Stanley Marcus was a book lover who wanted to work in the book industry but was pressured by his father to continue the family business. Said business became successful under him so that we know it today as Neiman Marcus. But he never forgot the inspirational teachers he had in college who passed on to him their own love for books ... so that he eventually founded the highly respected and admired miniature book publisher: The Somesuch Press. I collect his mini books but also read his various (auto)biographies to learn more about him and his passion that benefits bibliophiles today. And, as ever, gratitude to teachers who are able not just to teach but to instill passion in others.
That Was Randado by John Houston Allen (Signed by printer David Holman. The Somesuch Press, Dallas, nd but ca. 1980. 214/295). Size: 2” x 3”.
The Emperor’s New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen (1994).
Specially included is the Announcement of its publication, itself beautifully printed. The book and the Announcement are in excellent condition, as is the wraparound paper dust jacket, which has been opened. Separately inserted is a thin paper strip on which is printed “Color plates are intentionally glued to the adjacent blank pages.” In 1964 Erik Blegvad presented Marcus with a copy of his illustrated translation of this classic story of the Emperor whose illusions are punctured by a child. The Somesuch Press here has republished Blegved’s work, with a preface by Marcus, and by Andersen scholar Elias Bredsdorff, who explains how the damning conclusion was inserted at the last moment. The original color illustrations are reproduced via color xerography. This was printed letterpress and hand bound by Carol Kent in cloth with a front board medallion. This copy is number 202 of 250 copies printed.*
The Four Stumbling Blocks to Truth by Roger Bacon (1985). Size:
This copy includes a warm presentation signed by Stanley Marcus, who had this printed on the occasion of his 80th birthday. In an Introduction, Marcus explains that he was so impressed with the wisdom of the 13th century Friar Roger Bacon’s contribution to human wisdom that he had this miniature book produced for his 80th birthday. The book was designed, printed and bound by Don Greame Kelley and Susan Acker at the Feathered Serpent Press, San Rafael, California, in an edition of 250 numbered (not for sale) and 50 lettered copies, of which this is number 44. The book also contains the inscription: “To Libby and family—with fond regards on my 80th! Stanley Marcus. 4-20-85, Santa Fe.”*
The History of Imaginary Spinning Tops by Nick Bantock (1994). Size: 2-3/8" x 2.75"
Specially included is the Announcement of its publication, itself beautifully printed. The book and announcement are in excellent condition. The original rather flimsy paper dust jacket not surprisingly is lacking. The book was printed letterpress and bound in goatskin with full stamping in Austin, Texas, by Carol Kent of the Kent family of printers, in 1994. The text and illustrations (eight tipped in “imaginary” tops in full color) are by the well known Canadian author Nick Bantock, who has signed the book. This is Bantock’s first miniature book. The edition was limited to 300 copies. This one is number 237. The book is a playful literary hoax, detailing the history and some imagined makers of spinning tops, with delightful illustrations of their tops.*
Gresham’s Law: Knowledge or Information? by Daniel J. Boorstin (Signed by author, publisher (Stanley Marcus), illustrators and printers (Don Greame Kelley and Susan Acker), 1980. 80/300). Size: 2-3/8” x 2-15/16”
Christmas Stamps From Around the World (in slipcase. signed by Don Greame Kelley & /Susan Acker, 1982. 417/800). Size: 2.75” x 3”
Introduction by Belmont Faries
The Wars of the Words by Willard R. Espy (Signed by printer and binder Don Greame Kelley and Susan Acker, 1980, 38/200), Size: 2.25” x 2-7/8”
Bibliomania by Gustave Flaubert (With postcard announcement, Edition of 325 numbered copies and 25 lettered copies, signed by illustrator Dugald Stermer, 1984). Size: 1-7/8” x 2.75"
Tarot by Pedro Friedeberg (1996). Size: 2-3/8" x 2.75"
Tarot, with explanatory text by the distinguished Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg, whose 22 painted cards of the Major Arcana are reproduced in full color. The book was printed letterpress by Carol Kent of Austin, Texas and bound in occult black llama. Cover and title page are foil stamped in faceted deep red and 23 karat gold. Book and announcement in excellent condition. 150 numbered copies were available for sale in the United States, of which this is number 90. Signed by Friedeberg and Kent. The book explains the history of Tarot and demonstrates how to do a reading. The 22 reproduced Tarot cards are in full color each occupying a full page.*
On Human Rights by Carlos Fuentes (With postcard announcement, Edition of 395, 1980). Size: 2.25” x 2-7/8”
Symbol of America by Joy Goforth (The Somesuch Press, Dallas, 1986). Size: 2" x 2.75"
Certain Unalienable Rights by Barry Goldwater (1982).
