The Charlotte M. Smith Collection of Miniature Books
Return to: 20th Century U. S. Imprints in the Smith Collection
The portion of this website in front of you brings together in preliminary fashion a variety of lists and descriptions for United States Miniature Books published during the Twentieth Century. The books have then been organized by press or publisher as described in Robert C. Bradbury's Twentieth Century United States Miniature Books (No. Clarendon, Vermont: The Microbibliophile, 2000). This page describes titles held by the University of Iowa Libraries for the press or publisher described below. The descriptions generally follow Bradbury's format: Author. Title. Imprint (if it varies from the heading), date. Size in inches. Number of pages. Brief physical description. Illustrations note. Copy # of [##] copies.
Tabula Rasa Press
Seattle, WA
1974-
Lathourakis, John P. Akarasputin. 2 vol. Vol. 1 Permanent Press,
1975; Vol. 2 Tabula Rasa Press, 1978. Vol. 1 #103 of 250 signed by
author; Vol. 2 #7 of 250 signed by Lathourakis. 2-11/16" x 2-1/8".
Vol 1 69 pp; Vol 2 72+xxiv pp.
Colophon:
Vol 1: The type used in this mini book is Trump Medieval, while the
title pages and colophon were set in Bembo and Arrighi, respectively.
Typography and printing were done manually by the author; his wife
bound the books. Frontispiece illustration is by Howard
Goldstein.
Vol 2: The typesetting, printing, and bookbinding were all done by hand, Tabula
Rasa Press. B20th5/1738
2 color initial caps with ornament before each chapter opening.
Cockerell endpapers. B20th 4 &5
Lathourakis, John P. Great Tungus Catastrophe. Pasadena, CA Tabula Rasa Press, 1978. 58pp. 2-7/8 x2-1/8. COLOPHON: Illustrations are by Anya Fisher. Design, printing, and binding all done on hand-operated equipment. Of an edition of 300 this is copy #56. Signed by John Lathourakis. Letterpress, gilt cloth spine, marbled paperboards. Illus. 300 copies. B20th7/1745
Apostal, Jane. Blue Beads and Garlic. Pasadena, CA, Tabula Rasa
Press, 1979. 50 pp. 2-3/16" x 1-15/16".
Colophon: Printed on a hand-operated press and hand bound by John and
Gizella Lathourakis in an edition of 300 copies. This is #72.
Illustrated by Howard Goldstein. Hand bound in patterned light blue,
dark blue, and white paper with blue bead and yarn ribbon. B20th
8/208.
Lathourakis, John P. Ladle Rat Rotten Hut. Pasadena, CA, Tabula
Rasa Press, 1978. 24pp. 2-1/8" x 2-1/16".
Colophon: Illustrations are by Howard Goldstein. Printed on a
hand-operated press and hand bound by John and Gizella Lathourakis.
Of an edition of 300 copies, this is #218.
Red leatherette on spine, Cockerell over boards. Gold stamping on
spine and colored end papers. B20th 9/1748.
Maupassant, Guy de. The Beggar. Pasadena, CA, Tabula Rasa Press, 1979. 42pp.
2-7/8" x 2-1/8".
Colophon: Type used in this book is Linotype Garamond. Printed and hand-bond
by John and Gizella Lathourakis. Of an edition of 300 copies this is copy
#14. Signed by John Lathourakis.
Gold stamped leatherette on spine and Cockerell over boards. B20th 10/2021.
Lathourakis, John P. Survival Guide to Rome. Pasadena, CA, Tabula
Rasa Press, 1980. 48 pp. 2-15/16" x 2-1/4".
Colophon: This book was set in Bodoni Book and printed on acid-free
paper. Divider sheets are Moriki hand-made rice paper. Printed and
bound by hand with an edition of 300 copies of which this is #44.
Signed by John Lathourakis.
The author was a United Nations employee in Rome and writes from
first-hand experience. Gilt stamped leatherette and boards. Designed
endpapers. B20th 11/1754.
Epictetus. A Selection from the Discourses. 6 vol. Pasadena, CA,
Tabula Rasa Press, 1980.
#17 of 200 signed by John Lathourakis. B20th 12/1039.
Katura, I. Diatribe. Pasadena, CA, Tabula Rasa Press, 1980. 29 pp.
2-15/16" x 2-3/16".
Colophon: This book was set in Bodoni Book and printed on hand made
paper. Printed and bound by hand in an edition of 300 copies. This is
#24. Initialized by J.L.
Bound in brown cloth with title on front and on spine in black.
Cockerell end papers. B20th 13/1627.
