Instant Lives
- $50
New York: Saturday Review Press/Dutton, 1974. Approximately 6 x 9 1/2". First Edition. Illustrated dust jacket and book illustrations by Edward Gorey, some extremely minor edge wear, slightly toned, not price-clipped, store sticker on inside front flap, in very good+ condition. Orange paper boards with tan cloth on spine, orange stamped lettering on spine, illustrated, very clean, in fine condition. (Toledano B58b)Howard Moss (1922 - 1987) was an American poet, critic, and dramatist. He is credited with discovering a number of major American poets while being the poetry editor of The New Yorker. This book contains many vignettes about famous people but told in an amusing way - sometimes as biographies or made up stories in the type of language that author might have used. Dust jacket and 25 illustrations by Edward Gorey (1925 - 2000), an American artist and writer, best known for his eccentric imagery and stories, often set in Victorian and Edwardian settings
More from The Book Lair
Visions of Barsoom: 100 Years of John Carter (TM)
[Pasadena, CA]: Robert B. Zeuschner, 2012. 12 1/2 x 18". First edition. Outer orange envelope, slightly creased and marked, title and illustration in black, signed by artist Thomas Yeates, in very good + condition. Inside the envelope are 25 lithographed images printed on slick paper, some of them quite rare, celebrating Edgar Rice Burroughs' famed swordsman who traveled from Earth to Mars, sizes of image vary, 3 plates are signed by artist Thomas Yeates, stiff cardboard keeps plates in place, one page folded pamphlet describes the production and plates in detail, signed by the compiler, all in fine condition.This portfolio was published for the Edgar Rice Burroughs convention in Woodland Hills, California. The compiler, Robert Zeuschner) has published a scholarly book on Burroughs and has been the assistant editor of the Burroughs Bulletin. Most of the original images are the property of Edgar Rice Burrous, Inc. The plates range from 1913 to 2011. The art on the envelope is by Thomas Yeates and appears on page 69 of the combined volume, "John Carter of Mars", Fall River Press, 2009. It depicts a scene found in chapter 10 of A Princess of Mars: "Springing upward, I struck him full in the face as he turned at my warning cry, and then as he drew his short-sword I drew mine and sprang up again upon his breast, hooking one leg over the butt of his pistol and grasping one of his huge tusks with my left hand while I delivered blow after blow upon his enormous chest." (from the pamphlet inside) Little Tree
Dallas, TX: Aredian Press, 2022. Approximately 2 x 3". LIMITED EDITION of 10 copies, this being #6. Design binding by Patrice Miller of Aredian Press, red and gold patterned paper over boards with paper label on removable band, red felt spine, book is not rectangular - rather top right edge is slanted in, Christmas tree inside opens up, poem inside enclosed in its own little section, signed and numbered by the publisher on the colophon, in fine condition. Lovely poem by e.e. cummings (1894 - 1962) about how cherished a Christmas tree is. Patrice Miller's work has found its way to private and university collections, in the states and abroad. Human foibles, nature�s panoply, and artistic cleverness cannot help but inform future work. She continues to bind, and rebind, in Dallas, Texas. Yes, Virginia
Santa Cruz, CA: The Good Book Press, 1984. 20 pp. 2 3/8 x 3"; LIMITED EDITION of 125 copies, this being #12. Ivory paper boards with red- and purple-embellishments, letterpress, stamped title and decoration on front cover, woodcut illustrations by Donna Thomas, numbered on the colophon, in fine condition. (Bradbury, P&D Thomas 12; P&D Thomas Bibliography A28)"Yes, Virginia" is about the famous letter sent to the editor of the New York Sun by a little girl of eight and his subsequent answer to the question of "Is there a Santa Claus". A lovely and inspiring story for the Christmas season. A beautiful example of their work with no other copies on the market at this time (1/23) Shakespeare on Paper Mills
