The
Arizona Health Sciences Library
Human beings have always been fascinated by
extremes such as the highest mountain, the tallest building,
the deepest abyss, and miniature objects of all kinds. And
so it is with books. An interesting holiday book exhibit
at the Arizona Health Sciences Library, prepared by Information
Services Librarian, Fred Heidenreich, explores the world
of miniature books. That is the category of books generally
defined as three inches tall or less. Tiny books have been
produced for reasons of practicality, curiosity, and aesthetics,
limited only by the printer's skill and the binder's imagination.
Printing in miniature is technically challenging and miniature
books are often produced to display the techniques of the
bookmakers.
On display are many intriguing and beautiful
examples of miniature books through the ages from papyrus
scrolls and replicas of Babylonian clay tablets down to
today’s ultimate in miniaturization, the “Palm
Pilot” or PDA.
Some of the topics explored are scientific
and medical miniature books, special materials used in binding
miniatures, political books, miniature books as religious
articles or devotional aids. Also on display are examples
of toy miniature books for children and mini books as jewelry
or items of apparel. We also see examples of miniaturized
classics of great literature, dictionaries and gazetteers,
and demonstrations in extreme miniaturization.
The AHS Library invites you to stop by during
the month of December to view these beautiful expressions
of the book arts. It will be apparent that miniature books
have been always been published as labors of love and will
continue to be produced in small quantities. Come and learn
why serious collectors are so intrigued by the design, binding,
typography, paper, condition and rarity of miniature books.
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