Cardenas, Darlene. Jane's Birthday Party. Tabula Rasa Press, 1981.
2-1/8" x 1-15/16".
Colophon: The typeface used for this book is Torino. The book was
printed in an edition of 300 copies of which this is #20. Initialized
by John Lathourakis.
Contains two complete stories: Jane's Birthday Party and Corky the Cat and Mopsy. Illustrated by Drusilla Cottrell. 59 pp. Bound in blue
cloth with gold stamping. B20th 14/589.
Cardenas, Darlene. Pity and Paty & Ingrid. Morro Bay, Tabula
Rasa Press, 1981. 58 pp. 2-1/8" x 1-15/16".
Colophon: The typeface for this book was printed in an edition of 300
copies of which this is #20. Initialed by J.P.L.
Illustrations by Kathi Pittman. Bound in green paper over boards with gold
stamping on covers and spine. French marbled end papers. B20th 15/591.
Cordenas, Dorlene. Pity and Paty & Ingrid (Two Stories). Morro
Bay, Tabula Rasa, 1981. 58 pp. 2-1/8" x 1-15/16".
Colophon: The typeface used for this book was printed in an edition
of 300 copies. This is #117.
Illustrations by Kathi Pittman. Bound in green paper over boards with gold
stamping on covers and spine. B20th 16/592. (2 copies, copy 2 has no title
on cover)
Mount, Robert L. The Great Debate of 1594. 2 vol. Morro Bay,
Tabula Rasa Press, 1981. 2-1/8" x 2". About 63 pp each. #11 of 300
copies.
Colophon: The typeface used for this book is Cloister Olde Style #11
typeset. Printed on archival Permalife in an edition of 300 copies.
Signed.
Bound in leather and elephant hide, gold stamping on spine, head
bands. B20th 18/2150.
Lathourakis, John P. Dippa, Kippa, Leepa. Tabula Rasa Press, 1981.
90 pp. 2-1/8" x 1-15/16".
Colophon: The type used for this book is Granjon, and the paper used
is 100% Rag Cranes Crest. Printed in an edition of 300 copies of
which this is #42. Signed by Lathourakis.
Bound in marbled paper with Cockerell end papers. Gold stamping on
spine, head and tail bands. B20th 20/1741
Cardenas, Sue. Sue's Hair Ribbon. Morro Bay, Tabula Rasa Press,
1981. 2-1/8" x 2". 67 pp.
Colophon: The typeface used for this book is Torino. The book was
printed in an edition of 300 copies of which this is #12.
***THREE IN ONE*** Three complete stories in one book. Contains Sue's Hair Ribbon, The Big Old House, and The Purple
Car.
Illustrations by Kathi Pittman. Bound in yellow printed cloth with
plain yellow spine. Red label with gold title on spine. B20th 22/593.
Cardenas, Dorlene. Home for Champ. Morro Bay, Tabula Rasa Press,
1981. 2-1/8" x 1-15/15". 68 pp. #27 of 300 copies.
Colophon: The typeface used for this book is Torino. The book was
printed in an edition of 300 copies. This is copy #27. Initialized by
J. T. L.
Three complete stories in one book. Illustrations by Kathi Pittman.
Bound in blue cloth with gold stamping. B20th 24/587.
Harris, Eldon. Baseball-one. Sports series. Morro Bay, Tabula Rasa
Press, 1981. 2-3/16" x 2". 59 pp. #52 of 300 copies signed by
Harris.
Colophon: Type for this book is Bodoni Book. Printed on Howard's
Permalife Olde Style Text in an edition of 300 copies. Signed by
Harris.
Marbled paper overboards with leather spine. Title gold-stamped on
spine. B20th 26/1318.
Cardenas, Dorlene. A Christmas Story. Pasadena, CA, Tabula Rasa
Press, 1981. 59 pp. 2-1/8" x 1-7/8".
Colophon: The typeface used for this book is Torino. Printed on 100
percent Rag Cranes Crest in an edition of 300 copies.
Illustrations by Drusilla Cottrell. Bound in green paper with cloth
spine. Santa Claus stamped in gold on cover. Marbled end papers.
B20th 27/--(NOT LISTED)
Gans, Lydia. Glimpses of Emma Goldman. 2 vol. Tabula Rasa Press,
1981. 64 pp. each. 2-1/8" x 1-15/16".
Colophon: Type used for this book is Garamond. Printed on archival
Permalife Olde White Text in an edition of 300 copies of which this
is #77. Initialized.