Santa Cruz, CA: The Good Book Press, 1988. [64] pp. Approximately 1 9/16 x 1 15/16". LIMITED EDITION of 200 copies, of which the first 100 copies are printed on paper made during Shakespeare's lifetime (from a damaged copy of Digestrum Novum: 1576) and the second 100 copies use Peter Thomas' handmade paper. This is #99 from the first set made. Gilt morocco spine, paper over boards, illustrated by Donna Thomas, very minor wear, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Peter and Donna Thomas, 26; P&D Thomas Bibliography A50). A beautiful miniature by well-known book artists, authors, and paper-makers Peter and Donna Thomas, this book presents a fascinating study of paper-mills and paper-making, as seen and described in various Shakespeare works, particularly Henry VI, Part 2: Act 4, Scene 7 Love, 1 Corinthians: 13
Santa Cruz, CA: Peter Thomas, 1989. (14) pp. accordion fold. Approximately 15/16 x 13/16", oblong. LIMITED EDITION of 200 copies, this being #A/P. (32 printed on parchment and bound with wodden boards). Printed paper over boards, letterpress on handmade paper, in fine condition. (Bradbury, Peter & Donna Thomas, 29; P&D Thomas Bibliography A57)A lovely microminiature book that was created by Peter for his wife, Donna's birthday. The text is about what love should be and is a lovely accolade to Donna. The book was inspired by Ian MacDonald of the Gleniffer Press who had previously held the Guiness Boolk of World Records for the world's smallest book for many years All About the Little Small Red Hen
Dallas, TX: Aredian Press, 2021. Approximately 2 1/4 x 2 3/4", 58 pp. First edition, LIMITED EDITION of 10 copies, this being #3. Design binding by Patrice Miller of Aredian Press, presented within a tan and brown checked sack with hand embroidered "red hen" scrim patch. Red leather 1/4 binding with hand-embroidered spine, patterened cloth over boards with printed label on front cover, ribbon bookmark featuring a tiny scissors charm, signed and numbered by the publisher on the colophon, fine condition. Here is a beautiful rendition of a classic children's tale of an industrious hen outwitting a cunning fox. It includes eight watercolors and nine black and white illustrations by Johnny B. Gruelle. The publisher has hand-colored the half-title and main title page illustrations. Each copy of the edition is bound with a different combination of patterned fabric, spine leather and endpaper materials and treatment. Patrice Miller's work has found its way to private and university collections, in the states and abroad. Human foibles, natureà ¿½s panoply, and artistic cleverness cannot help but inform future work. She continues to bind, and rebind, in Dallas, Texas.- $250
- $250
Song of Creation
Santa Cruz, CA: Peter & Donna Thomas, 1999. (8) pp. Approximately 2 1/8 x 2 3/4". LIMITED EDITION of 500 copies, this being #14. Cream paper over boards with scene of Yosemite on front label, eight page nested accordion binding depicting a 180 degree panoramic view of Yosemite Valley, in fine condition. (P&D Thomas Bibliography A96)Peter and Donna Thomas call this "nested accordion pop-up fold book" which they later shortened to just a nested accordion binding. Based on a one-of-a-kind book from 1993 using water-color paintings made while backpacking in the California Sierra Nevada mountains. The background accordion is on green paper with plant-fiber inclusions- $100
- $100
O Moszkve (O Moscow) Microminiature Book (with Earring)
Moscow: Ianiko, 1997. Approximately 4.5 mm x 5.5 mm", oblong. White leather spine with metal covers, front cover has the letter "M" carved into it, all edges gilt, inventory number printed in ink on front paste-down endpaper, attached with a gold chain to a gold earring with an aquamarine gem, all in fine condition.Printed in both Russian and English, this beautiful piece of jewelry has a screw back post and could be used as either a single earring or a pin. The book contains poems extolling the beauty and wonder of Moscow by several famous Russian authors, including Pushkin and Blok- $500
- $500
Letters of Transit
Berkeley, CA: Never Mind the Press, 2019. First Edition. One bag with eight pamphlets and 7 eggs. LIMITED EDITION of 10 copies, this being #8. Seven handset, letterpress printed, pamphlet-stitched books with book cloth, photos, a collagraph, and seven acrylic-painted wooden eggs, nesting in a linen satchel, hand-embroidered with silk thread. The eighth brown pamphlet titled "About" contains some of the creative process and the signed and numbered colophon, all in fine condition. Only 1 library holding.A wonderfully creative artists' "book" that combines stitching, pamphlets and eggs. The painted eggs are the same size and color as a real egg of the species. The bird passport evokes a record of their life paths/migrations represented by original stamps on the passport, which also