HANDMADE BOOKS by E.R. TABIOS (for Sit With Moi)

EXHIBITED AT NORTH FORK ARTS PROJECTS: THE POLISH STOOL AFFAIR by E.R. Tabios (Meritage Press, St. Helena and San Francisco, 2013). Size: 2.5" x 3.5"



This is a series of Hand-Made Mini-Books made by E.R. Tabios in 2013 for the for the Sit With Moi's “Mini Books on Mini Chairs” Project. All books are made by E.R. Tabios but when other writers' works are used, credit is given to them and Eileen Tabios is named as editor. 

RECIPES: 3 POSTCARD POEMS by Amanda Laughtland, Edited by Eileen Tabios (Teeny Tiny – Ish Press, Seattle & St. Helena, 2013). Size: 3″ by 4.25”

MADE WITH LOVE by E.R. Tabios with book design by Susana Gardner (Meritage Press & Dusie, St. Helena/San Francisco & Switzerland, 2013). Size: 1 3/8″ x 1”

WAKE UP! by E.R. Tabios (Meritage Press, St. Helena and San Francisco, 2013). Size: 2″ x 1.75”

My First Book by E.R. Tabios (Meritage Press, St. Helena & San Francisco, 2013). Size: 2″ x 1.5”

ELEVATED LFTs by E.R. Tabios (Meritage Press, St. Helena and San Francisco, 2013). Size: 3″ x 2”

STRIKE JOY / JOY: A GLOBAL PRIORITY, Vol. III by E.R. Tabios (Meritage Press, St. Helena and San Francisco, 2013). Size: 2 2/8″ x 1.75

JOY: A GLOBAL PRIORITY, Vol. I by E.R. Tabios (Meritage Press, St. Helena and San Francisco, 2013). Size: 2.25″ x 2”

5 SKETCHES by Ed Baker, Edited by Eileen Tabios (Meritage Press, St. Helena and San Francisco, 2013). Size: 2″ x 2.75”

MAY JOY by E.R. Tabios (Meritage Press, St. Helena and San Francisco, 2013). Size: 1.75″ x 1.5”

SON LOVE ENCYCLOPEDIA by Michael P., Edited by Eileen Tabios (Meritage Press, St. Helena & San Francisco, 2013). Size: 2″ x 2”

“THE WHISPERS OF SHE WHO CALLED ME HERE …” by Leny M. Strobel. Edited by Eileen Tabios (Meritage Press, St. Helena & San Francisco, 2013). Size: 2.75″ x 2.75”

LAVENDER by Coi, Edited by Eileen Tabios (Meritage Press, San Francisco & St. Helena, 2013). Size: 2″ x 1.75”

L . by Genara Tilan, Edited by Eileen Tabios (Meritage Press, San Francisco & St. Helena, 2013). Size: 0.75″ x 0.75”

AGAIN2 by Joanne Kyger, Edited by Eileen Tabios (Meritage Press, St. Helena & San Francisco, 2013). Size: 3″ x 2”

A FISHY ? by E.R. Tabios (Meritage Press, San Francisco & St. Helena, 2013). Size: 2″ x 2”

NOTA BENE by E.R. Tabios (Meritage Press, San Francisco & St. Helena, 2013). Size: 2″ x 2.5”

SELECTED BOOK COVERS by Jukka-Pekka Kervinen, Edited by Eileen Tabios (Meritage Press / Espoo, Finland, 2013). Size: 2″ x 2.75”

LOVING DETAIL by Eleni Sikelanios, Edited by Eileen Tabios (Meritage Press, St. Helena & San Francisco, 2013). Size: 2″ x 2”

MISSING MOM, Vol. I by E.R. Tabios (Meritage Press, St. Helena & San Francisco, CA, 2013). Size: 1.5″ x 1.375”

MEMORY by Erin Virgil, Edited by Eileen Tabios (Meritage Press, St. Helena & San Francisco, 2013). Size: 2.75″ x 1.75”

WHAT REINDEER THINK by E.R. Tabios (Meritage Press, St. Helena and San Francisco, 2013). Size: 2″ x 2”

THE SECRET by E.R. Tabios (Meritage Press, St. Helena & San Francisco, 2013). Size: 2.5″ x 1.25”

POISONOUS BEAUTYSKULL LOLLIPOP by Juliet Cook, Edited by Eileen Tabios (Grey Book Press-ish, 2013). Size: 2″ x 2”

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE by Fil Tabios, Edited by Eileen Tabios (Meritage Press, St. Helena and San Francisco, 2013). Size: 1.5″ x 1.75”

THE CALL OF THE BABAYLAN MANDALA by Perla Paredes Daly, Edited by Eileen Tabios (Meritage Press, San Francisco & St. Helena, 2013). Size: 2 5/6″ x 3 1/4”

THE LAST WORDS I COULD NOT SAY by Beatriz Tilan Tabios, Edited by Eileen Tabios (Meritage Press, San Francisco & St. Helena, 2013). Size: 1.75″ x 2”

GO/DIVA by E.R. Tabios (Meritage Press, San Francisco & St. Helena, 2013). Size: 1.75″” x 2”

IF A CACTUS BLOOMS by E.R. Tabios (Meritage Press, San Francisco & St. Helena, 2013). Size: 2″ x 2”

ALPHABET: Hay(na)ku Drawings with Poem For Rimbaud by Eileen R. Tabios (Meritage Press, San Francisco & St. Helena, 2007). Size: 1 5/6″ x 1 5/6”

NOTA BENE by Eileen R. Tabios (Meritage Press, San Francisco & St. Helena, 2006). Size:  1-3/4" x 1-3/4"