Bound in elephant hide and gold stamped on cover and spine, head and
tail bands. Green cover, with darker green spine. B20th 29/--(NOT
LISTED)
Mount, Robert L. Libertalia. 2 vol. Tabula Rasa Press, 1981. 64
pp. each. 2-1/8" x 1-15/16".
Colophon: Type for this original work is Bodoni Book. Printed on
Howard's Permalife Olde Style paper. Designed, typeset, printed, and
bound by Tabula Rasa Press on hand-operated equipment. Of an edition
of 300 copies, this is #33. Initialized by J.P.L.
Bound in Elephant Hide and gold stamped on cover and spine, head and
tail bands. B20th 31/2152.
Lathourakis, John P. Ladle Rat Rotten Hut. Morro Bay, CA: Tabula
Rasa Press, 1982. 33 pp. 2" x 2". Letterpress, gilt cloth spine,
marbled paperboards
Colophon: Illustrations by Howard Goldstein. Set in Optima and printed on
Permalife paper in an edition of 300 copes of which this is copy #121. B20th
34/1749.
Gans, Lydia. Madam Pirate. Tabula Rasa Press, 1982. 96 pp. 2-1/8"
x 2-1/8". Edition of 300 copies.
Colophon: The type used for this book is Cloister; the paper is
permalife, an acid-free archival stock. The material covering the
outside and inside wrap is leather. Some of the illustrations, the
book design, and the printing were done by John Lathourakis.
Composition by William Stollar. The bookbinding is by Gizella
Lathourakis. Of an edition of 350 copies, this is #19. Initialized by
J.P.L.
Bound in a traditional oriental manner with leather wrapper. Leather
is black with gold stamping on front and back panels and with a
gold-metal device to keep the wrapper closed in the shape of a fish.
12 illustrations are all hand colored. B20th 35/1156.
Gans, Lydia. Ada Lovelace. Tabula Rasa Press, 1982. 2-1/2" x 2".
104 pp.
Colophon: Type for this book is Granjon. Printed on archival
Permalife paper. Handprinted and bound in an edition of 3oo copies of
which this is #34. Initialized by author.
Bound in green leather and Cockerell with gold stamping on the spine.
B20th 36/1155.
Harris, Eldon. Baseball-two. Sports series. Morro Bay, Tabula Rasa
Press, 1983. 64 pp. 2-1/8" x 2".
Colophon: This book is second in a series of sports-related books by
the author Eldon Harris for the exclusive use of the Tabula Rasa
Press.
Bound in marbled paper with a leather spine. Title stamped in gold on
the spine. B20th 38/1319.
Walz, Marie. What's Wrong with Jennifer? Morro Bay, Tabula Rasa Press, 1983.
80 pp. 2-1/8" x 1-7/8".
Colophon: The type used for this book is Bodoni Book. Printed in an
edition of 300 copies. This is #23. Initialized by John
Lathourakis.
Illustrations by Laura Johnson. Bound in printed paper over boards.
Green pattern with title on front cover and on the spine in red.
B20th 39/3053.
Frost, Robert. Everybody's Sanity. Morro Bay, CA: Tabula Rasa Press, 1983. B20th 40/1147. (2 copies).
Nickel, Christy. The Beginning. Morro Bay, Tabula Rasa Press,
1983. 64pp. 2-7/16" x 2".
Colophon: The type used in this book is Palatino. Hand printed on a
Vandercook on acid-free Ragston (Curtis) paper in an edition of 300
copies. This is copy #117, initialed by J.P.L.
Illustrations by Laura Johnson. Bound in green cloth over boards with
title gold-stamped on the front cover. Part of the right side of the
front cover is brown, green, and yellow marbled paper over board that
matches the endpapers. B20th 42/2250.
Lathourakis, John. But, Why Tabula Rasa? Morro Bay, Tabula Rasa
Press, 1983. 2-7/16" x 2-1/8". 76 pp.
Colophon: This book is set in 10 pt Egmont and printed on acid-free
Ragston paper in an edition of 300 copies of which this is #53.
Signed.
Illustrations by Ron Tully. Marbled endsheets, navy blue cloth
binding. B20th 43/1739.
Lathourakis, John P. Guilty Looks Enter Tree Bears. Tabula Rasa Press, 1983. Gift of Robert C. Bradbury. B20th 44/1746.
Grimm, Jacob & Wilhelm. Rapunzel. Morro Bay: Tabula Rasa Press, 1984.
2-1/2" x 2-1/8".
Colophon: Type for this book is Palatino. Printed on a Vandercock in an edition
of 300 copies of which this is #48. Initialized by J.P.L.
