No. 108 - July 2018 MINIATURE BOOK SOCIETY NEWSLETTER HelloPRESIDENT’S to everyone, I have the opportunity MESSAGE to speak with some members more than others but I welcome comments, contributions, and suggestions from everyone. We have had a lot of good feedback about our new web page and its content. Several new members have mentioned that the Jim Brogan website was the key that ‘opened the door’ for them. Please visit the website and think about what contributions you can make both in pictures as well as feature content. The site was designed to be updated frequently so that we can highlight what we do in the world of miniature books. The fruits of the planning for the Charlottesville Conclave are certainly be- ginning to blossom as we are able to count down the days until we all arrive in Charlottesville, on August 10th. My thanks to Rick Hill for his diligent planning work. I am looking forward to the opportunity to chat with everyone in person again. The Conclave is a wonderful experience for sharing and learning and the development of friendships. If you have attended a Conclave you are an MBS ambassador. If you have not had the opportunity to attend and would like to 2016: The Lilliput Oval Saloon Collection, know more about the Conclave, start with the website: WWW.MBS.ORG, or give me a call. Parts I & II We are continuing to expand our outreach needs and activities as opportuni- ties to grow the organization. Our most important duty as a member of the MBS 2017: The Library of a Gentleman Collector is to grow our organization through the expansion of our membership roster, especially with young bibliophiles. The MBS is an organization that is rich in 2018: Your Collection Here member experience. Now is the time to look at where we are and think about where you can help make it happen. In closing, I am always glad to hear from members about their thoughts, sug- gestions, and advice or any problem that you may want to communicate. ‘Office is always open.’ Please feel free to email me at [email protected] or For more information on consigning, by telephone, 908.803.5647. Thank you again for the opportunity to serve you please contact our miniature book specialist: as President. Gregory Jung 415-989-2665 or [email protected] Notes from Rick

SPECIALISTS IN EXCEPTIONAL BOOKS & PRIVATE LIBRARIES AT AUCTION BOOKS - MANUSCRIPTS - MAPS - PHOTOGRAPHS - WORKS ON PAPER Come to the Conclave and find out. Rick Hill 1233 Sutter Street : San Francisco, CA 94109 415.989.2665 [email protected] www.pbagalleries.com Auctioneers & Appraisers

Miniature Book Society 3 Friday, August 10 1:00 - 5:00 Registration~Take the Free Trolley to the Chapel Exit. Walk across the street to the Albert and Shirley Small Collections Library.

1:00 - 3:00 Caroline McGehee Miniature Book and Fine Artist’s Book Exhibition Small Collections Library 2:15 - 3:00 Pat Caenarven-Smith Session Small Library / auditorium 3:00 - 5:00 Rare Book School Reception Alderman Library Charlottesville Conclave Friday continued on page 5... Program and Sessions Thursday, August 9 Omni 7:00 pm Pre-Conclave Dinner The Downtown Grille Hotel 201 West Main Street Friday, August 10 10:00 - 12:00 Board Meeting Omni Hotel James Monroe Room Trolley Stop

4 Miniature Book Society Friday, August 10 Sunday, August 12 5:00 - 6:00 Return to Omni Hotel via the 7:00 - 8:30 Full Shenandoah Breakfast Free Trolley 8:00 - 9:00 Set-up for Book Fair 6:00 - 9:00 Omni Hotel ~ Cash Bar 9:00 - 11:00 Book Fair for MBS members 6:00 - 7:00 Silent Auction 11:00 - 4:00 Book Fair open to the public 6:45 - 8:00 Dinner (announce silent auction winners) 2:00 - 4:00 Virginia Center for The Book 8:00 - 9:30 Live Auction Demonstrations 6:00 - 9:00 Cash Bar Saturday, August 11 7:00 - 9:30 The Miniature Book Society Awards Banquet 7:00 - 8:30 Full Shenandoah Breakfast Guest Speaker: 8:30 Meet at front entrance of Omni Dr. Barbara Heritage Hotel to board bus to Monticello Rare Book School 9:30 - 11:30 Tour Monticello 12:00 Return to Omni Hotel on bus Monday, August 13 12:00 - 2:00 Lunch on your own 2:00 - 3:00 MBS Membership Meeting Optional Tours on your own 3:00 - 3:45 Tony Firman Session 3:45 - 4:00 Break 4:00 - 4:45 Gabrielle Fox Session 6:00 - 8:00 Virginia Center for The Book Reception Come and Go 5:00 - Dinner on your own Map from Omni Hotel to the Virginia Center for for the Book the Book Reception Virginia Center 6:00 - 8:00 Saturday Omni Hotel

