Artists' Books and Rare Books for Sale » Miniature Books

Laura Wait – Momentum Arbusti

sara — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:20:44 +0000

(Laura Wait) Momentum Arbusti: a celebration of trees. Unique Variant artist’s book by Laura Wait. [Steamboat Springs, Colorado.] 2008. n.p. 14.875″ x 5.874″ x 1″. Woodcut, collograph, handwriting and painting. Sewn on linen cords with green linen thread. Additional sections of thick card were sewn on for boards, and cords laced in. These boards were covered with patinated embossed copper in shades of green and yellow with the copper undertone. Jill Bergman assisted with the binding. Black dropback box with paper title label; gray suede lining. No. 2 in a series of 6 unique variants signed and dated by Laura Wait. Fine.

This series celebrates three kinds of trees: Life, Magic & Immortality. A short history of the meaning and importance of trees in world culture is handwritten in many colors over the images of many pages.

The book was begun in 2004 with the creation of extra pages of “In the Garden.” Additional imagery was added in 2006-2008 using paste painting, stencils and many layers of handwriting as text and image. The complete libretto, or text, is on a separate sheet laid in at the end of the book.

Miniature Books for Sale, Fall 2008

sara — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:39:28 +0000

All miniature books – 15% off

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!

A note from Joshua and Phyllis Heller, reprinted from the original Miniatures Catalogue:

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.

Wise Words About Letter Writing, by Lewis Carroll

sara — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:56:50 +0000

(Xavier Press) Wise Words About Letter Writing. By Lewis Carroll. Baltimore. [MD] 1993. 2.625” x 2”. Frontispiece of Carroll. 2 U.S.A. color stamps promoting letterwriting; fold-out facsimile of letter from Dodgson. Handset in Bulmer type and printed on a handpress by F.X. Harrigan. Bound by Don Brady in green cloth with gilt title on spine and front. Endpapers of facsimile of Carroll’s handwriting. No. 157 of 160 copies.

Borglum in Texas, signed, a miniature artist’s book

sara — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:55:39 +0000

(Windcrest Press) Borglum in Texas. By Valentine J. Poska. [San Antonio. Texas.] 1991. 2.75” x 1.875”. Set by hand. Front endpaper with illustration of Mount Rushmore. Tipped in photograph and 3c and 29c stamps of Mount Rushmore. Red cloth binding with ‘B’ in gilt on front. No. 25 of 75 copies, signed by Val Poska.

This book commemorates the 50th anniversary of the dedication of Mount Rushmore.

Provenance: From the collection of Kathryn Ida Hill Rickard. With her Bookplate.

Doris V. Welsh’s Mecklenberg Declaration of Independence, a miniature artist’s book

sara — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:54:03 +0000

(Doris V. Welsh) The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence May 20, 1775. Chicago. 1954. 2.125” x 1.8”. Handset and printed by Doris V. Welsh in the S.T.A. workshop in the Newberry Library. Bound in red cloth spine and tips, paper title label on spine; patterned gold foil board sides. Edition of 100 copies. The third book printed by Doris Varner Welsh.

A Fantasy Title Page for a Phantasy Literary Tome, signed

sara — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:52:41 +0000

([tag]Juniper Von Phitzer Press[tag]) A Fantasy Title Page for a Phantasy Literary Tome. San Francisco, California. 1991. 2.25” x 3”. Designed, handset, letterpress printed, and hand-tinted by Juniper Von Phitzer. Bound by La Reliure d’Art du Centre in pink textured leather with gilt title and simple design on front. All edges gilt. No. 16 in an edition of 110 copies signed by Juniper Von Phitzer.

Provenance: From the collection of Kathryn Ida Hill Rickard. With her Bookplate.

An Alphabet for Flora, signed

sara — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:49:01 +0000

(Juniper Von Phitzer Press) An Alphabet for Flora. San Francisco, California. 1990. 2.5” x 2.875”. Designed, handset, letterpress printed, and hand-colored by Juniper Von Phitzer. Bound in full silver leather with gilt title on spine and gilt flower on front. Silver endpapers. All edges gilt. No. 26 of 125 copies signed by Juniper Von Phitzer.

Saroyan: Love of Paper, a miniature artist’s book

sara — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:47:02 +0000

(Peter & Donna Thomas) Saroyan: Love of Paper. Santa Cruz. [CA] 1991. 3” x 2.25”. Printed and bound by Peter & Donna Thomas using paper they made from rag, Russian hemp rope, abaca, cotton, and other stray fibers. Paper in shades of dusky rose and white. Frontispiece is U.S. 29c stamp of William Saroyan. Bound with textured dusky pink paper over boards, simple relief design and title on front. No. 142 in an edition of 150 copies.

A Cropper, miniature artist’s book from Tern Press

sara — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:45:05 +0000

(Tern Press) A Cropper. [Poems] by Bernard Tomlinson. [Market Drayton. 1989.] 4” x 3”. Set in Bembo and printed by Nicholas and Mary Parry on T.H. Saunders paper. Illustrated by Nicholas Parry in color. Bound in light brown cloth over board. No. 97 in an edition of 100 copies, signed by Nicholas Parry.

The Russian Icon, signed, a miniature artist’s book

sara — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:42:32 +0000

(Tamazunchale Press) The Russian Icon. By Ann Bahar. Newton, Iowa. 1987. 2.375” x 1.625”. Frontispiece photograph of theIcon. Printed in Trinité type by Joh. Enschedé en Zonen, Holland. Bound by Reliure d’art du Centre S.A., France, in deep red leather with gilt title on front and spine. Faith Harrison marbled endpapers. All edges gilt. No. 5 in an edition of 250 copies, signed by Charlotte Smith in red ink.

Provenance: From the collection of Kathryn Ida Hill Rickard. With her Bookplate.