Miniature books
A selection of miniature books is now on show at the National Library of Scotland. Referred to as the 'Shakespeare Family Bible', it contains notes of the family records and facsimiles of the entries in the parish register in Stratford Upon Avon. It has been bound in brown leather in the antique style with a ribbon page marker and titles in gilt on the spine. It slips into a brass stand that has a bust of an 18th-century gentleman, perhaps Samuel Johnson

Miniature books little bigger than a penny are on display at the National Library of Scotland.
The display celebrates two Scottish miniature book publishing houses: David Bryce of Glasgow and the Gleniffer Press of Paisley and Wigtown.
David Bryce of Glasgow (1845-1923) was one of the world’s most prolific and successful makers of miniature books, entering the book trade at the age of 17 when he was made a partner in his father’s publishing house.
He later became the sole proprietor when his father died in 1870. It was shortly after this event that he started producing the miniature books that were to make him famous.
The Gleniffer Press of Paisley and Wigtown was founded in 1967 by Helen and Ian Macdonald as a hobby private press, producing home and business stationery.
By the early 1970s the press became noted throughout the world for making miniature books, and was active in this field until 2007, when it closed after 40 years, having produced 57 different titles.
Some 13,500 little books were believed to have been hand-bound during the life of the press.
Miniature books in Scotland is on show at the National Library of Scotland until 17 November 2013, and admission is free. Find out more at the library's website.
(All images © National Library of Scotland)











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