RareBooksFundPurchases

Selected Recent Purchases from the Rare Book General Fund:

November 2009

Charles III of Spain
Real Cedula de S.M. y señores del Consejo, por la qual se declara en favor de todas las mugeres del Reino la facultad de trabajar en la manufactura de hilos, como en todas las demas artes en que quieran ocuparse y sean compatibles con el decoro y fuerzas de su sexo, con lo demas que se expresa.
Vich : Por Juan Doreca, y Morera Impresór, y Librero en la Plasa Mayor, 1784.
Call Number: J 409.N3 1784 Sep 2   Shelved in Object Files, Rare Book & Texana Collections.

Rare printing of a decree by Charles III of Spain granting women the right to work and manage textile factories and as artisans - but only as long as the activity is appropriate to their gender.   An early step in securing rights for women.    Title page with ornate wood-cut of the Spanish royal arms.

October 2009

Cummings, Eileen B.
Bats: Myths and Misconceptions = Los Murcielagos: Mitos y Malentenditos
San Diego, Calif: E.C. Press, 1989
Deluxe edition, #8 of 52.
Call Number: Z 232 .E27747 B387 1989  Shelved in Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room.

This charming work on bats combines many important features.  The Spanish and English texts are bound dos-a-dos in black leather.  Many postage stamps from throughout the world are used as illustrations in addition to the printed illustrations within the text.  The work was written, translated, printed, and bound by Eileen Cummings, a significant collector and publisher of miniature books as well as past president of the Miniature Book Society.  She was assisted by Don Hildreth, also a major figure in miniature books, and the work is signed by both.    Additionally, the volume is from the collection of Robert E. Massmann, noted collector, publisher, co-founder of the Miniature Book Society, and former librarian.  It has his bookplate inside the front cover of the English side.

Sanders, Daniel
Moment-Lexikon und Fremdworterbuch
Berlin: Hugo Steinitz Verlag, between 1897 and 1907
Call Number: Z 232 .S7456 M66 1897   Shelved in Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room.

Rare miniature German language dictionary housed in its original enameled tin box.  On the lid/front of the box is mounted a circular magnifying glass.  This same format, in an even smaller size, was used by David Bryce & Son of Glasgow for many of their miniature publications.  This volume is also from the collection of Robert E. Massmann, with his bookplate inside the front cover of the book.

Arkin, Stephen
Venetian Masks
Mill Valley, Calif.: Figment Press, 1989
Copy #11 of an edition of 75 copies.
Call Number: Z 232 .F42 V465 1989   Shelved in Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room.

Winner of the Distinguished Book Award in the 1990 Miniature Book Society Competition, this volume on the use of masks in Venice features a double front cover, one having a window through which can be seen a porcelain mask mounted on the second cover.  It was created by Diane Weiss at her Figment Press.

Adams, Maryline Poole
Mistletoe: Legends, Myth & Folklore
Berkeley, Calif.: Poole Press, 1984
Copy "N" of 26 lettered deluxe copies, of 100 total copies.
Call Number: Z 232 .P81 M578 1984   Shelved in Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room.

An important example of the early work of California publisher/artist Maryline Poole Adams, this deluxe edition features linoleum block prints as well as a copy of the Oklahoma State Flower/Bird stamp featuring mistletoe.  This copy is bound in red and green leather, and is housed in a matching slipcase.

September 2009

National Woman Suffrage and Educational Committee
An Appeal to the Women of the United States
Hartford: Case, Lockwood & Brainard, 1871
Call Number: JK 1896 .N385 A67 1871      Shelved in Object Files, Rare Book & Texana Collections.

An important early work on suffrage in the United States, the National Womans Suffrage and Education Committee included members such as Susan B. Anthony, Ruth C. Denison, and Isabella B. Hooker.   This particular piece puts forth the point that women should already have the vote based on the 14th and 15th amendments to the United States Constitution.

Chapone, Mrs.
Letters on the improvement of the mind: addressed to a young lady
Philadelphia: Printed by Joseph Crukshank, 1786
Call Number: BJ1681 .C537 L48 1786     Shelved in Weaver Collection of Juvenile Materials, Rare Book & Texana Collections.

First published in London in 1773, this first Philadelphia edition of Mrs. Chapone's guide to manners and behavior for young ladies takes the form of a series of letters written to a niece about such topics as religion, propriety, friendship, education, and household economy.  The book was very popular, and was praised by author Mary Wollstonecraft.

Aldis, Dorothy
The Magic City: John & Jane at the World's Fair
New York: Minton, Balch & Co., 1933
Call Number: T501 .B1 A43 1933 Housed in the Weaver Juvenile Collection.

