UA’s Gorgas Library Offers Exhibit of Miniature Books

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Gorgas Library on The University of Alabama campus will play host to the Miniature Book Society’s national traveling exhibit from Wednesday, Feb. 15, to Sunday, April 15.

The exhibit is sponsored by University Libraries and the Alabama Center for the Book.

For centuries, individuals have been collecting miniature books.To promote knowledge of these tiny treasures, the Miniature Book Society has created a national traveling exhibit showcasing modern masterpieces as well as historic examples.The traveling exhibit also includes books from the Miniature Book Society’s annual competition.

Two University of Alabama students from the School of Library and Information Studies Book Arts Program entered the 2011 competition.Their books will be featured in the collection. Mary Elizabeth Watson’s book “Cat Talk” measures 3 inches by 2 5/8 inches. It features images hand drawn and printed from photographic plates. Timothy Winkler’s book “Jumble” is 3 inches by 3 inches. It is a letterpress book printed with polymer plates and linocuts. The design is meant to represent a chaotic “mess” of ideas. Winkler is both author and illustrator.

To accompany the exhibit, four additional display cases will feature 22 miniature books from W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library’s Book Arts Collection and information about the art of collecting miniature books.

In the United States, a miniature book is usually considered to be one which is no more than 3 inches in height, width or thickness. Earlier this year, a miniature book from 1749, “T Oranje Geslagt,” was priced at $20,000 on a bookseller’s website.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. It can be viewed during regular library hours: 7:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.  Monday-Thursday; 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 2 a.m. Sunday. For holiday closings and exceptions, go to http://www.lib.ua.edu/spring2012 or call 205/348-1416.