Thank you for visiting Karen Nyman Miniature Books
Book of the Week
(September 20 – 26)
A Birthday Memoir by Msgr. Francis J. Weber. Los Angeles CA: Bela and Mariana Blau, 1984
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17 pp. letterpress by Patrick Reagh; commemorates the 70th birthday of Bela Blau, one of California’s most gifted bookbinders; signed by both Bela and Mariana Blau. In addition, one copy is available signed only by Msgr. Weber, the author. Bound in paper boards and leather spine by Mariana Blau; title gilt-stamped on spine. Measures 1-7/8″ x 1-9/16″. Very fine condition.
This lovely tribute summarizes Bela Blau’s early years as an apprentice printer in Hungary, his interment in a Nazi labor camp during World War II, and his eventual immigration to the United States. In 1960, he started his own bindery in Los Angeles and 3 years later he printed his first miniature book, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Bela married Romanian-born Mariana in 1974 and together they grew their busy binding business by expanding to a new 2-story facility on South Broadway in 1975. Since then they have produced some of the finest artistic bindings in the Western United States. In addition, by 1984 when this tribute was published, the Blaus’ had bound (and sometimes printed) over 200 miniature books for Dawson’s Book Shop, Black Cat Press, Richard Hoffman and many others.
Bela Blau passed away in 1993 at the age of 78. His wife Mariana had learned the tedious job of binding books by hand and continues to this day. Since 2009, Mariana Blau has bound all of the Miniature Book Society’s publications.
Regular price is $36. This week only $29+ $4 to mail. SOLD OUT
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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 60 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 86 ~ September 2020, is now posted on the CATALOGS page
Next e-catalog: November 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.