Achille St. Onge (1913–1978) was a publisher of
miniature books from
Worchester, Massachusetts. St. Onge began publishing miniature books as a hobby in 1935, and by the time he stopped publishing in 1977, he had created 48 miniature books,
[1] which are prized by
collectors.
St. Onge's publications are known for their uniformity of size and elegance and clarity of design. He oversaw every aspect of the books, and collaborated with many prominent printers, presses, type designers, and binders. Some of these include the
Merrymount Press, binders
Sangorski & Sutcliffe, printer and papermaker
Daniel Berkeley Updike, and book designer and typographer
Bruce Rogers.[2] St. Onge published traditional, often revered texts, such as famous speeches by presidents, classic short stories and essays, sermons, eulogies, and brief biographies of famous historical figures.
[3]
A miniature book published by St. Onge was the only book taken on the
Apollo 11 mission in 1969, and was thus the first book on the moon.
[4] It was a copy of
Robert Hutchins Goddard: Father of the Space Age (1966). The book's
colophon states, "One thousand nine hundred twenty six copies of this book were printed by
Joh. Enschedé en Zonen, Haarlem, Holland, and bound by Proost en Brandt N.V., Amsterdam, Holland to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the launching of the first liquid-propelled rocket at Auburn, Massachusetts, March 16, 1926."
[5]
California on United States Postage Stamps by Francis J. Weber (Achille J. St. Onge, Worcester, 1975). Size: 2.25” x 3.25”
The Essence of Aspen by Esther K. Beamer (Achille J. St. Onge, Worcester, MA, 1976). Size: 2-1/8" x 2-7/8"
63 pages letterpress by Enschede; the author’s statements about Aspen are reflected in the outstanding design of this book: clear blue skies, very white snow and silver icicles; all edges gilt in silver
ABRAHAM LINCOLN: The Song In His Heart by Kenneth A. Bernard (Achille J. St. Onge, Worcester, MA, 1970. 2 copies). Size: 2-1/8" x 3"
Thanksgiving Day Proclamations by Wilbur L. Cross (Achille J. St. Onge, Worcester, 1963). Size: 2" x 2-5/8"
Inaugural Address of Dwight D. Eisenhower (Achille J. St. Onge, Worcester, 1954). Size: 1-7/8” x 2-3/16”
33 pages letterpress by the Chiswick Press on handmade rag-wove paper; decorative endpapers; frontispiece photograph of Ike
Robert Hutchings Goddard 1966 Father of Space Age (Achille J. St. Onge, Worcester, 1966). Size: 2" x 2-7/8"
ELEGY Written in a Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray (Achille J. St. Onge, Worcester, 1960). 27pp. Size: 1-5/8" x 2-3/8”
[One thousand copies of this book were printed using Lutetia type by Joh. Enschede en Zonen, Haarlem, Holland and bound by Proost and Brandt, Amsterdam. Paper by Cartiere Enrico Magnani Pescia (Pistoia) Italy. Frontispiece portrait of Gray is printed in olive as are the four illustrations in the tex. Bound in full blonde calf, Cover title in gold calligraphic type. Gilt edges. Frontispiece portrait of Gray, printed in olive, as are the four illustrations in the text. 45 pp. 2-3/8″ x 1-5/8″. B20th 17/123
Bonus: Literary Anniversaries 5p Stamp (1971) Thomas Gray (Death Bicentenary) included.]
Magna Carta of King John AD 1215 (1965. X/1,250). 27pp. Size: 2-1/8” by 2-7/8"
THE EULOGY TO UNITED STATES SENATOR ROBERT F. KENNEDY by Edward M. Kennedy (Achille J. St. Onge, Worcester, 1968. X/2,000). 27pp. Size: 2-5/8” by 1-7/8"
The Sermon on the Mount (from the Gospel of Saint Matthew) (Achille J. St. Onge, Worcester, 1973). Size: 1-7/8” x 2-5/8”
Notes From Four Cities 1927-1953 by David McCord (Achille J. St. Onge, Worcester, 1969). Size: 1-7/8” x 2.75”
The Addresses of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (Achille J. St. Onge, Worcester, 1977. Size: 1-7/8” x 2.75”
SHELLEY by A.C. Swinburne (Achille J. St. Onge, Worcester, 1973). Size: 1-7/7” x 2.75”
Wild Apples: History of the Apple Tree by Henry David Thoreau. Illustrations by Bruce Rogers (Achille St. Onge, 1956). Size: 2” x 3”
95pp. Tan leather with blind-stamped design and gilt title. One of 950 copies designed by Bruce Rogers. Thoreau's well-known essay on the varieties, habitats, and habits of wild apples and crabapples. One of the most sought after of St. Onge's publications, and one of only two miniature books designed by Bruce Rogers. (Massmann 14; Bradbury, p. 253)
In the United States Senate 1834 by Daniel Webster (Achille J. St. Onge, Worcester, 1952). Size: 2-1/8” x 3-3/16”
25 pages by Anthoensen Press for the New Hampshire Historical Society; frontispiece portrait of Webster; extracts from one of Webster’s great speeches of 1834 in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of his death (Notes by Karen Nyman)
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