THE MICROBIBLIOPHILE© A Bimonthly Journal about Miniature Books and the Book Arts Volume XXXVII, Number 6, Issue 216, November 2018 A Time For Reflection Single Issue Price: $7.00 ISSN #1097-5551 A Curious Discovery By Sherry Mayo As I gazed at the Frontis picture for this issue, two songs that are traditional holiday staples were almost immediately called to mind. One is “Jingle Bells” and the other is “Over the River and Through the Wood”. The lyrics and melodies are so familiar that most of us do not require a printed sheet to join in the singing. As you read, do you find the tunes wafting through your head? Have you ever wondered about the origins? How did these two songs, often invoked by the Frontis image of horses and sleigh traversing a snowy road, come to be associated with the holidays and principally Christmas? (Continued on page 13) 2 THE MICROBIBLIOPHILE© A Bimonthly Journal about Miniature Books and the Book Arts Robert F. Hanson, Founder, 1977 ISSN# 1097-5551 ____________________________________________________________________________ Volume XXXVII, Number 6, Issue Number 216 November, 2018 Book Reviews and Criticism: William Clark: Master of Exploration, published by The Wild Onion Press 05 The Great Bookworm Race, by Pat Sweet, published by Bo Press 07 Woodblock Printing, by F. Morley Fletcher, published by Plum Park Press 08 The Play, by C. J. Dennis, published by Bookarts 10 D C Portals, by Rachel Z. Bingham, published by Rebecca Press 11 Special Features: A Curious Discovery, by Sherry Mayo (continued from page 2) 13 Christmas Time Is A Good Time, by Gail Faulkner 16 Time Machine, LXIVMOS, Number 19, by Nina Mazzo 18 Almost Miniatures, by Nina Mazzo 19 Letter to the Editor, Dew Drops 21 A Matter of Size: Miniature Texts & Bindings from the Collection of Patricia J. Pistner 22 An American Reflection, The Gettysburg Address, by Gail Curry 26 Weber’s 101 and Counting, by Darleen Cordova 38 An Update On the Dwarsliggers,, A New Book Format 39 In Search of Lilliput, by Ian Macdonald 40 Little Books Make Big Friends, by Barbara Morris 47 Colonial Courting and the ‘catchword’ 49 Purrings, A Reflecion 51 Discovering Miniature Christmas Books, One Last Word RFH 52 Departments: Terms and Definitions, ‘Ligature’ 21 MBS Traveling Exhibit 25 Get the Ink Ready, Start the Presses 40 Publications Received and Some Interesting Book Stuff 50 Beautiful Libraries, Boston Central Library, A Preview 53 Catalogues Received 54 Upcoming Events 55 The Microbibliophile Frontispiece for January/February 2018 57 Classified 58 The Microbibliophile P. O. Box 5453, North Branch, NJ 08876 U.S.A. Sherry Mayo, Publisher James M. Brogan, Editor © 2018 by James M. Brogan 3 Greetings from the Squeaky Roll Top Desk: all just seemed to jump off of the calendar and we go from warm days, to pumpkins and turkeys, and then Christmas is here with its the frosty nights and wonderful F decorations. Fall always reminds me of all of the things we have done and all of those things that we still want to do before year’s end, a time for reflection. Swimming turns to soccer and soccer to snowmen, how time flies. As I speak of reflection, this issue of The Microbibliophile will mark eight years, 49 issues, countless book reviews, and pages and pages of information and sharing. I thought that it would be a good opportunity to share some items and articles from previous times in the world of miniature books. I selected an old letter to the editor, a 1980 prospectus for a new miniature book, a few older miniature holiday books, and a few surprises. Elaine and I had a very enjoyable trip to the Wigtown Book Festival, which included the cordial hosting by Stephen and Marian Byrne and Ian and Helen Macdonald. The land and the scenery provided moments to remember but the time spent with our hosts was priceless. Stephen Byrne has prepared an article about the Wigtown Book Festival and the MBS exhibit of his miniature books that will be published in the forthcoming MBS Newsletter. Please take a few minutes to search it out on the MBS website; www.mbs.org. One of the interesting things that I was given by Ian was a copy of his printed journal detailing his 1985 trip to America. The journal documents all of the miniature book people that he visited along his way across the country, from Boston to Burbank and back again. I have included the opening pages of Ian’s report to share with you, highlighting an earlier period in the world of miniature books. The last issue of the year would not be complete without our reminder to renew your subscription; the 2019 price is the same as it was for 2018. Additionally, as always, this humble editor asks that you please consider joining the list of contributors to the ‘MB’ journal