6 Miniature Book Society Miniature Book Society 7 Meet A Book Artist Conclave Deadlines Miyako Akai to Attend Conclave huge part of the thrill of every proach to creating a total package of a Conclave is getting to meet true work of art in her latest creations. Registration some of the most unique and Conclave Cost $295 A Intricate boxes with hidden magnetic interesting book people in the world. closures conceal the delicate minia- Deadline for Registration: July 9 For the people who will attend the ture scrolls Send Completed Registration and payment to Charlottesville Conclave, they will be “The text is in Japanese. There are Cathie Abney / 3105 Milton Road / Middletown OH 45042-3656 able to meet a true legend in The Min- 68 short stories to play with the moon Go to www.mbs.org to download a Conclave Registration Form iature Book Society, Miyako Akai, a and stars written by Taruho Inagaki. book artist from Japan. I printed texts with a laser printer. And A year ago I wrote to Miyako and invited her to attend our upcoming Hotel Conclave. I was thrilled to get a re- Omni Hotel Charlottesville 434-971-5500 Press 1 sponse that said she and her husband, Hiroshi, would make the arduous Miniature Book Society Rate: $189 journey. Cut-off Date for special rate: July 9 Besides winning numerous MBS awards, Miyako is a published author Keepsakes of numerous books on book making Deadline: August 1 Send to: Rick Hill 9290 Tower Side Drive #406 to another paper, I printed the Fairfax VA 22031 illustrations with letter- press and drypoint with many gradation colors. Silent Auction Two sheets of thin Japa- nese papers were glued Proceeds split 50/50 MBS/Donor together crossing the eyes Deadline: August 1 Send to: of the paper so that the paper Karen Nyman would not easily torn. By using 7835 Rush Rose Drive #124 glue for restoring cultural properties Carlsbad CA 92009 so as not to deteriorate easily.” Akai says in her description. Miyako Akai (c) Atsuko (Lasp Inc.). Miyako Akai is one of the kindest and most delightful people you will Live Auction and teaches workshops throughout ever meet. She and the many other Japan. young book artists will be a high point Deadline: July 7 Send to: She brings a sensibility, creativity, Jim Brogan of the Conlave experience. You will and perspective to her unique book be charmed to get to know this talent- 53 Dreahook Road making that we have seldom seen in ed artist. And she will be selling at Branchburg, NJ 08876 western miniature books. She has the book fair! also grown in her imaginative ap- 8 Miniature Book Society Miniature Book Society 9 hen I was granted the miniature books. And even they are fining The Rainbow shows up. The to allow that first light rubbing to feel privilege of editing The mostly from friends such as Julian only word that I can adequately use is the paper. The papermaker’s art con- Miniature Book Society Edison, Neale Albert, Stephen Byrne, gobsmacked. ducts a tactile emotion. Newsletter, I promised myself that I and Caroline Brandt. However at I’m fairly jaded about miniature That is why I love the almost lost W art of letterpress. Like a blind man I would never get into the trap of re- the front of that most precious pack books. I’ve seen them all and they viewing miniature books. I is one designed by a fellow I never are merely copies of better books. can gently pass my fingers across the call it a trap because as had the privilege of meeting in But not so with Rebecca page and feel the dried ink on the a journalist I am bound person, Joe D’Ambrosio and Bingham’s newest creation. textured paper. It creates a union to tell the truth. And written by an old Again, the words of Lloyd of me with words, the printer, and I take this volunteer friend, Ray Brad- Wright echo in my ears as I author. It is emotional. ‘job’ just as seri- bury. It is called open the package and behold The first touch was on the front ously as the editor The Stars and the usually mundane spine of lid or cover. The paste papers of The New York was printed by the book. Oh, my God! The made by Madeleine Durham Times. (Note that Gold Stein Press Spine! It’s just a spine! Yet, were soft like a rainbow. It was the Newsletter and The in 1993. If you I already am experiencing an like touching an image in the sky New York Times are both bold AND own a copy, boy, emotional connection with a as my fingers sailed across the italicized!) are you a lucky duck. miniature book. How unusual. multicolored cover. I looked Then it happened. Defining The What I recognized in the crafting of How curious. How...unexpect- down to see what my fingers Rainbow by Rebecca Press crossed The Stars was the same genius that ed? were experiencing and I beheld my desk and my promise melted like Frank Lloyd Wright espoused in ar- I must explain the phrase ‘emotional a section of that very rainbow with a snowman in a scorching Texas sun. chitecture: “form follows function.” connection.’ It is different with each steaks of gold and the word Rainbow And here is why: I have lots of min- He would actually yell that phrase at reader or viewer. It is that thing that gently and elegantly inscribed in the iature books. I have been collecting his architects and builders. takes your breath away, that makes same gold. A more perfect blend of since 1966. Raise your hand if you D’Ambrosio took Bradbury’s words you gasp, that may even bring a tear font, color, and texture I had seldom were even alive in 1966! Ask me and the form of the pages followed the to one eye. That thing was in the beheld. Again, my breath was taken how many miniature books I have... function and meaning of his beautiful spine of Rebecca Bingham’s stunning away. Another emotional connection Go ahead, ask me...I’m glad you words. Two artistic geniuses collided masterpiece. and I had not even opened the book! asked me. “I have no idea.” They are like two super novas and the stars And if the mere spine evoked such a We are all familiar with the phrase, in big boxes, in an entire library of were literally created from nothing in strong emotion, what would the book “You can’t judge a book by its cov- miniature books, and throughout my the universe of miniature books. hold for me? er.” And that is true with most books house, and storage shed. I never thought there would be I was in the printing business in one and especially miniature books. The So, I have seen thousands of minia- another Joe D’Ambrosio and I still way or another for over forty years. space is so small to convey any kind ture books, but I only have one very don’t think there will ever be another One of the almost magical tricks-of- of a message that most publishers are small half shelf of my most prized Ray Bradbury, but then BAM, De- the-trade is to learn the ancient art of happy to just be able to quickly gold using thumb and the first three fingers 10 Miniature Book Society Miniature Book Society 11 of where I will look and what I see. ers, Rebecca Saady Bingham might each signature is a different color of We have an immediate and emotional still be doing her daily household the rainbow. The divider between relationship. She is in charge and she chores and washing the dishes rather each signature is a heavier cardstock is going to tell me her story of color than creating art. Williamson encour- paper with a marbled cover that clos- and I WILL listen. I have no other aged Bingham to get back into the es the last color and then on the other choice, as the genius of design miniature book game after an absence side opens the next color. The mar- demands it. of two decades. So, KUDOS to Bar- bled divider pages were created by My eye is drawn to a half circle bara Williamson and others who en- Jemma Lewis and she did her magic (rainbow) of swirls of color. It is a couraged Rebecca Bingham. Your with great skill. stamp a short title. petite marbled canvas attached to the dedication to miniature books has Having tried my hand at the art of Not so with Ms. Bingham. She em- title page and the colors compel my paid off with a huge win for the fu- marbling I know some of the difficul- ploys every pica of her publication to attention. It is married to the title of ture of miniature books. Can we give ties. My own marbled papers adorn express the emotion of color. Again, the book set at a rainbowesque angle. Barb a second Glasgow Cup? some of the finest trash can liners in I harken back to Joe D’Ambrosio. The designer has set a hook and I But my mind wandered away from our house. So, I try to figure out how His publications utilized every pos- have been caught. I am now into the the book. Excuse me. one gets a two sided marbled page? sible venue to evoke an emotion in book and I can sense that I am about My fingers gently ply between The answer is one doesn’t. The book the reader / viewer. D’Ambrosio and to go down the rabbit hole and experi- the pages of the text. I can barely artist has skillfully attached two dif- Bingham both speak to the soul of the ence whatever this modern day Alice feel the lettering which means the ferent thin sheets to a card stock di- reader. Like an arrow their message demands of my emotions. amount of ink used was near perfect vider. It takes me several minutes to goes directly to the heart and spreads As I open the first page of the book and my fingers recognize a rag paper pry just a tiny edge apart to confirm a warmth throughout the body that my publisher’s eye goes right to what that is possibly linen in origin. I flip my suspicion. Genius. one seldom feels in a mere publica- I perceive as a flaw! I’m crestfallen to the colophon to find out but alas, Form follows function. tion. And they perform this feat of to think that this may just be another Ms. Bingham has not granted us the The words are simple. Merely dif- magic through meaningful design. miniature book. The ‘flaw’ is in the privilege of knowing the genealogy ferent words used to describe a color. Again, ‘form follows function’ gutter of the double page spread and of the paper. But my fingers usually But many of the words contain emo- echos in my mind. it is the white thread that dangles un- do not