Somesuch Press Miniature and Announcement. Certain Unalienable Rights is a speech delivered on the Senate floor by Barry Goldwater in 1981. Specially included also is the Announcement of publication, itself beautifully printed. The book and announcement are in excellent condition. The book is hand-printed and hand-bound by the printer/binder, Barbara Blumenthal, Catawba Press, Northampton, Massachusetts. The frontispiece portrait of Goldwater is an original wood engraving by Abigail Rorer. Blumenthal and Roger have signed this copy, which is numbered #154. The printing was limited to 250 copies. The book reproduces a speech by Senator Goldwater on the Senate floor in 1981. Why would Stanley Marcus, well know as one of Dallas’ small group of liberals, to include the conservative Goldwater in his miniature series? Probably because the speech decries the rise of one issue groups insisting that their religious opinions must prevail and politicians must follow or suffer the consequences. Goldwater says we have profited mightily as a nation by keeping religion out of politics and that is where true conservatism lies. One wonders what Senator calling him or herself conservative would dare give such a speech today.*
Howard Luck Gossage: An Extraordinary Man (w/ contributions by Herb Caen and Jessica Mitford) compiled and signed by Donald Stermer (The Somesuch Press, Dallas, 1984, 24/300). Size: 2-3/8” x 2-7/8”. Auto/Biography. Read May 15.
The Meaning of Moonlight by John Graves (1999). Size:
The Meaning of Moonlight by John Graves (1999). Size:
A previously unpublished story/memoranda by one of the giants of Texas writing, and signed by him. Specially included is the Announcement of its publication, itself beautifully printed. The book and announcement are in excellent condition. The fragile dust jacket that completely encircles the book is intact with some slight imperfections but remarkably preserved. The book was letterpress printed and bound by Carol, Susannah and Genevieve Kent of the Austin, Texas Kent family of printers. Twenty-two carat gold stamping on full buffalo hide leather binding. Limited edition of 250 copies of which this is number 28. Signed by John Graves and Carol Kent. Graves tells the story of an old stonemason, which Graves says he heard from the man in the 1930s. The man’s family came to the wilderness of West Texas as the Civil War began. He was captured by Comanches as his family was slain but he was rescued. The moonlight of the title was the moon under which the Comanches rode. Well told, nuanced, and by a Texas master. This is a rare Graves item, previously unpublished.*
Brandy Miracle by A.C. Greene (1998). Size: 2-3/8" x 2.75"
Somesuch Press Miniature and Announcement—Brandy Miracle, by A.C. Greene, a short story published here for the first time. Specially included is the Announcement of its publication, itself beautifully printed. The book and announcement are in excellent condition. The red paper dust jacket that completely encircles the book is in very good condition with some wear. The adhesive tab that closes the dust jacket is opened. The small white extension one sees at the top of some pictures is a bit of cloth bound into the spine with the number of this book (166–of an edition of 250) written on it. This tab was inserted to make it easier to take the book out of the dust jacket without opening the jacket. The book was letterpress printed and bound by Carol, Susannah and Genevieve Kent of the Austin, Texas Kent family of printers. Carol Kent has signed at the colophon. The silhouette on the cover is courtesy of the United States Marine Corps. A.C. Greene, noted Dallas author and historian, tells the story of a group of marines in China after Japan surrendered, there to take the surrender of certain Japanese units, and keep the area out of Mao’s hands. They take off into territory controlled by the Communists to find a Christmas tree, armed with brandy bottles to use themselves but that also come in handy for other purposes. They survive, but only because of the Christmas and “brandy” miracle of the title.*
Pueblo Art: Southwestern Indian Pottery by Francis H. Harlow (With postcard announcement, Edition of 395 numbered and five lettered, 1983). Size: 2” x 2.75”
Little Manuel The Captive Boy by Barbara Hofland / Carl Hertzog (1979).
