We have divided our new catalogue into three sections: 1) The Art of the book 2) Artists and Illustrators 3) Miniatures.

You can print out a PDF version.

The first section features new work by Susan Allix, Tara Bryan/Lois Morison, John Gerard, Kristen Gudbrandsdo?tter, Janus Press, Ines von Ketelhodt, Susan Lowdermilk, M.K. Publishers, Peter Malutski, Red Angel Press, simplimente maria press, The Tern Press and Sande Wascher James.

We have also included some old friends – worth featuring again!

The second section is a scholarly selection of fully illustrated monographs and biographies of important artists and illustrators who helped shape the art and illustration of the last century.

Lastly, for collectors of miniature books, we feature two excellent presses – Black Cat Press and Achille J. St. Onge. Many of these little jewels have never been offered for sale before and all are in fine condition.

We hope you will enjoy going through the catalogue and, in particular, we wish you a happy and peaceful Summer.

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Looking back over a quarter of a century in the wonderful world of books – and mindful of the watershed change facing us in this era of extraordinary technological innovation – we are thankful to have experienced the incredible and unique atmosphere exuded by the printed page.

To explain this sensation would take a month of Sundays and better writers than I have tried. Suffice it to say it is a unique and very special privilege to be involved on a daily basis with the handling of books – especially if the books have been created by talented and dedicated artists and artisans who make these works of art for the love of the work. Often, these are made and sold at a fraction of their worth.

The reader may ask – why bother? That really is the question we have asked ourselves these past 25 years. I guess – a quick answer would be for the sheer love of it. So – in conclusion to this modest Introduction to our 25th Anniversary Catalogue it would be an opportune time to pause and record our grateful thanks to all the great people – the unsung heroes – the makers and creators of the books we have featured and sold over the years. With their help and encouragement – and with the support of our wonderful and faithful clients who have made it all possible with their purchasing and collecting of the works – we now continue on our journey looking into the future, confident that the small niche that we have carved for ourselves in this tiny corner of the book world continues. Thank you from Phyllis and myself. We consider ourselves lucky to have come this far and we are indeed grateful.

Please view or print the catalogue.

Happy New Year! Joshua Heller.

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Artists’ Books Catalogue, Summer 2010 (62 pages, 13.2 MB)

Twenty-five years ago we started our catalogue One off with a few fine books by Eric Gill. Now, after giving a recent talk on Gill’s work at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington DC and the mounting of an important show of Gill sculpture at the Royal Academy, London, we decided to list 30 of his books to start off this new catalogue. Item #7 is a rare set of the first editions of Gill engravings; #23 is an excellent reproduction by Gill’s nephew – Christopher Skelton – of the Golden Cockerel ”Four Gospels” bound by his daughter Clare.

In our Preview Catalogue over the best-forgotten Winter, we paid homage to the work of the late and much missed Jim Trissel. His work at the Press at Colorado College is legend – and we are privileged indeed to show twelve examples of his fine work at the Press (#40-#51).

We are featuring the work of several German artist/printers: John Gerard (#55-#61); Ines von Ketelhodt (#71-#82); Peter Malutzki (#83-#94); Otto Rohse (#109-#113) and a stunning Artist’s Book by Helmut Schulze: #114. These books give some idea of the expertise and great sense of design of these talented printers working in Germany today – and are an inspiration to all who come into contact with their work.

We have also included a new binding by Masterbinder Frank Mowery on an excellent T.E. Lawrence text (#95). A new binding is always cause for celebration as it is now seldom that Mowery has time from his conservation work to take on a new commission.

Two other important American designer binders are featured – the beautiful works by Donald Glaister (#62 & #63) and two early bindings by the talented Daniel Kelm (#66 & #67).

We were privileged to be able to acquire an interesting group of Wayzgoose Press titles (#120- #131) from Jadwiga Jarvis’s father’s “bottom drawer”. Mr. Jarvis – now in his 90s – decided that it was time for others to enjoy his daughter’s stunning creations – hence the headline to the Wayzgoose entries “The Last Hurrah” – the press has now sadly stopped further production – and the whole archive has been acquired by the State Library of Victoria.

