BATHURST residents may not be able to read it, but if they look close enough, they may just be able to catch a glimpse of one of the world’s smallest books this week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The book, which is significantly smaller than a five cent coin, will be on display at Slado’s Recycled Books from today until Sunday.
Store owner Marian Clark said the miniature book, which is named The Smallest Book in The World and comes from a local collector, was produced by the Gutenberg Shop in Germany.
“From what I can find out from ringing other book dealers and having a look online, is that these books were first printed in 1952 to raise funds for the Gutenberg Museum in Germany,” she said.
The book, which measures 3.5 millimetres by 3.5mm, contains the Lord’s Prayer in seven languages, including British and American English, German, French, Spanish, Dutch and Swedish.
The unique creation is letterpress printed, thread sewn, hand bound in leather and decorated with genuine gold blocking.
“It was the smallest book at that time. I think it was superseded officially only in recent years by about three or four other books which are smaller,” Ms Clark said.
“But it is a bit of a novelty. It is definitely an art form like all books are and it just shows the connection between printing and art.”
Ms Clark said it was wonderful to see how much effort was put into making something so small.
“It was made using an incredibly small printing press,” she said. “It is pretty amazing. It would have been very time consuming and now if you want them to make a copy, I believe it is quite expensive.”
Ms Clark said the text could not be read without a magnifying glass, and she had not been game enough to open it, for fear of damaging it.
