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Book of the Week
(January 19 – 25)
Shaker Industries by Stephen Metzger and Cynthia Elyce Rubin. Charlestown MA: Butternut Press, 1977
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34 pages printed by the Meriden Gravure Company; 9 pages of text detail the history of Shakerism, founded in England in 1747 by a group of Quakers. The text is followed by 10 illustrations of popular Shaker products, each with a detailed caption on the opposite page. Designed, illustrated, produced and hand bound by Stephen Metzger in printed paper wrappers; slipcase with printed label. The style of this book is in the Shaker tradition: plain, durable and functional. Measures 2-3/4″ x 2-3/8″. A limited edition of 225 copies. Very fine condition.
The Shakers emigrated from England with an initial settlement in colonial New York in 1774. “Separated from the world, within their communities, the Shakers attained a high degree of self-sufficiency, developing the necessary industries to sustain their daily lives. Their endeavors to attain perfection in God’s kingdom on earth were reflected in the high quality of the goods produced by the community,” Metzger wrote. Beside the 10 products shown in this book, the Shakers invented the common clothes pin, circular saw, apple corer, and numerous agricultural tools. They are also known for their simple living, architecture, technological innovation, and furniture. Like this book, Shaker furniture was plain in style, durable and functional. Almost all Shaker originals are now either in museums or private collections.
At their peak in the mid-1800s, there were more than 20 Shaker communities in the United States. In 2019, there was only one active Shaker village, Sabbathday Lake, in Maine. Miniature book publisher David Serette, proprietor of Yellow Kid Press, was the resident printer of Sabbathday Lake in the 1970s and he published Shaker Peg Bored there in 1978.
Regular price is $48. This week only $38+ $4 to mail.
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Miniature books are my only business. From antiquarian rarities to modern artist books, I offer limited editions, micro-miniatures, thumb Bibles, children’s books, ABC books, books on books, etc., etc. Beautiful books of virtually every genre are available in miniature format.
On the CATALOGS page, you can view pdf versions of over 65 catalogs. My most recent e-catalogs are on this page. The e-catalogs are emailed to collectors worldwide and the books tend to sell quickly. In addition to e-catalogs, there are catalogs listed by publisher and also some specialty catalogs. It is easy to order a book from any catalog…just call or email me.
There are approximately 1,200 miniature books in my inventory… feel free to ask if you are looking for a specific book. You are also welcome to visit my miniature book library on your next trip to the San Diego area.
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Catalog 82 ~ January 2020, is now posted on the CATALOGS page
Next e-catalog: March 1, 2020
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I am a member of the Miniature Book Society (MBS). For information on joining MBS, go to the MBS WEBSITE .
Recipient of the Miniature Book Society’s Glasgow Cup Award in 2012 and the Norman W. Forgue Award in 2010.