Last but not least, in our Addendum secition we are fortunate to have a copy of Susan Allix’s new work “Rosas” with its unique binding. A real stunner. There are only ten copies of this small edition – each copy will have a unique binding and an original watercolor (#132).

Enjoy this catalogue with over 140 books; getting it together was like running the marathon!

Joshua and Phyllis Heller.

Artists’ Books Catalogue, Summer 2010 (62 pages, 13.2 MB)

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We offer for your consideration – with this list – a sampling of what we intend publishing in the Spring: our 38th catalogue – which will contain over 100 fine and beautifully illustrated books by a roster of talented practitioners of the Art of the Book. It will be amplified with over 150 color photographs.

The Catalogue 38 preview contains two-page spreads on 25 artists’ books currently for sale. Please enjoy the PDF print version, or dive into the individual listings:

We wish you a Happy Holiday Season.
Phyllis & Joshua Heller.

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Catalogue 37 offers 92 pages of the best of contemporary Book Arts, and includes nearly 20 pages on Modern Fine Bindings by Living Masters of the Craft.

Peruse the catalogue now online.

You can download the PDF version of the catalogue now (19 MB, 92 pages).

Some featured items include: Dante’s Inferno, 14 Modern Fine Bindings from Living Masters of the Craft, Enzyklopädie von Tlön

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• Susan Allix
• Leonard Baskin
• Lord Byron
• Maureen Cummins
• Timothy Ely
• Karli Frigge
• Louise Genest
• John Gerard
• Allen Ginsberg
• James Joyce
• Janus Press
• Franz Kafka
• Galway Kinnell
• Marinetti
• Jeff Morin
• Lois Morrison
• Wilfred Owen
• Rainer Maria Rilke
• John Ross
• Russian Futurism
• Ilse Schreiber Noll
• Carol Schwartzott
• Sande Wascher-James

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Buy 5 or more miniature books – 20% off

We are pleased to offer for sale, 150 miniature books of the highest quality.  All the miniature books we carry are being offered at a 15% discount; buy 5 or more and all the miniature books in your purchase will be 20% off.

Shop today!

Please note: the 20% discount for 5 or more books will not be displayed when you check out on the website.  However, it will be calculated and applied before your credit card is charged. Our apologies for any confusion!

Over a period of many years – the late Eighties and throughout the Nineties – certain times in our book business came to be known as ‘Lois and Jodi’s afternoon’. The ladies were coming to tea! This was a ritual that was carefully nurtured and orchestrated to the total exclusion of the writer of this introduction.

Great laughter and a careful exchange of news and gossip of events in the book world were traded. There was always much to talk about, especially a new miniature book that was about to be published – or to view a new arrival. The only interruption allowed was Lois’ exit from the get-together for a smoke in the garden. This comraderie of friends was something rarely seen.  It was always a joyful and satisfying time.

With her death Lois left behind a remarkable gathering of close to four hundred  miniature books in the finest condition – she was a stickler for obtaining the best copies with the best provenance. In addition, the collection includes a group of interesting correspondence with collectors, printers and artists, as well as some reference books.

Jodi, Lois’s heir, has now entrusted us with the results of the passion of this fine book collector. [ The original] catalogue, which [had] taken over four months to prepare, is a homage to Lois as collector and friend. Nearly two hundred books [were] carefully and professionally photographed [at the time]. One hundrred and fifty books remain and are now offered for sale at a discount to bring closure to the catalogue and the collection.

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Reviewing the just completed Summer 2008 Catalogue it is more than apparent that assembling the various components, making up the 70 pages, a wealth of great talent has come together to make this catalogue a reality. Over fifty artists, printers, photographers and fine binders have given of their talents, ranging from Susan Allix’s (now approaching her fiftieth artist’s book) new ‘Travel’ book Colours of Persia (#1) to Larry Rivers monumental pop-up Diana with Poem (#72).

Download a PDF copy here (12.15 MB) | click on the in the upper-right corner of the box above to see a larger copy

The catalogue is illustrated with over two hundred color images showcasing close to one hundred and twenty-eight books. Two notable poets have collaborated with the highly gifted Ilse Schreiber Noll. Galway Kinnell has written a moving poem about Love at the end of a lifetime in Promissory Note (#77) and Dennis Brutus renders an update on the city of Camden in For Camden (#78).