Illustrated by Margaret Freeman, this work offers a child's perspective and reactions to the great 1933 Century of Progress International Exposition held in Chicago, Illinois.   The World's Fairs had traditionally showcased the best each exhibiting country could show, from art to manufacturing to technology, and were ways for the hosting nations to impress visitors. 

Gardner, E.C.
The House that Jill built, after Jack's had proved a failure: a book on home architecture
New York: Fords, Howard, & Hulbert, 1882
Call Number: NA7120 .G37 H68 1882 Housed in the General Rare Books Collection.

A late Victorian-era book on architecture with a twist - it incorporates practical concerns as brought up by women who have had to actually live in houses designed by men. 

January 2009

Buchanan, George
Geor: Bvchanani Sc oti, Poemata quae extant
Lugduni Batav.: Ex Officina Elzev8iriana, 1628
Call Number: PR2439 .B7 P743 1628    Housed in Small Books Cabinet.

The second of two editions of the works of George Buchanan published by the Elzevir press.  Buchanan, a Scottish-born historian and poet, served as tutor to James VI.  This work includes not only his paraphrases of the Psalms and writings on the Franciscans, but also his translations of Medea and Alcestis.   The modern binding is in a historical style by the Starr Bookworks.

The Snake Charmer
New York: McLoughlin Brothers, 1886?
Call Number: N8217 .C3 S63 1886   Shelved with Large Pop-Ups, Weaver Collection.

A volume from the McLoughlin's Little Showman's Series, this chromolithographed "theatre" consists of a single pop-up scene that is viewed when the cover is lifted.  This is a rare survival of a children's toy book of the era, and a prime example of the skills of the early paper-engineers.

Friendship's Jewel
Boston: J. Buffum, 1851
Call Number: Z232 .B9432 F75 1851   Shelved in Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room.

This miniature gift book, containing poems on Friendship, is one of two editions published in Boston in 1851.  The gilt-stamped embossed cloth cover is typical of the bindings of the era, and the whole is an important example of such items.

November 2008

Anon.

Le conseiller des graces dedie aux dames: Annee 1817

Paris: Chez Marcilly, [1816].

Call Number: AY 834 .C667 1817

Shelved in Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room.

Miniature almanac of graces "dedicated to the ladies".  The almanac includes full-page woodcut illustrations, "songs" about women and their virtues, and a calender for the year listing saints' days and festivals.  A number of this type of miniature almanac were produced in Paris as luxury gifts.

Anon.

[France? : s.n., between 1880 and 1910?]

Call Number: NX 650 .E7 M565 1880z

Shelved in Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room.

Example of a miniature locket or watch-fob of hinged metal leaves containing original albumin prints of erotic images.  Miniatures have frequently been used as a format for erotic and "obscene" literature - including birth control pamphlets.

This example is likely to be French, and possibly intended for the English market.

October 2008

Anacreon

Hai tou Anakreontos odai kai ta tes Sapphous kai ta tou Alkaiou Leipsana
Glasguae: Excudebant R & A Foulis, 1751.

Call Number: Z 232 .F72 A53 1751
Shelved in Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room. 

The Foulis Press edition of the works of Anacreon, with fragments from Sappho and Alcaeus.  The Greek type is noted for its clarity, even in the reduced size.  The volume is bound in full dark-plum straight-grained morocco with gilt scroll and rule borders and gilt spine decorations.   The Foulis Press began operation about 1743, and became one of the most significant printers in Glasgow.  In 1743, they printed the first book in Greek in Glasgow.  This volume, only 8 years later, show their mastery of not only printing, but of the use of exotic types.

Bradbury, Robert C.

Dew-drops: American Tract Society
Worcester [Mass.]: Robert C. Bradbury, 2008.

Call Number: Z 232 .B815 D49 2008
Shelved in Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room.

Long-time dealer and bibliographer Robert Bradbury has published the first real study of the American Tract Society's publication Dew-drops, which was published in many editions over a period of almost 60 years.  This study of the various title pages, bindings, etc., helps to identify variations of this important work.  Edition of 100 copies.

Centennial book, to take home
New York: Orange Judd Co., 1876.

Call Number: T 825 .L1 C348 1876
Shelved in Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room.

The 1876 Centennial Exhibition marked America's emergence as a world power.  The Exhibition showcased the best the United States had to offer, and attracted visitors from around the world.  This miniature souvenir has views of the main buildings and information on exhibits and advertisements.

Bible. N.T. Matthew V-VII.  English.  1973. Authorized.

The Sermon on the Mount. From the Gospel of Saint Matthew, chapters 5,6,7.
Worcester, Mass.: Achille St. Onge, 1973.

Call Number: Z 232 .S757 S47 1973 c.2
Shelved in Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room.