DEAR GENERATION Z, by E. R. Tabios (Meritage Press, St. Helena & San Francisco, 2013). Size: 2.5" x 2.5"



BOB MAN by Bob Holman, Edited by Eileen Tabios (Coffee House Press-ish, 2013). Size: 2" x 3"



PENTHOUSE by E.R. Tabios (Meritage Press, San Francisco & St. Helena, 2013). Size: 2.5" x 2.5"




JOY: A GLOBAL PRIORITY, Vol. II by E.R. Tabios (Meritage Press, St. Helena and San Francisco, 2013). Size: 2" x 2.25"



APONG by E.R. Tabios (Meritage Press, St. Helena and San Francisco, 2013). Size: 2.25" x 2"



THE POLISH STOOL AFFAIR by E.R. Tabios (Lucidity Poetics / SitWithMoi, 2013). Size: 2.5" x 3.5"

REBLANCHEMENT by SEAN LABRADOR MANZANO

REBLANCHEMENT (Conversations at the Wartime Cafe) by Sean Labrador Manzano ("business card," 2018. 2 copies). Size: 1.75" x 3.25"

I caught up with Sean Labrador Manzano at a March 2019 reading by novelists Gina Apostol and Elaine Castillo at SF MOMA. He gave me his business card which I immediately identified as a Tiny Book as it features an excerpt from his piece, "REBLANCHEMENT" -- you can see the entire work HERE at P-QUE U E. It's powerful work, and I'm happy to shelve it. Salamat, Sean!

 

THE BIRCH BARK POEMS OF CHARLES F. LUMMIS by DUDLEY GORDON

I acquired this when I read Karen Nyman's charming description of it. Specifically, I was taken by the description of Charles F. Lummis' life which I would categorize as "Poetry as a way of life"! I'm delighted to have it:

The Birch Bark Poems of Charles F. Lummis by Dudley Gordon.  Los Angeles CA: Dawson’s Book Shop, 1969. 

27 pp. letterpress; illustrated throughout.  The story of Charles Lummis’ miniature editions, printed on real birch bark and issued from 1878-83.  They were titled Birch Bark Poems and are very difficult to find today.  Includes birch bark sample frontispiece and sewn-in covers of one of Lummis’ books.  This very informative book is illustrated with a photo of Lummis as a Harvard student in 1878 plus an additional photo taken in 1886 in Los Angeles.  It also includes a poster advertising the Fourth Edition.  The excellent 13-page text is supplemented with a list of the eleven editions of Birch Bark Poems.  Bound in printed pale green cloth boards by Bela Blau.  Measures 3″ x 2-1/2″. 

In the summer of 1878, Lummis worked at a New Hampshire resort as the hotel printer.  The splendor of his surroundings inspired him to express his thoughts in verse and to print his poems on birch bark.  He gathered strips of birch bark, set the type, did the printing and assembling and sold the volumes by subscription.  The 12-page volumes measured 2-7/8″ by 2-3/8″.  The cost: 25 cents!  Lummis used the money to pay for college.  Teddy Roosevelt was a fellow Harvard student and bought a copy for his sister.  For 40 years thereafter, Lummis and T. R. continued a respectful friendship. 

Lummis continued to produce his little book for several years and eventually sold 14,000 copies.  In later years, Lummis settled in Los Angeles, where he became known as a journalist, historian, activist, photographer, ethnographer, archaeologist, poet, and librarian.

I also became interested because of the interior images (courtesy of Karen Nyman):

O YOU OF THE COTTON PAJAMAS! by SARAH SARAI

O You of the Cotton Pajamas! by Sarah Sarai

(Forsootharian Press New York & California, 2013). 2" x 4"

This is an enchanting romp by the masterful poet Sarah Sarai. I'm delighted to have it in the Tiny Books Library!

WHAT BETTY GRABLE GAVE by IVY ALVAREZ

What Betty Grable Gave by Ivy Alvarez

(2011)

Ivy Alvarez made this Tiny Book at a 2011 bookmaking workshop in Cardiff. Here's a description of the workshop:

The workshop, held at Craft in the Bay on Lloyd George Avenue, was described thusly: "You are invited to book a place on our forthcoming creative workshops in which you can learn how to make unique miniature books with the help of artist Becky Adams."  

"Becky will be showing you how to cut and fold card/recycled papers to create small books - these may have internal sleeves for keeping things in, pop-out sections - it is really an opportunity to try out a few techniques that are are all very easy to continue with at home if you wish. The afternoon session will be open to new participants and to those wishing to make a full day of it - some of the book designs do require longer. Becky has said she is happy for people to bring along any photos, text, fabrics etc that they would like to include in their work. She will be providing a huge resource of materials for you to choose from also."

Here are images of her enchanting Tiny Book as it unfolds:

Ivy was generous enough to share the text of her poem:

What Betty Grable Gave I say a lot of things in the day I rein in at night. My hair a moon’s nimbus, a lover said. He was nice. But not enough. Even one other person can feel like a crowd. To say it is incantation: Pangasinan. Cicadas join in to chant it. Crickets. Frogs. A throaty song. Fireflies drag their nets of light. Then the sky dies to dark. Star-wash on skin crusts like salt. I bare my legs to mosquitoes. It’s not their fault they need to eat. Let them feed. I am full-blooded. And there is more of me to give.

The poem is also in her chapbook Hollywood Starlet (dancing girl press & studio). As well, the poem was translated into Spanish for the anthology Alquimia de la Sal, edited by Santiago Aguaded Landero (Amargord Ediciones).