served as a photographer at Camp Pendleton in San Diego,
CA from 1944 to 1946. Jeanne earned her Master’s in Library Science from Rutgers
University in 1972.
In Evanston, Jeanne learned letterpress printing and bookbinding, began
collecting miniature books and produced her own under the imprint Gray Goose Press.
Throughout her life she produced wonderful art in many mediums, but was most noted
for her miniature books, Nevelson-like assemblages and fanciful snowflake ornaments
fashioned from tin can lids.
Jon Harold Mayo
Jon, a long-time resident of East Clarendon, Vermont, died
Christmas afternoon, December 25, 2013, at Mountain View
Adult Care following a prolonged illness. Jon was born July
15,1939 in Brandon, VT, to Harold and Viola Mayo.
While in high school, Jon became a Page at the Rutland
Free Library, a position he thoroughly enjoyed because of his
affinity for books. Upon graduation, he began employment
with the Charles E. Tuttle Company in the large red “barn”
shaped building on South Main Street. Jon moved from
shipper to bookkeeper to book seller, remaining with Tuttle’s
for over fifty years.
Jon and his sister-in-law, Jennifer Shannon, purchased the
old and rare book portion of the business from Tuttle’s estate
and continued to run the shop at 28 South Main until it closed
in 2006. Jon acquired a vast knowledge of old
and rare books, eventually expanding the shop’s
offerings into the field of miniature books that
became his passion.
Jon’s interest in miniature books resulted in
his acquisition of a small bi-monthly publication,
The Microbibliophile, a treasure trove of information
on current and past happenings within the world of
miniature books. Jon edited this publication from
1997 – 2006.
Jon was a member of several book related
organizations including the Miniature Book Society
where he served as the Vice President from 2002
- 2005. Jon’s wife, Sherry, continues to sell his
miniature books and welcomes all inquiries at
[email protected].
mbs newsletter March 2014
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23
BRIEF NOTES
Catalogues received:
MARCH 2014 CHANGEABOUTS
Karen Nyman Miniature Books— Miniature Book Catalog 48 — March 1, 2014
New Members:
As seen on the cover of this March issue of the Newsletter, Robert Wu’s beautiful marbled graphics as well as his
bookbinding is gaining international attention. Here are some of his recent work and exhibitions:
hh Commissioned binding from Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, University of Toronto, Canada on George
Barbier and Francois Louis Schmied’s art deco masterpiece- Personnages de Comedie, 1922, Meynial, Paris.
hh Designer binding Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream selected for Designer Bookbinders UK International Competition 2013 touring exhibition.
hh Toronto Reference Library’s “Flight”, featuring Marbled Graphics ™ “Phoenix Rising” from Osborne Children’s
Library Merill Collection.
hh Album Amicorum, Istanbul, Turkey, Exhibition of marbled papers by the best marblers from around the
world. 21 artists were invited.
hh The Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto,Canada. purchased Wu’s designer binding for a 1920 book, George
Barbier’s La Roman de la Momie.
hh Fisher Rare Books Library, University of Toronto acquired Marbled Graphics by Robert Wu, an elephant
folio portfolio with his signature “Marbled Graphics” designs. A truly unique and important contribution to
the world of book arts by a Canadian artist.
Robert is the sole proprietor of Studio Robert Wu in downtown Toronto Canada. He can be contacted at Robert@
studiorobertwu.com
Martin Baca
Vysna Sebastova 105
080 06 Presov 6
SLOVAK REPUBLIC
00421 915 356 267 (h)
[email protected]
Alicia Bailey announces Abecedarian Gallery’s two juried exhibits Spring 2014 in Denver, Colorado. February 21 – April
5, 2014, the gallery will host The Printed Page coinciding with Denver’s inaugural Mo’Print month of printmaking. The
fifth annual Artists’ Book Cornucopia will be held from April 18 – June 18, 2014. For more information, go to www.
abecedariangallery.com.
Michael Garbett is collecting material for a forthcoming book on London Almanacks, with particular reference to their
bindings. If any members have information about unusual bindings (eg metal, ivory, tortoise shell, mother of pearl,
agate, painted covers on paper, embroidery, unusual animal skin etc.) If you have information please contact Michael at
[email protected].
On December 10, 2013 at the Hotel Puente Romano in Marbella (Spain) Manuel
García de Fuentes y Churruca, a longtime member of the Miniature Book
Society, presented a lecture about, and an exhibition of, miniature books,
selected from his private collection and books that he has published. The
event was the Christmas Dinner Gala of the Marbella Rotary Club. After his
presentation, the members of the Rotary Club congratulated the new member
lecturer, expressing their surprise at such an unknown and exciting subject,
and stating that Mr. García de Fuentes had effectively “ opened a door to a
surprising small universe”.
Martin Wartelsteiner of Miniaturbuchverlag Leipzig announces a new miniature
book, The Prophet, by Kahlil
Gibran. The size of the book is
only 1.50 x 2.09 inches, and it
comes in a slipcase; 360 pages,
leather-bound, with the original
illustrations from the author. The
price is $29 with free shipping.
To purchase, email
[email protected] or
call 0049-(0)8571-602099-22.
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mbs newsletter March 2014
Dr. Horst-Dieter Branser
Schweizerbogen 19
Leipzig 04289
GERMANY
[email protected]
Stuttgart Miniature Book Club
Cheri Mastel
14640 East View Court
Brookfield WI 53005
262 783-5028 (h)
[email protected]
William J. Morris Jr.