Illustrated by Esther Morrison and bound in Faith Harrison marbled papers
with end papers of the same pattern. Leather spine with title stamped in gold.
B20th 46/1259.
Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm. Rumpelstiltskin. Morro Bay, Tabula Rasa
Press, 1984. 38 pp. 2-1/2" x 2-1/8".
Colophon: Type for this book is Palatino. Printed on a Vandercook in
an edition of 300 copies of which this #46. Initialized by J.P.L.
Bound in Marbled paper by Faith Harrison. End papers inside same as
the outside. Leather spine with title in gold. B20th 47/1261.
Runge, Otto. The Fisherman and His Wife. Morro Bay, Tabula Rasa
Press, 1984. 2-1/2" x 2-5/16". 93 pp.
Colophon: The original text, from which this book was derived, was
printed in medieval Platt Deutsch. The text was the translation
(freely) by Gisela Rausch. This book was typeset in 10 point Egmont
and printed in an edition of 300 copies of which this is #54.
Initialized by J.P.L.
Illustrated by R.J. Tully. Bound in blue marbled paper with leather
spine with title printed in black. B20th 48/2601.
Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm. Beauty and the Beast. Morro Bay, Tabula
Rasa Press, 1984. 48 pp. 2-7/16" x 2-1/8".
Colophon: Type for this book is Palatino. Printed on a Vandercook in
an edition of 300 copies of which this is #30. Initialized by
J.L.
Illustrated by Esther Morrison. Bound in printed marbled paper with
end papers of the same pattern. Leather spine with title in gold.
Inside back cover poorly pasted. B20th 49/1249.
Takakuni, Minamoto. A Piece of Straw. Morro Bay, Tabula Rasa
Press, 1985. 42 pp. 2-13/16" x 1-1/16".
Colophon: Type for this book is 6 point Caslon, composed on the
linotype. Printed on Mohawk Letterpress paper on a Vandercook proof
press in an edition of 400 numbered copies of which this is #67.
Signed.
Bound in red leather and gilt stamped. A Japenese legend in the form
of a "finger book". Bound by Gizella Lathourakis. B20th 50/2847.
Poe, Edgar Allen. The Raven. Morro Bay, Tabula Rasa Press,
1985.
#51 of 300 copies signed by John Lathourakis.
Bound in full brown leather with black leather onlay of stylized
raven. B20th 51/2358.
Perault, Charles. Bluebeard. Morro Bay, Tabula Rasa Press, 1986.
2-13/16" x 2". 44 pp.
Colophon: The illustrations for this book are by Esther Morrison who
has also illustrated several others for TRP. The linocut on the cover
is by Peter Lathourakis. Printed on Warren's Olde Style, and typeset
in Optima on the Linotype, in an edition of 300 copies.
Bound in maroon leather with illustration of an iron gate on the
front cover, and the title stamped in silver on the spine. B20th
52/2305.
Lathourakis, John. Pegasus. Morro Bay, Tabula Rasa Press, 1986. 25
pp. 1-1/2" x 1-15/16".
Colophon: The type for this book is 4 point Century composed on the
Linotype. Printed on archival paper and hand bound, the edition is
limited to 150 copies, of which this is #34. Initialed by
Lathourakis.
Bound in black leather and gilt stamped. Contained in plastic box
along with a 4" metal figure of Pegasus, which stands up. B20th
53/1751.
Mount, Robert. Scrimshaw History. Morro Bay, Tabula Rasa Press,
1986. 39 pp. 1-7/8" x 1-3/8".
Colophon: The scrimshaw work on the cover was done by the author on
ivory. It depicts The Pride of Baltimore a topsail schooner sunk in a
freak storm in 1986 off the coast of Puerto Rico. The ship was a
precursor to the China-clippers. The type for this book is 4-point
Schoolbook (Linotype). The paper is Curtis Ragston. The cover is blue
leather. The edition is limited to just 100 copies of which this is
copy #74. Signed by the author.
Each copy has an original scrimshaw of the "Pride of Baltimore" by
the author. The ivory used is an ivory piano key about 100 years old.
Illustrated. B20th 54/2153.
Marshall, John David. One Librarian's Credo. Morro Bay, CA: Tubula
Rasa Press, 1986.
Colophon: 150 copies of this book were printed as a keepsake of
Conclave IV for the members of the Miniature Book Society by John,
Gizella and Peter Lathourakis of Tabula Rasa Press. The type is
Palatino; the paper is Rives mould-made. Special thanks are due to
the author, John David Marshall for his kind permission to print this
brief essay. B20th 55/1949.