lie and I am fairly confident in tional triggers. I am sure that they Now, I must admit that I am a sucker cut and in my mind unkept. are meant to evoke a unique emotion for marbled endsheets. I would say But I look closer and see, to my in each individual reader / viewer. that I own several hundred very large delight, that I am wrong. This is in- And that trigger word is then ampli- marbled sheets that I have promised telligent design. The thread is in the fied with the visual stimulation of the to put in my miniature books some form of a bow. This is a gift from Ms. striking marbled dividers. day. Alas, they stayed rolled up until Bingham directly to Mr. Hill. And as When I closed the book and returned once in a while, I dig them out and al- I will find out the thread color chang- to the spine, I had an epiphany. This low myself to drift into the magic of es with each new color. The simple what they have told me. An excellent is not just another miniature book; the swirls and fans. gutter is used to convey emotion. Ge- quality paper that is not too thick and this is art. There’s not another Joe Defining the Rainbow begins with nius. Sheer genius. not too thin. And one that will last D’Ambrosio. But there is a Rebecca a lovely marbled endsheet but the I am suddenly struck with the real- the ages. Bingham. And like the rainbow, she eye is immediately drawn to the title ization that were it not for members There are eight signatures (sewn brings joy and magic to the eye page. The designer is in total control such as Barbara Williamson and oth- together sections) in the book. And and soul. 12 Miniature Book Society Miniature Book Society 13 Eminent Miniatures A Lifetime of Collecting the Best in The World by Molly Schwartzburg Miniature Book Collection: Selected sociated with these names. Conclave welcoming design with Charlottes- or many years, Caroline by Caroline Brandt” spans four cen- attendees may learn new information ville graphic designer Mike Powers. Brandt has been working turies and includes works by a wide about the broad productions of press- The show’s deep purple background on an exhibition concept: range of firms and individuals. It in- es with large followings in the min- and gold accents evoke the bookmak- to display examples of cludes famous publishers such as the iature-book community, such as the ing “royalty” on display. miniature books by emi- Plantin Press and the Oxford Univer- Press of the Indiana Kid or Dawson’s I have learned a great deal about Car- Fnent printers, publishers, and binders sity Press, elegant fine presses such Book Shop. If oline Brandt’s who are known widely for their non- as the Perishable Press and the Whit- I have one re- collection in miniature work. Finally, for the tington Press, and fine binders such as gret about the the process of 2018 Conclave in Charlottesville, Sangorski & Sutcliffe and Jan Sobota. exhibition, it is transforming we have made this concept a re- Of particular note are examples of the that I did not her exhibition Molly ality. The exhibition, “Eminent work of craftsmen who may be little have enough concept into Schwartzburg Miniatures from the McGehee known today, but were well known in space to dis- reality. It has their own time and place, play the min- enabled me to such as the Salmin broth- iature books spend more ers, the Paduan printers alongside their time in her who hand-set 2-point type creators’ larger 15,000-item for the famous Dantino. volumes. But collection than UVA’s libraries have with just shy of one hundred volumes I have ever before, and it has taught many bibliophile visitors in on display, it’s limited to miniatures. me so much about just how rich the the summer months, when This exhibition has been, like all collection is. It is a joy to be able to The Rare Book School is in such projects, a group effort. Be- share a tiny session and visitors come cause craftsmanship is a fundamen- sliver of this from around the world to tal focus of this exhibition, the show collection--and attend week-long sessions features large detail photographs by Caroline’s ex- in Alderman Library, next Shane Lin, to help visitors under- hibition vision- door to Special Collec- stand just how remarkable are the -with the MBS tions. Many of these ex- volumes on display. Our miniature community. I hibition visitors will bring book project cataloger, Jacqueline look forward to with them the knowledge Parascandola, cataloged a number seeing many of of the Didot family of type of the books which were, until this you in the gal- Caroline Brandt designers, or the fine books exhibition project, only searchable lery! on papermaking by the in a back-end database. Our exhibi- Bird and Bull Press, and we tion coordinator Holly Robertson Eminent Miniatures hope they will depart with bent beautiful clear acrylic cradles June 6-August 26 at the Albert and a new appreciation for the by hand, each custom-made for its Shirley Small Special Collections miniature productions as- book. We worked on the exhibition’s Library, University of Virginia