7311 Ethan Lane
Spokane WA 99208-6084
[email protected]
Liza Porter
516 Latigo Row
Encinitas CA 92024-7270
858 367-8714 (h)
858 622-8238 (cell)
[email protected]
Lee Rolph
P O Box 328
Walkerville SA 5081
AUSTRALIA
61-0417-834-199 (cell)
[email protected]
Accent on Albums
Grace A. Scheibner
125 Coolidge Avenue, Unit 210
Watertown MA 02472
617 926-2189 (h)
617 495-7918 (o)
[email protected]
Harvard University
Kelly Houle
Kenneth Howard
P O Box 20152
Mesa AZ 85277
Allison Strauss
2431 Lakeview Avenue
Los Angeles CA 90039
323 422-9532 (cell)
[email protected]
Ravinder Reddy
5506 Castle Hills Drive
La Jolla CA 92037
Mark White
620 Berglund Place
Northbrook IL 60062
847 480-0825 (h)
847 421-9774 (cell)
[email protected]
Black Cat Press
Muriel Underwood
5333 N. Sheridan Road Apt 4-I
Chicago IL 60640
Telephone
Changeabouts:
Renewed Members:
Margaret Challenger
Victoria Retirement Village
100 University Ave E #306
Cobourg ON K9A 1C8
CANADA
905-373-1638 (h)
[email protected]
Gail Faulkner
248 756-4135 (cell)
Dean Gattone
3714 Grantham Court
Wilmington NC 28409-3676
910 264-2524 (cell)
[email protected]
Address Changeabouts:
Christina Amato
152 14th Street Apt 3
Brooklyn NY 11215
617 372-3732 (cell)
CAW
[email protected]
www.christina.birdseyecrafts.com
John G. Henry
222 7th Street NW
Mason City IA 50401
641 423-9239 (h)
Joan Hermanowski
3720 S Ocean Parkway
Highland Beach FL 33484
mbs newsletter March 2014
|
25
Advertising Rates
Full Page
Half Page
Quarter Page
4.5 x 7.5"
4.5 x 3.75"
2.25 x 3.75"
Send ads to:
Barbara Williamson
612 Harvest Drive
McKinney, Texas 75070
email: [email protected]
$100.00
$50.00
$30.00
Mail payments for ads (in $ US dollars)
(paypal address [email protected]) to:
Kathy King, Treasurer
402 York Avenue
Delaware, OH 43015
See Page 16
for the titles
of the these books.
Miniature Book Society Newsletter
A publication of the Miniature Book Society Inc. Number 95
Issued in March, July, November. Items for
publication, including advertising material,
should be sent to the Editor. Publication
deadlines are: February 1, June 1, October 1.
Payment for advertising should be made to
Miniature Book Society Inc. and sent to the
Treasurer.
The Miniature Book Society is an international
nonprofit organization founded in 1983
and chartered by the state of Ohio, USA. Its
purposes are to sustain interest in all aspects
of miniature books;to provide a forum for the
exchange of ideas; to serve as a clearinghouse
for information about miniature books.
Website: www.mbs.org
Toll-free phone (USA & Canada):
1-877-MBS-1983
Board of Governors for 2013-2014
President: Stephen Byrne
Vice-President: James Brogan
Secretary: Yvonne Perez-Collins
Treasurer: Kathy King
Members at-large:
Joan Knoertzer
Darleen Cordova
Cherry Williams
Michael Garbett
Membership in the Society is open to all
interested individuals, organizations and
institutions Membership dues in United States
dollars: $40.00 individual/couple for USA
members, $45.00 individual/couple for
Canadian members; $55.00 individual/
couple outside North America. Corporate
membership: $50.00 (USA), $55.00 (Canada),
$65.00 (outside North America).
26
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mbs newsletter March 2014
Membership inquiries and dues payments:
Karen Nyman, Membership Chair
702 Rosecrans Street
San Diego, CA 92106-3013
(619) 226-4441
[email protected]
Mail payments for ads (in $ US dollars)
(paypal address: [email protected] )
Newsletter Editor:
Barbara Williamson
612 Harvest Drive
McKinney, Texas 75070
(214) 548-4692
[email protected]
Miniature Book News Editor
Julian Edison
8 St. Andrews Drive
St. Louis MO 63124
(314) 567-3533
[email protected]
Manuscripts, letters and news items are
welcomed and are subject to editing due
to space and style limitations. Preferably
submissions should be made electronically, by
e-mail or disk. Attachments in Microsoft Word
would be preferred. Articles in the Newsletter
do not necessarily express the views of the
Board or of the Editor.
Deadline for the next issue: June 1, 2014.
Printed by Alliance Printing & Mailing Services
Middletown, OH
mbs newsletter March 2014
|
27
After 50 Years, Selling
over 5,000 Miniature
Books in Collection
For those of you who are MBS members,
please EMAIL to the listing in the directory. All others, please utilize email link:
[email protected] or [email protected]
An EXCEL file of the miniature book inventory will
be emailed to you. Feel free to ask for more photos on
miniature books and/or the other collections.
I reserve the right to not sell some items. The Excel list
is updated monthly. Only the latest list with prices will be
honored. To request list or correspond, PLEASE indicate
“miniature books” on subject line. Personal checks accepted from MBS members, in
US dollars. Paypal is accepted (with 3.9% of total to
cover fees).
NOTE: In February 2014, Eileen Cummings
lost many antiquarian miniature books to
a house theft. Police have a strong suspect
in the Los Angeles area. If you are a bookseller or collector that might have relevant
info, call 619-417-3113 with any leads.
THE MICROBIBLIOPHILE
©
A Bimonthly Journal About
Miniature Books and the Book Arts, since 1977
The Microbibliophile
P. O. Box 5453
North Branch, NJ 08876
“Try a single issue $7.00, postpaid”
Subscription Information:
[email protected] (PayPal available)
Be Sure To Visit Us At the 2014 MBS Conclave In Boston!