The book was designed and produced by famous El Paso printer Carl Hertzog, a friend of Marcus. It is his only miniature production I believe. The story is of a San Antonio boy, Manuel, who is captured by Native Americans in the early 1800s before Texas became independent. The book reproduces, with some minor adjustments, the captivity narrative written by an Englishwoman, Mrs. Hofland, who reportedly heard ithe story from a resident of Texas. Hertzog has signed the book and numbered it #193. The printing was limited to 300 copies. Binding by Gerrard Schermer. Yale’s Archibald Hanna provides an introduction. Hertzog also appears to have handwritten in next to the original printer’s name the date of the publication he worked from, 1831. And there is a great Neiman-Marcus price sticker—clearly Marcus marketed these books as well as published them. A piece not often seen, by the finest Texas printer according to many.*
Helen Corbitt: The Balenciaga of Food by Elizabeth Ann Johnston (The Somesuch Press, Dallas, TX, 1992. 217/250). Size: 2-3/8” x 3”
Skyborne, a Ballooning Baedeker by Toby Smith (1985).
Minding the Store by Stanley Marcus (miniature of normative book, The Somesuch Press, Dallas, TX, 1975). Size: 2” x 3”
Skyborne, a Ballooning Baedeker by Toby Smith (1985).
This is number 139 of 200 numbered copies, signed by the author Smith and the printer Peter Wells. Wells printed this at Sunflower Press, Sandia Park, New Mexico. The binding is by Virginia Gannon and decoration by Priscilla Spitler. There are five tipped in ballooning stamps from various countries, including one from the United States. The text by Wells provides an interesting summary of the history of ballooning, which began with the French, provides useful detail on the types of balloons and how they are operated, gives a fascinating history of the great Albuquerque balloon festival held each October, and details the exploits, including trans-ocean flights, of some great American ballooners. Smith knows and loves ballooning.*
Tabula Terra Nova, The Admiral’s Map (1992). Size: 5-1/8" x 2.75"
Tabula Terra Nova, The Admiral’s Map, a Somesuch Press production printed in an edition of 200 numbered and 10 lettered copies by W. Thomas Taylor. Specially included is the Announcement of its publication, itself beautifully printed. The book and announcement are in excellent condition. The book consists of one large foldout page. On one side is a reproduction of The Admiral’s Map, which in 1513 carried the first printed recognition of Columbus. The other side contains an essay on the map and its maker, Waldseemuller, by Katherine R. Goodwin and Dennis Reinhartz. The book was designed and produced by Texas’ W. Thomas Taylor, who has signed this copy, which is numbered 123. Tom Taylor is at the top of the list of Texas printers, publishers and bookpeople of the last 40 years. Binding was by Campbell Logan Bindery in Minneapolis. Marcus’ announcement says he published this in 1992 in honor of 500 year anniversary of Columbus’ voyage.*
The Crossroads by Marshall Terry (1999).
There is nothing in the book itself so stating, but it has been confirmed with relevant authorities that this is one of Mr. Marcus’ productions, and there is ample internal evidence that this is so. No other publisher is stated. The style is the same as other Somesuch Press miniatures. The author, Marshall Terry, is one of Dallas’ and Texas’ preeminent authors, and spent more than 60 years associated with Dallas’ Southern Methodist University. Marcus was a Dallas native and in his miniature series published several previously unpublished short stories by Texas writers, which Crossroads appears to be. Marcus certainly knew Terry, who came to be known as “Mr. SMU” for his long and distinguished service at the university. Finally, Marcus regularly used fine press printers from all around the country. This miniature was produced in Portland, Maine in 1999. It appears to have been signed by the printer. It is certainly signed by Terry, and also by David Lazarus, a New England artist who provides some striking drawings, including dramatic end covers. The binding is in leather with a golden gun on the front cover. Terry wrote a series of novels focused on the Northways, and here we find an early Northway from Ohio part of the ill-fated Union attempt to invade Texas in the Civil War via the Red River. Captured after a battle, Northway comes into contact with some legendary Texians. Before returning to Ohio when peace arrives. This is a Somesuch miniature not necessarily included in listings of that press’ issues. It is in excellent condition and only 200 copies were printed. This is number 89.*
The Pupi of Stanley Marcus’ Collection by Maria Xenia Zevelechi Wells (Edition of 250, 1997). Size: 2.5” x 3”
* Seller's Notes
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*
Why Miniature Books (Dallas Public Library, Nov. 3, 1976. Published on the occasion of miniature books from the Collection of Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Marcus). Size: To Come
*
Normatively-sized books:
The Book Club of Texas by Stanley Marcus (DeGolyer Library / Southern Methodist University, Dallas, 1989)
Quest for the Best by Stanley Marcus (Signed. Viking, New York, 1979)
Minding the Store by Stanley Marcus (University of North Texas Press, 1974)
Normatively-sized Book with Miniature Version:
Minding the Store by Stanley Marcus (The Somesuch Press, Dallas, TX, 1975). Size: 2” x 3”
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