A tiny universe
Miniature books in Scotland
Scottish publishers have made a unique contribution to the world of small books. See some of these little marvels on display, from 18 September to 17 November.
The National Library of Scotland owns one of the world's great collections of miniature books.
Our autumn 'treasures' display features a choice selection of these micro-volumes, focusing on the output of two Scottish miniature book publishers:
- David Bryce & Son of Glasgow
- The Gleniffer Press of Paisley and Wigtown.
Collection highlights on display
Among the items on show from our collection of over 100 miniature books are:
- The two smallest books in NLS collections, one of them a copy of 'Old King Cole' measuring less than 1mm tall
- A selection of tiny Bibles from David Bryce including his 18mm tall New Testament
- A miniature Qur'an published by David Bryce around 1900
- Two unique copies of the Bhagavad-Gita from David Bryce's personal collection
- A miniature dictionary — the 'New pocket-dictionary of the English and German languages' — accompanied by an ornamental silver locket with an inset magnifying glass
- A 20 volume set of William Shakespeare's works housed in a tiny wooden replica of Shakespeare's desk which is modelled on the original in a Stratford museum. The desk is made of oak taken out of Holy Trinity Church, Stratford, where Shakespeare was baptised and buried
- The first book of the new millennium — a miniature edition of the New Testament which was officially released at midnight on 31 December 1999
- A copy of the 'Ten Commandments' measuring only 13mm tall
- A tiny pamphlet by the Gleniffer Press only 3mm tall.
Read more about miniature books in NLS collections.
See also our treasures display press release.
Treasures display opening hours
The display in our George IV Bridge Building is open daily:
Monday to Friday: 10.00-20.00
Saturday: 10.00-17.00
Sunday: 14.00-17.00
Admission free.
The treasures display is a small sample of the millions of items in our collections. We change the display several times a year.