by sharing your books, your adventures, and your passion for all book arts. Diversity is the spice of life and let us all gather around the table for a feast of thoughts and ideas to help satiate our hunger and move us forward on our ‘bookish’ journeys. Lastly, thank you for the opportunity to bring The Microbibliophile into your life and wishing you and yours the best for your Holidays and a Healthy, Happy New Year! 4 OBITUARY: It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we share with you the news that Robert F. Orr Hanson, the Founder and first Editor of The Microbibliophile, passed away on Tuesday October 30, 2018. He had recently celebrated his 90th birthday. Bob’s idea for The Microbibliophile began in 1977 with a manual typewriter and a giant love of miniature books. He continually shared his thoughts and ideas for bibliophiles throughout his life and often contributed articles to this journal. Bob was a very private man and his daughter, Susanne Hanson, will prepare a more formal obituary and biography in the near future. As Bob would frequently say in closing to our many telephone conversations, “Keep those issues coming”; we shall though our dear friend and mentor will be dearly missed. MINIATURE BOOK REVIEWS and CRITICISM: William Clark: Master of Exploration, excerpts from the journals of Lewis and Clark, published by The Wild Onion Press, edited by Patricia Caernarven-Smith, September 2018. The tome is a selection of entries from the original work published in Philadelphia in 1814. That book carried the title, History of the Expedition under the command of Captains Lewis and Clark, to the Sources of the Missouri, Thence Across the Rocky Mountains and Down Under the River Columbia to the Pacific Ocean: Performed During the Years 1804-5-6, By Order of the Government of the United States. ‘The Lewis and Clark Expedition’, was an Front cover illustration adventure of a lifetime for the participants, who may have remarked; ‘what have we gotten ourselves into’. Every American history class talks about this first expedition to cross the western portion of the United States. It was commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson who as a farmer, favored ‘land’ as a critical resource which would help build the United States. His political reasons were to establish a route into the vast territory before British and European countries laid claim. In the early 1800’s word of settlements did not travel as fast as news today, so a physical presence was a requirement to establish ownership. 5 Lewis and Clark were two very different men, but together they reached the Pacific and returned to St. Louis. All the while mapping, measuring, reporting, and trading throughout their entire expedition. The journal highlights their differences yet how they worked together for the completion of their mission. The chosen excerpts, for this miniature, highlight those differences. This tome, Volume I, is devoted to Clark. Volume II, a future publication, will focus on Lewis. Clark was a true army man, which was apparent by his management of the day-to-day operations and the men under his command. Clark, a lieutenant and junior, in rank, to Lewis who was a captain, both equally shared the duties of the command. The journal entries are interesting vignettes into the day-to-day life on this epic journey. An Editor’s Note explains that the ‘misspellings’ are not unintentional mistakes but represent the writings of Lewis and Clark. There are also additional editorial notations to explain the various word forms for the purpose of clarity and understanding for a 21st century reader. Image of endpaper map, (courtesy of Encyclopedia Britannica) The book consists of 280 pages and is 3" x 3". It is typeset utilizing a Garamond font on glossy Suzano Report paper. The title and a full-color illustration of the expedition’s riverboat meeting up with an Indian boat are on the cover and crosses onto the spine for an expanded image. The title also appears on the spine. The front and rear endpapers show an illustration of an early territory map of the United States. The construction and finishing are flawless. This book is an open edition and is signed by the publisher. 6 ‘William Clark’ is priced at $45, including shipping directly from the publisher, www.TheWildOnionPress.com. I certainly enjoyed reading the journal entries for this great historical mission. Contact information: Pat Caernarvon-Smith, P.O. Box 77883, Fort Worth, TX 76177 E-mail: [email protected] or www.TheWildOnionPress.com The Great Bookworm Race, 2011, Bo Press Miniature Books, published by Pat Sweet. The wonderful thing about miniature books is that they are timeless and allow your mind to soar with the subject.