January 2020

The winter weather here in NJ has been just crazy mild this year, yet I know that if I did not tune up the snow blower in the fall the white stuff would have been up to the middle of the door for sure. The snow is certainly pretty to look at out the window and the children will always enjoy the day off from school for sledding and snowman building. However, I can certainly do without the cold and arduous snow shoveling. Still, Spring will be popping out of the ground sooner than we can imagine and with that the Ides Of March. It will be time to plant the peas and then rake away the debris of winter leaves, start the lawnmower, and the race is on until snow flies once again.

This issue contains reviews for six new miniature books. There is also a special review by Nina Mazzo to accompany her Miniature Book Collector series. This is topped off with a short visit with some words about Robert Massmann and his almost-magical work in the world of miniature books.

Additionally, I have included an updated ‘research resource list’ - always a good thing to keep at hand for any collector for miniature book questions and research. Thinking of research materials, Opuscula Press certainly published a few ‘books about books’. Bob Hansen was a great research person and always looking for the story behind each book.

We have taken another look at the works of Jane Conneen, who was a great book person with and excellent eye for painting views of the world through miniature books.

 Life has interrupted the flow of time here but we are trying our best to get the publishing schedule back on track. We thank you for being patient. In the meantime, please share a copy of The Microbibliophile with a non-subscribing friend or even the curator at your local library or favorite bookstore.  Then, just drop me an email message with his/her contact information and I will mail out a sample copy to keep on their desk and share with their customers.

Finally, as always, I ask that you please consider joining other contributors to our little journal by sharing your own creations, possibly your book search adventures and finds, or simply your passion for all things “bookish.” If you have an idea, but need composing help, Sherry and I are available to lend a thought or two to get your idea onto paper. Let me know of any ideas for articles of interest to you that might be explored in a future issue; I always enjoy the research and the discoveries! 

There are still a few subscribers who have failed to renew their subscription for 2020. Perhaps they have misplaced their checkbook or pen. If you are one of those folks, please take a moment to look around the house to find it and then get your check in the mail to P. O. Box 5453.  Otherwise, unfortunately, this will be your last issue. To all of you who have renewed, we wish to extend a grateful Thank you for being a subscriber and being part of the great big world of miniature books.  Your support and interest is what helps keeps this little journal alive.