Mite, The. Robinson, E[rnest] A., Grimsby. Grimsby. 1896.

Mite Robinson, E[rnest] A., Grimsby. Grimsby. 1896. 28 printed pages (slightly thumbed). 5 illustrations (including Gutenberg, Fust and Schoeffer) and coat of arms opposite leaf that states "Copy accepted by Her Majesty" - a similar copy is in Queen Mary's Dolls' House Library (E.V. Lucas, 381). In 1981 Louis Bondy said" for many years the smallest English book printed from moveable type and may in fact still deserve that distinction". It covers the invention of printing, the Eiffel Tower, the annual consumption of steel for pins, and various significant dates. Originally published in 1891, "This book is issued as a curiosity and is the smallest ever printed from type in the world. The type used is Brilliant, 20 lines to the inch"-Preface. 18 x 21mm.  Original sewn, blue-green, printed paper wrappers; 'The Mite' printed on front cover with elaborate border ((some of the letterpress has been rubbed; some small brown patches on both covers). Bondy, 99. Spielmann, 376. Welsh, 5069. OCLC, 53403802. WorldCat locates 4 copies worldwide (Iowa, Indiana, and Virginia Universitity Libraries and the Library of Congress). 174 firsts2024