A Portfolio of Broadsides and Ephemera in Miniature. Morro Bay,
Tabula Rasa Press, 1986. 3" x 2-7/16".
Seven broadsides. Bound in marbled paper portfolio and tied with a
ribbon. B20th 56/1752.
Zolkoski, Edwin. Native Californians. Morro Bay, Tabula Rasa
Press, 1987. 65 pp. 2-1/2 x 2-3/8".
Colophon: The type used in the composition of this book is Linotype
Eldorado. Printed by letterpress on mould-made Johannot. The hand
binding was done in a traditional Turkish style. The entire edition
is limited to 400 copies, of which this is copy number 68.
Illustrations by Carollynn Stalder. Bound in a fold-over cloth
binding with marbled end papers. Title gold-stamped on white paper
and pasted on spine. B20th 57/3340.
Flynn, Toni. Return of the Magi. San Luis Obispo, Tabula Rasa
Press, 1988. 2-1/2" x 2-1/4". 36 pp. Edition of 200 copies.
Colophon: Composed in 8 Garamond and printed by letterpress, this
hand-bound edition is limited to 200 copies. Signed by Signed by Toni
Flynn, the author.
Bound in green cloth with gold title and decorations. B20th
58/1095.
Bahar, Ann. The Eiffel Tower (1889-1989). Seattle, WA: Tabula Rasa
Press, 1989. 34 pp. 2-7/16" x 2-1/8".
Colophon: One hundred fifty copies of this book have been printed
from Eldorado 7 point type on Rives heavyweight. Copy #4, signed by
Ann Bahar.
Bound in grey cloth over boards with the title gold-stamped on the
spine and an illustration of the Eiffel Tower gold-stamped on the
front cover along with a red, white, and blue ribbon affixed
lengthwise down the front cover next to the spine. Endpapers
reproduce a rare card model Eiffel Tower (printed in pink) published
by Pellerin et Cie for sale as a souvenir at the 1889 World's Fair.
Contains two tipped in photographs; one is used as a frontispiece and
is a photograph of Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, and the other is a
cartoon illustration of him. B20th 60/247.
Field, Eugene. Dibdin's Ghost. Beaverton, OR: Beaverdam Press,
1986. 2-1/8" x 2-13/16".
Colophon: 135 copies have been printed on an Albion Press. The type
is Original Old Caslon & the paper is handmade Bodleian printed
damp. The frontispiece was engraved on wood by Rudolf Milpacher. The
binding was completed at the press. This is copy #11.
Bound in blue cloth over boards with the title on spine and a figure
on the front cover both printed in black. B20th 65.
Twain, Mark. War Prayer. New Britain: Art Press, 1991. 1 7/8" x 1 7/8".
Colophon: Published by Robert E. Massmann, New Britain, Connecticut. Printed
at Art Press. Limited to 300 copies.
Leatherette. Hand colored pictorial cover label, slipcase, hand sewn. B20th
66/2978.
Lathourakis, John P. Important Titles. Tabula Rasa Press, 1992. Gift of Robert C. Bradbury. B20th 68/1747.
Bahar, Ann. Auguste Edouart: Adventure in Shadow. Tabula Rasa Press, 1992.
41 pp. 2-1/2" x 2-3/16".
Colophon: One hundred and fifty copies of this book have been printed from
Goudy Old Style 8-point type on Rives heavyweight paper. Copy number 29.
Printed and bound by John and Gizella Lathourakis at Tabula Rasa Press. Bound
in marbled paper over boards with a brown leather spine. Title gold-stamped
on the spine. Antique silhouette endpapers. Contains four tipped in photographs
of silhouettes by Edouart. Inscribed to Charlotte Smith by Ann Bahar on June
2, 1992. B20th 71/246.
Bahar, Ann. Titaina's Palace. Tabula Rasa Press, 1995. 51 pp.
2-1/2" x 1-15/16".
Colophon: Edition limited to 150 worldwide, of which this is Number
35, signed by Ann Bahar. Written in memory of Sir Nevile Wilkinson,
Private Secretary & Bold Pen to Her Iridescence, Titania, Queen
of Fairyland.
Inscribed to Charlotte Smith by author in April of 1995. Photograph
of Sir Nevile Wilkinson used as frontispiece. Many other photographs
are used to illustrate text. Printed and bound by Tabula Rasa Press.
Bound in dark green cloth over boards with the title stamped in gold
on the spine. An illustration of a fairy balancing on a thistle is
gold-stamped onto the front cover. B20th 83/249.