includes some information about the birds. The passports are also smaller or larger, depending on the size of the birds represented. The linen pouch design and shape, along with a collagraph design representing a nest, what the artists meant to be a nurturing and beautiful place of life and renewal. Birds represented include: Osprey, Black Oyster Catcher, Mallard, Green Heron, Whilte-tailed Kite, Anna's Hummingbird, American Coot.Alisa Golden has been making books since 1983 under the imprint of Never Mind the Press. She also teaches bookmaking and has written books on the subject. She explores various materials in her work, particularly paper, sticks, glass, felt, and fabric. She makes print, paper and uses what form, materials, and techniques to expand and deepen the narrative. Dianne Ayres, proprietor of Arts & Crafts Period Textiles, creates a large variety of textiles with hand embroidery. Letters of Transit is a beautiful collaboration between two talented women- $2,000
- $2,000
Toppan Micro Trio in a Leather Case including Birth Stone, Language of Flowers, and The Zodiacal Signs and Their Symbols
Tokyo: Toppan Printing Company, 1979. Three miniature books (parent) and three similar microminiature books (child). Titles are Birth Stone, Language of Flowers, and The Zodiacal Signs and Their Symbols. Miniature books measure 19 mm square and microminiatures measure approx. 2 mm square. Layered into an individually designed leather case designed by Osami Nakao, a well-known Japanese leather craftsman, with a leather-framed magnifying lens on top, 3 microminiatures nestled in a leather board, below are the 3 miniature books (with tiny book plate on verso of front cover), all in fine condition.An equisitely crafted, beautiful and rare set. The Toppan Printing Company in Japan has long been printers of the world's smallest books with many Guiness Book World Record holders- $1,500
- $1,500
Holy Bible. New Testament.
Tokyo: Japan Bible Society, 1982. Black leather cover with blind stamped title and decorations, 27 x 34 mm, 409 pp., printed by photo offset at Toppan Printing Co., miniature bookplate and bookstore labels present, Japanese text, slipped into in a gold metal case with with red and gold cross decoration and chain. All housed in a red velveteen box with magnifying glass and brochure. Limited to 1,000 copies. The complete package, including original manufacturer's packaing box, all beautifully executed and in fine condition.The Toppan Printing Company in Japan has long been printers of the world's smallest books with many Guiness Book World Record holders.- $400
- $400
The Stone Arbor
Boston/Toronto: Little, Brown & Co., 1960. Approximately 5 1/2 x 8". First edition appearance of all thirteen short stories, dust jacked illustrated by Edward Gorey, some edge wear rubbing and small nicks, darkening of spine and small insect holes, unclipped jacket with $4.00 price intact, bookstore sticker on rear cover, in very good condition. Book has paper over boards, cloth spine which is fading on ends, some edge wear, small amount of spotting to top edges, otherwise in very good condition. (Toledano D-Angell)Roger Angell (1920 - 2022) was an American essayist and fiction writer. He was The New Yorker's first fiction editor. This is his first book which is a collection of short fiction pieces and personal narratives. Dust jacket is illustrated by Edward Gorey (1925 - 2000), an American artist and writer, best known for his eccentric imagery and stories, often set in Victorian and Edwardian settings- $100
- $100
Complete Miniature Set of the Sherlock Holmes Stories
Van Nuys, CA: Barbara J. Raheb, 1979 - 1981. Complete 45 volume set, each volume 15/16 x 5/8". Black pyroxylin covers with gilt titles and decorations, mini bookplate on verso of front free endpaper in each volume, all housed in a miniature bookcase with two pewter bookends, in near fine condition. (Bradbury, Raheb 141 - 182) Barbara Raheb published more than 500 miniature books in her lifetime, more than any other U.S. publisher during the 20th century. This set includes the elusive four volumes of Hound of the Baskervilles. Limited edition of 300 per volume, it is very difficult to find a complete set. Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 - 1930) was a British writer and physician. Although the Sherlock Holmes stories are his most well-known works and are milestone in the field of crime fiction, he was a prolific writer who also created science fiction/fantasy, humor, romances, poety, non-fiction, and historical stories- $4,500
