Curio

State Library of New South Wales
A selection of miniature books

A selection of miniature books

1700s and 1800s
Bound volumes

The London Almanack: For the Year of Christ 1792
London: printed for the Company of Stationers, 1792
Bequest of Sir William Dixson, 1952
SAFE/ 79/87

The London Almanack: For the Year of Christ 1765
Miniature book
London: printed for the Company of Stationers, 1765
Bequest of Sir William Dixson, 1952
SAFE/ 76/11

Galileo a Madame Cristina di Lorenza,1896
Miniature book
Padova: Tip. Salmin, 1896
Bequest of Sir William Dixson, 1952
SAFE/ 89/586

Schloss' English Bijou Almanac
‘poetically illustrated’ by S Lover’, 1840
Miniature book
London: A Schloss, 1840
Bequest of Sir William Dixson, 1952
SAFE/ 84/456


Almanac for 1883
by Kate Greenaway
Miniature book
London: G Routledge, 1883
Bequest of Sir William Dixson, 1952
SAFE 88/649

Victoria, the Good Queen and Empress,1897
Miniature book
London: Gardner, Darton & Co, 1897
Bequest of Sir William Dixson, 1952
SAFE/ 89/587

These miniatures date from the 18th and 19th centuries, when miniature bibles, dictionaries and almanacs were the most popular editions. From the 19th century on, Children’s books, editions of Shakespeare and novels became increasingly popular, adding to the range of titles being produced in miniature form.

Although small in size, miniature books have had a big impact on the development of printing and bookbinding because of the exacting and intricate demands of their production. Miniature books require very fine paper, clear engravings and perfectly proportioned type. Binding requires particular skill and often included the production of a small carry in case with a magnifier.

A register of history

The miniature almanacs on display were printed by the Company of Stationers, established in London in 1503 with the aim of organising the booksellers who copied and sold manuscript books and writing materials. Under the authority of a Royal Charter, in 1557 the company gained the right to search for and seize illicit or pirated 'copies' and to prevent publication of any book which had not been licensed by a warden of the company. All new titles had to be entered in the company’s register, and a bookseller could register his right to publish the title by paying a fee of 4 to 6 pence.

The history of many publications can be traced through the information contained in the registers. For example, in 1607 John Busby and Nathaniel Butter claimed the right to print ‘A booke called Master William Shakespeare his historye of Kinge Lear, as yt was played before the Kinges maiestie at Whitehall vppon Sainct Stephens night at Christmas Last, by his maiesties servantes playinge vsually at the Globe on the Banksyde’. They paid sixpence for the privilege. The author of the work, in this case William Shakespeare, did not have any rights in the publication or reissuing of his work. In 1710, the Copyright Act or Statute of Anne replaced the role of the Company of Stationers in registering and regulating publications.