This deluxe binding of the St. Onge Sermon on the Mount was created by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, one of the leading English bookbinding firms of the 19th and 20th centuries.  The original edition consists of 1500 copies, and this is one of 35 which were specially bound.  This volume joins the extraordinary collection of St. Onge publications housed in our Miniature Books Collection, most of which were the generous gift of Msgr. Francis J. Weber of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

On the powers of government assigned to it by the Constitution.  From his address in the United States Senate May 7, 1834.
Worcester, Mass.: Achille J. St. Onge, 1952.

Call Number: Z 232 .S757 O58 1952
Shelved in Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room.

This volume was published in 1952 for the New Hampshire Historical Society.  About 1970, a group of the original sheets were bound in almost matching covers.  This set is of the original unbound sheets, and the unattached later case binding.

Doglioni, Giovanni Nicolo, 1548-1629

Le cose notabili, et maravigliose della citta di Venetia.
Venetia: Per gli geredi di Gio. Battista Cestari, 1671.

Call Number: DG 672 .D645 C67 1671
Shelved in Small Books Cabinet, Rare Book & Texana Collections.

2nd edition by the Heirs of Cestari of this important work on Venice.  The volume includes not only information on the wonders of Venice, but also on its prominent citizens.  Based on the work of Francesco Sansovino, this copy is bound in contemporary vellum with hand-inked spine titles.

Camden, William, 1551-1623

Annales rerum Anglicarum et Hibernicarum regnante Elizabetha.
Lug. Batavorum: Ex. officina Elzeviriana, 1625.

Call Number: DA 350 .C35 1625
Shelved in Rare Book General Collection, Rare Book & Texana Collections.

1st Elzevir edition of this important Latin history of England and Ireland during the reign of Elizabeth I.  The volume includes a portrait of Elizabeth I by Crispyn van de Queboren, and is in a modern binding in period style signed by the Grace Bindings.

Phillips, R. (Richard), Sir, 1767-1840

A view of the Earth, containing an account of its internal structure; its caves and subterranean passages; its mountains, its rivers and cataracts.  Together with a brief view of the universe, to which are added, problems on the globes, directions for drawing maps and tables of latitudes and longitudes.
Philadelphia: Johnson and Warner, 1810.

Call Number: GB 55 .P45 V54 1810
Shelved in Weaver Collection, Rare Book & Texana Collections.

The first American edition of this treatise on geography and elementary astronomy.  It includes a folding plate showing relative size of the population of the world's continents/major countries and relative heights of mountains.    Bound in  original printed publisher's wrappers.

Smith, Amanda, 1837-1915

An autobiography; the story of the Lord's dealings with Mrs. Amanda Smith, the colored evangelist; containing an account of her life work of faith, and her travels in America, England, Ireland, Scotland, India, and Africa, as an independent missionary.

Call Number: E 185.97 .S6 1893
Shelved in Rare Book General Collection, Rare Book & Texana Collections.

First edition of this autobiography of Mrs. Smith.  Born a slave, she was freed and traveled throughout the world as a missionary, despite opposition from the A.M.E. church which thought it inappropriate for a woman to do this kind of work.  In original publisher's cloth binding.

Frisbie, L.

Tested recipes on washable tablets: Ten entrees.
[United States: no publisher], 1897.

Call Number: TX 715 .F87 E58 1897
Shelved in Small Books Cabinet, Rare Book & Texana Collections.

Cookbook with an unusual binding which permits the book to be hung by the metal fitting on the back, and the pages "swiveled" to show the one needed.  Includes not only the 10 entree recipes, but also several hand-written period recipes on the back of the tablets.

Catullus, Gaius Valerius

Catullus, Tibullus, et Propertius.
Londini: Impensis G. Pickering, 1824.

Call Number: Z 232 .P59 C38 1824
Shelved in Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room.

One of William Pickering's "Diamond Classics", this volume includes the works of Catullus, Sextus Propertius, and Tibullus.  Printed in Latin by Charles Corrall, the font is his famous 4 1/2 point "Diamond Type", which was designed for extreme clarity despite the tiny size.

Hoshino, Asao

English translation of Miniature Book Correspondence.
Fullerton, Calif.: Lorson's Books & Prints, 1985.

Call Number: Z1033 .M6 H674 1985

Translation of a series of letters by various Japanese collectors, publishers, scholars, and others relating to miniature books in Japan and to noted publisher Asao Hoshino. 

Church of England
Proper lessons to be read at morning and evening prayer on the Sundays and other holy-days throughout the year.
London: George E. Eyre and A. Spottiswoode, 1845.

Call Number: Z 232 .E9974 P76 1845
Housed in the Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room.

Bound with: The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. London: George E. Eyre and Andrew Spottiswoode, 1841.