Miniature Book Society 15 Advertising Rates Full Page 4.5” x 7.5” $100 1/2 Page 4.5” x 3.75” $50 Jefferson said: 1/4 Page 2.25” x 3.75” $30 Send ads to: Mail payments for ads (in US dollars) “But friendship is precious, Christina Amato (paypal address [email protected] to: 152 14th Street Apt. 3 Cathie Abney not only in the shade, but Brooklyn, New York 11215 3105 Milton Road in the sunshine of life, and email: [email protected] Middletown OH 45042-3656 thanks to a benevolent Miniature Book Society Newsletter arrangement the greater A publication of the Miniature Book Society Inc. Number 108 part of life is sunshine.” Issued in March, July, November. Items for pub- Newsletter Editor lication, including advertising material, should be Rick Hill sent to the Editor. Publication deadlines are: Feb- 9290 Tower Side Drive #406 ruary 1, June 1, October 1. Payment for advertising Fairfax, Virginia 22031 “I find friendship to be should be made to Miniature Book Society Inc. 972-345-3619 and sent to the Treasurer: Cathie Abney / 3105 [email protected] like wine, raw when new, Milton Road / Middletown, Ohio 45042-3656. ripened with age, the true The Miniature Book Society is an international Newsletter Writer nonprofit organization founded in 1983 and char- Cynthia Cosgrove old man’s milk and restor- tered by the state of Ohio, USA. Its purposes are 10151 University Blvd #279 to sustain interest in all aspects of miniature books, Orlando, FL 32817-1904 ative cordial.” to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, and [email protected] to serve as a clearinghouse for information about miniature books. Newsletter Business Manager “Books constitute capital. A library Website: https://www.mbs.org Christina Amato Board of Governors for 2017-2018 152 14th Street Apartment 3 book lasts as long as a house, for hundreds of President: James Brogan Brooklyn, New York 11215 Vice-President: Cherry Williams [email protected] years. It is not, then, an article of mere consump- Secretary: Gail Faulkner tion but fairly of capital, and often in the case of Treasurer: Cathie Abney Newsletter Managing Editor Members at-large: Neale Albert professional men, setting out in life, it is their only Todd Sommerfeld Michael Garbett 815 Park Avenue Darleen Cordova Christina Amato New York, New York 10021-3276 capital.” Membership in the Society is open to all inter- [email protected] ested individuals, organizations, and institutions Membership dues in United States dollars: $40.00 Preferably submissions should be made electronically, by individual/couple for USA members, $45.00 in- e-mail or disk. Attachments in Microsoft Word for text, “I cannot live without books.” or PDF and JPEG for images are preferred. Articles in dividual/couple for Canadian members; $55.00 the Newsletter do not necessarily express the views of the individual/couple outside North America. Corpo- Board or of the Editor. Any article without a byline was Come to rate membership: $50.00 (USA), $55.00 (Canada), written by the editor of the MBS Newsletter. $65.00 (outside North America). Deadline for the next issue October 1, 2018 Membership inquiries and dues payments: Printed by Alliance Printing & Mailing Services Membership Coordinator Conclave XXXVI Donna LaVallee 178 Brewster Street San Francisco, CA 94110 415-648-1382 in Charlottesville [email protected] Membership dues paid via PayPal: [email protected]

16 Miniature Book Society Miniature Book Society 17 The Eileen Cummings’ Collection Selling 4,700 Miniature Books email Individually handmade copies of a rare and delightful [email protected] Georgian children’s miniature book, illustrated with many engraved plates. 2¼ x 1¾ in. GB£ 35 (+postage) for an Excel© file or Limited to 100 copies, numbered and signed by the numbers file for Mac publisher. Available with red, tan or blue leather spines. of miniature books for sale. David Shuker, The Grainstore Workshop, Coney Lodge, Park Farm Rd., Birling, Kent, ME19 5JZ, UK E: [email protected] “More Miniature Books for sale than you can carry”

Two of Wodehouse’s classic golf stories: Cuthbert, who is luck at golf, but not at love; and Archibald, who is loved by everyone, but not so good at golf. And a “real” golf club on the cover!

www.TonyFirmanBookbinding.com

18 Miniature Book Society Miniature Book Society 19 Miniature Books at Oak Knoll

Browse our stock of over 1,300 books at www.oakknoll.com/mini Personalized quotes and catalogues available upon request.

20 Miniature Book Society