A special section – a tribute – is devoted to the work of the highly talented team of Jadwiga Jarvis and Mike Hudson. Their publications, under the imprint of The Wayzgoose Press (#116- #127), bear testimony to their creative spirit spanning over two decades.

Two further surveys are worth noting: that of Shirley Sharoff (#83-#91) – an American working in Paris, and John Ross (#38-#46) – over 80 years old and has published twenty artist’s books since he turned 70! As we quoted in the catalogue – it is worth being reminded of what Michelangelo (1475-1564) said:

“The greatest danger for most of us
is not that our aim is too high and we miss it,
but that it is too low and we reach it.”

Please enjoy our Summer offering – our Catalogue #36.

Index of Presses and Artists:

Susan Allix
Karen Bleitz
Rosamond Casey
Circle Press
Evelyn Eller
Walter Feldman
Flying Pyramid Press
Buckminster Fuller
Joan Iversen Goswell
Gloria Helfgott
David Horton
Inkwell Press
Jadwiga Jarvis
Mikhail Karasik
Jeanette Koch
Sara Langworthy
Melia Pres
Lois Morrison
Nicholas Parry
Red Howler Press
John Ross
Ilse Schreiber Noll
Seven Hills Press
simplemente maria press
Beth Thielen
Verdigris
walking bird press

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(Jim Dine) Complete Graphics. Galerie Mikro, Berlin. Petersburg Press, London.  1970. Unpaginated. 8.5” x 8.5”. Typography by Jim Dine. Lithography by P. Clement, Amsterdam; screen printing by Atelier Hass, Stuttgart. Bound with boards covered in handmade paper, with an original collaged lithograph on the cover. Contained in a similarly bound slipcase with matching sleeve containing three loose, colored images, each signed by Jim Dine:

Imogen I – 16 color screenprint, after a watercolor, on parchment type paper.

Imogen II – 6 color collaged lithograph from stone, on handmade paper.

Imogen III – 14 color screenprint, printed on card, after a watercolor.

Image sizes:  8.25” x 8.25”.  An edition of 200, with 20 proofs. In very good condition. Slight repair to slipcase.

Born in 1935 in Ohio, Jim Dine has an unusually varied body of work. He is highly prolific and internationally recognized for his imaginative and technical skills. Always provoca­tive, he attracts large audiences to his numerous gallery and museum exhibitions. Major retrospectives as early as 1970 [Whitney Museum], and as recently as 2004/2005 [National Gallery of Art.]  This catalogue surveys a pivotal decade in his development. Institutions owning this work include the Art Institute of Chicago; Guggenheim Museum and the Metropolitan Museum, New York;  the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.; Tate Gallery, London; Harvard University; the Baltimore Museum of Art, and the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam.

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(Joshua Heller Rare Books, Inc.) The Catalogue of the Miniature Book Collection of Lois Boorman – Catalogue 31. This unique collection of close to four hundred items of special interest to collectors of fine miniature books has been carefully documented in a sixty-two page extra-illustrated catalogue. Over two hundred books have been professionally photographed in full color. The contents include twenty-five examples from the Poole Press (1979-1995); a full run of all the published titles of the Ash Ranch Press; silver bindings; designer bindings by master binders Deborah Evetts and Angela James; some beautiful alphabet books and interesting and informative correspondence relating to collectors, printers and artists. It will be a source of reference for years to come. Published 2005.Download the catalogue in PDF format (7.3 MB, 64 pages, 396 items).Nearly two hundred books have been carefully and professionally photographed specially for this publication.

The collection consists of miniature books about:- people and their presses: #30 – #54- books about books, bookmaking and book people: #55 – $113- alphabet books: #114 – #130- a run of all the published titles of the Ash Ranch Press, together with correspondence between Don Hildreth and Kathryn Rickard: #131 – #161- some stunning special copies and items in unique designer bindings and more fine examples from the collection: #162 – #396.

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