- $4,500
The Marshes of Glynn
Dallas, TX: Aredian Press, 2018. Approximately 2 3/4 x 3". First edition, LIMITED EDITION of 10 copies with two out of series, with this being #10. Design binding by Patrice Miller of Aredian Press; paper over boards painted with ink and watercolor by the publisher and each is unique in the series, interior papers are layered unryu which are digitally printed in 8 pt Poor Richard on pale blue ribbed vellum paper in brown/green/blue inks, constructed in three sections: the poem, in a perfect-bound matchbook style, the bio/stamp in a trifold within its own covers, and the central accordion tunnel comprised of vintage postcard images of the Glynn marshes, a band of natural straw slips off to open the volume, signed and numbered by the author on the colophon, fine condition. Miniature Book Society, Distinguished Book Award, 2018. The Marshes of Glynn in moveable book format is a long poem about the Golden Isles off the coast of Georgia. The book contains the poem itself, a short biography of the author, Sidney Lanier, and a US postage stamp issued to honor him- $650
- $650
The Eclectic Abecedarium
Dallas, TX: Aredian Press, 2022. Approximately 4 x 12". LIMITED EDITION of 5 copies, this being #2. Design binding by Patrice Miller of Aredian Press. The structure is decorative paper over heavy book boards with paper label on cover, stiff paper Tyvek accordion spine backed by Indian cotton screen printed paper, flag book design with blue, red, and green cover weight papers to back the letter illustrations, colophon, and limitation which is, signed and numbered by the publisher, in fine condition. Beautifully structured and original book.First published in 1983 with only 100 copies, this is a beautiful (but typically macabre for Gorey) book with illustrations and text referring to each letter of the alphabet. An example: The way to Hell is down a Well. Patrice Miller's work has found its way to private and university collections, in the states and abroad. Human foibles, nature's panoply, and artistic cleverness cannot help but inform future work. She continues to bind, and rebind, in Dallas, Texas.- $575
- $575
All About the Little Small Red Hen
Dallas, TX: Aredian Press, 2021. Approximately 2 1/4 x 2 3/4", 58 pp. First edition, LIMITED EDITION of 10 copies, this being #9. Design binding by Patrice Miller of Aredian Press, presented within a tan and brown checked sack with hand embroidered "red hen" scrim patch. Red leather 1/4 binding with hand-embroidered spine, patterened cloth over boards with printed label on front cover, ribbon bookmark featuring a tiny scissors charm, signed and numbered by the publisher on the colophon, fine condition. Here is a beautiful rendition of a classic children's tale of an industrious hen outwitting a cunning fox. It includes eight watercolors and nine black and white illustrations by Johnny B. Gruelle. The publisher has hand-colored the half-title and main title page illustrations. Each copy of the edition is bound with a different combination of patterned fabric, spine leather and endpaper materials and treatment. Patrice Miller's work has found its way to private and university collections, in the states and abroad. Human foibles, natureà ¿½s panoply, and artistic cleverness cannot help but inform future work. She continues to bind, and rebind, in Dallas, Texas.- $250
- $250
Olimpiyskaya klyatva (Olympic Oath)
Russia: Nord - Dubna, 1993. [24] pp. Approximately 5/8 x 3/4". Limited edition of 200 copies. Black lacquer covers with an image of the olypmic torch on the front cover and the olympic rings on the rear cover, colored illustrations, printed endpapers, small bookplate on verso of front free endpaper, all edges gilt, in fine condition.A lovely microminiature book with a beautiful Russian lacquer cover, printed in multiple languages. The Olympic Oath is a solemn promise to respect and abide by the rules, be a good sport, and honor their team. The insiration for the oath came from the original ancient olympic games where athletic competitors swore on a statue of Zeus- $200
- $200
Figbash Acrobate