The two works are bound in one volume, with full leather binding, gilt decorations and titles.  The volume has a hidden fore-edge painting of a view of Durham Cathedral.

From the collection of Eileen Cummings, publisher, collector, printer, and past president of the Miniature Book Society.  With her bookplate.

Solomon (Bible. O.T. Song of Solomon IV. English. Authorized, 1991)
Solomon's Song of Songs.
Dallas, Tex.: Jan Sobota, 1991.

Call Number: Z 232 .S7511 S656 1991
Housed in Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room.

Libraries' copy is #10 of 30 copies. 

This volume is one of an edition of 30 copies made "in flatened form" of a sculptural binding done by Jan Sobota.  Hand calligraphy of the text done by Michael Sull is housed within covers representing a pear (front cover) and the lower back torso of a woman (back cover).

Horace
Quintus Horatius Flaccus
London: William Pickering, 1820.

Call number: Z 232 .P59 Q56 1820 c.2
Housed in Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room.

This small volume is a landmark item in the history of publishing and bookbinding.  It is the 2nd title published by William Pickering, the first in his Diamond Classics, and considered the first title published in a publisher's edition binding of cloth.

April 2008

Tasso, Torquato La Gerusalemme liberata Londra: Presso C. Corrall; a spese di G. Pickering, 1822 Call Number: Z 232 .P59 T37 1882 v.1 & 2 Housed in Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room. Tasso's work is presented here in Italian, in the ca. 4.5 point "Diamond Type", printed by Charles Corrall for William Pickering as part of his Diamond Classics. The volume is in the original publisher's red textured cloth, with applied printed spine labels.  There is an added engraved frontispiece, and publisher's advertisements at the end of v. 2.  Affixed to the inside of the back cover of v. 1 is newspaper clipping about the finding of a pawn ticket signed by Tasso.

March 2008

February 2008

	Helvetiorum respublica. Diversorum autorum quorum nonnulli nunc primum in lucem prodeunt. Lugd. Bat. : Ex officina Elzeviriana., 1627. Call number: DQ22 .H458 1627 Shelved in the Small Books Cabinet, Rare Book & Texana Collections. 1st edition of the 3 published the same year, without the tail-pieces of the 2nd ed. Mainly a reprint of Josias Simmler's De republica Helvetiorum (p. 26-484); to which is added a short work by Daniel L'Ermite and three small anonymous works. Bound in 18th century full mottled calf leather with gilt rules and floral ornament on front and back boards. Remains of ties/clasps. Hand-inked spine title, and hand-inked title on top-edge of text-block.
	Homer Homerri Ilias et Odyssea London: Gulielmus Pickering, 1831 Call number: Z232.P59 H664 1831 v.1 & 2 Shelved in the Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room. One of Pickering's "Diamond Classics" series, these volumes are printed in Greek, retain their original publisher's cloth bindings, and are "unopened" - the pages are uncut and in their original state from the printer.
	Sherman, E. Helene ABC's of Boston Charlestown, Mass.: Emporium Publications, [between 1965 and 1972] Call number: Z232.S5354 A23 1965z Shelved in the Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room. Copy #20, signed by Sherman. From the collection of Robert E. Massmann, with his bookplate inside front cover, and an extensive presentation inscription by Sherman to Massmann on verso of title page. This volume inspired a similar work published by Massmann's REM Miniatures press, "A Boston Cordial" (1981) using many of the same illustrations by Sherman.
	3 miniatures published by Texas printer Yolanda Carter at her Amistad Press: Carter, Yolanda.  First aid for the soul Austin, Tex.: Amistad Press, 1977. Call Number: Z232.A54 F577 1977 Shelved in the Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room. Carter, Yolanda.  Nonsense. Austin, Tex.: Amistad Press, [1978], c1977. Call Number: Z232.A54 N66 1977 Shelved in the Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room.   Carroll, Lewis, illustrated and summarized by Carter, Yolanda.  Through the looking glass Austin, Tex.: Amistad Press, 1979 Call number: Z232.A54 T476 1979b Shelved in the Miniature Books Collection, Rare Book Room.   2 different sized editions were published the same year, this being the smallest.  300 copies total were printed.

January 2008

	The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments. London: G.E. Eyre and W. Spottiswoode, 1949. Call number: BS 185 1849 .L66 Bound in black papier-mâché panels. These fragile and ornate bindings were created in the mid-1800's, and were frequently used on texts related to the late medieval era or on religious texts.
	Ritson, Joseph. Pieces of ancient popular poetry: from authentic manuscripts and old printed copies. London: William Pickering, 1833. Call number: PR1181 .P54 1833 Published by William Pickering, this is the 2nd edition of these tales, and retains the woodcuts done by John and Thomas Bewick.