13th
January
2004
4000 Years of Miniature Books
“Miniature books, most of which are less than three inches tall and some of which are smaller than a penny, have delighted readers for centuries. Popular because they were easily carried or concealed, these historic books range from tiny ‘Thumb Bibles’ to illustrated nursery rhymes. The earliest piece of block printing to which an accurate date can be ascribed — a Japanese wooden block print from about 770 AD — is a miniature scroll and part of the Lilly Library’s collections.”