Dallas, TX: Aredian Press, 2022. Approximately 2 x 2 1/2 x 3 1/4". LIMITED EDITION of 5 copies, this being #3. Jacob's Ladder design binding by Patrice Miller of Aredian Press. Decorated heavy boards, Edward Gorey House print, tissue, poly strapping, and ribbon, numbered and signed on the colophon, in fine condition. The black bookcloth covered enclosure is candy-box styled with a lift-off lide and a hot pink laval lining, in fine condition.Another beautifully designed and original book by Patrice Miller, constructed from an Edward Gorey House print binding design, text and illustrations and commissioned by The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust. Patrice Miller's work has found its way to private and university collections, in the states and abroad. Human foibles, nature�s panoply, and artistic cleverness cannot help but inform future work. She continues to bind, and rebind, in Dallas, Texas.- $700
- $700
The Gashlycrumb Tinies Limited Edition Portfolio
Yarmouth Port, MA: Edward Gorey House, 2013. Black four-flap case with label on front cover houses all items, in fine condition. 30 loose sheets with black frame, Edward Gorey's embossed signature on title and colophon cards, in fine condition.In 2013, the golden anniversary of the publication of The Gashlybrumb Tinies arrived. This is Edward Gorey's most iconic (appalling) alphabet book and most likely his best known work. It has never been out of print. Gorey House issued, as separate plates, the 26 Tinies and the original cover image, each suitable for framing. Images are printed in their original size of 5 x 6" on 8 x 10" art paper. Enclosed with the plates is an attractive portfolio and an a celebratory title card and colophon card giving the details of this particular edition. Issued in a limited edition of 100 numbered sets and 26 lettered sets, this being "F/26". A bonus in the lettered sets is the plate of the rejected "F is for Fanny" because Edward chose to rework it for the final book, produced here separately for the first time. Lettered sets sold out quickly and are thus scarce to find on the market- $950
- $950
Bible Gallery
New York: Cassell & Company, [1883]. 10 x 13 1/2". Second printing of this titled edition. Brown pebble-grain cloth with gilt and black design on the cover, gilt title on spine, tissue guard for frontispiece is intact, minor edge wear rubbing, top edge of spine is sightly more worn, all edges gilt, binding is tight and illustrations are complete and beautiful, no inscriptions or owner marks, in very good + condition.Gustave Dore (1832 - 1883) was a french artist, sculptor, illustrator and more who worked primarily with wood engraving. Dore was a very prolific artist and his illustrations are well-known. He had many titles published using his bible illustrations, including The Child's Bible, The Bible Gallery, Bible Stories and Scenes for Young People, etc. For this book, this is the first edition/second printing, derived using the reference book by Malan. This edition is a collection of 100 engravings illustrative of the bible but made for the American market in a smaller and less costly version as well as having a briefer analysis of each design. (Malan p. 243)- $375
- $375
The Day of the Jackal
New York: Viking Press, 1971. 6 x 8 3/4". First US edition, first printing. Dust jacket with some creasing and rubbing, small enclosed tear on bottom of front cover, price clipped, very good condition. Red paper boards with grey cloth on spine, red blind-stamped design on cover, red letting on spine, top edge stained red, in near fine condition.Frederick Forsyth (1938 - ) is an English novelist and journalist. He is well know for writing thrillers and this is probably his best known novel. It won the Best Novel Edgar Award in 1972 and is historical fiction- $225
- $225
Three Hearts and Three Lions
New York: Doubleday Science Fiction, 1961. Approximately 5 1/2 x 8 1/2". First Edition. Illustrated dust jacket by Edward Gorey, some creases, small nicks mostly to spine ends, minor rubbing, original price of $3.95 intact, in very good + condition. Red cloth over boards with gold stamped design on cover and gold/black stamped lettering and designs on spine, top edges red, really minor edge wear, slight corner bumping,small pen marks on rear cover, otherwise, in very good + condition. (Toledano D-Anderson)Poul Anderson (1926 - 2001) was an American science fiction and fantasy writer. He was awarded three Nebula Awards and seven Hugo awards. This book is listed in Modern Fantasy: The Hundred Best Novels by Pringle as number #25. Dust jacket is illustrated by Edward Gorey (1925 - 2000), an American artist and writer, best known for his eccentric imagery and stories, often set in Victorian and Edwardian settings- $200
- $200